Last Stop on Market Street

Last Stop on Market Street

Author: Matt De La Peña

Illustrator: Christian Robinson

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Major Awards: Newbery Medal, Caldecott Honor

Grade Level: Pre-K-3

Summary: In this book, CJ and his nana go from church to the soup kitchen, where they volunteer together. On the way there, CJ asks many questions and has a pessimistic attitude because he wants what others have. For example, two boys get on the bus with an iPod, and he says that he wants one. CJ's nana, however, helps him find beauty in the world around him. She responds that he has the real thing right in front of him as a man plays guitar and sings for the passengers. During this book, CJ learns that beauty is about perspective and that it can be found in all places...you just have to look for it. My favorite quote from this book is "He wondered how his nana always found beautiful where he never even thought to look." It sums up the message nicely and reveals his nana's wisdom.

Evaluation: This is by far one of my favorite books that I have read for this blog so far. I love the author's style, the beautiful illustrations, the message...all of it! I will definitely have this in my class and use it often!

This is a wonderful book to read aloud to young children. The vocabulary and grammar structures used will help them become better at oral communication and reading. The pictures are captivating, so I think older children would enjoy it as well. I also think this is a good book for young readers who grow up in the city or in a multicultural area, such as Houston, because they can really relate to the story.

Not only could this book be used to teach that beauty is all around us, but I think it is a perfect book to teach students how to use imagery and adjectives! Specifically for adjectives, I think it would be fun and memorable if I read it once without using any adjectives and then read it again as it is. This would show students how much of a difference they have in their own writing and speaking. It would also teach them to love reading and language.