Across the Alley

Written by Richard Michelson · Illustrated by E.B. Lewis

Two boys secretly bond over baseball and music, but can they reveal their friendship in daylight?

4.4 Goodreads · 200 ratings

32 pages· ~620L

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon.

Bookroo's summary

In old-time Brooklyn, Abe and Willie are secret friends, sharing baseball tips and violin tunes across the alley at night. By day, their friendship is hidden due to racial and cultural divides. When Abe's grandfather discovers their secret, the boys face a pivotal choice: will they have the courage to bring their friendship into the light? As they navigate the challenges of prejudice, their story unfolds with the tension of a big-league game and the harmony of a shared melody. Can their bond withstand the scrutiny of the world around them?

From the publisher

Abe and Willie are next door neighbors. During the day they don’t play together, because Abe is Jewish and Willie is black. But at night, when nobody is watching, they’re best friends.

All summer long, Abe and Willie open their windows across the alley to play catch. Abe lends Willie his violin and Willie show Abe how to throw a real big-league slider. Then one night, Abe’s grandfather catches them–will Abe and Willie have the courage to cross the alley and bring their friendship out in the open?

Set against a backdrop of old-time Brooklyn, Michelson’s stirring prose captures both the fun and danger of having a secret best friend.

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