Last Stop on Market Street

Bibliography

De La Pena, Matt. 2015. Last Stop on Market Street. Ill. By Christian Robinson. New York, NY: G. P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN 0399257748

Plot Summary

Much to his dismay, CJ rides the bus every Sunday after church with Nana. He questions Nana about why they have to take the bus instead of owning a car. He wonders why he can’t play like the other kids after church. He wonders why he doesn’t have an iPod like the older kids on the bus. Each time that CJ presents a question, Nana is ready with a wise response. She encourages CJ to appreciate and see the beauty in the world around them. When they reach the last stop on Market Street, they are greeted by dirty, rundown buildings and make their way to the soup kitchen. When CJ sees the familiar faces, he tells Nana that he is glad they came.

Critical Analysis

Last Stop on Market Street is the story of CJ, a young boy, and his Nana. While taking their weekly bus ride to the soup kitchen, they encounter many different people. The book does an excellent job of showing the diversity of people that might live in the city, from a blind man and his dog to a tattooed musician. Children can relate to CJ’s curiosity and constant questioning. You can tell that the story is modern due to the appearance of the musician and the mp3 players.

In the book Nana uses personification to bring the city to life for young CJ. She implies that the tree is thirsty when she says that it is drinking through a straw. Then when he complains about riding the bus, she describes the bus as breathing fire, like a dragon. I believe that she gave this description in an attempt to make the bus seem more fun to CJ. This concept is driven home by the fact that there is a picture of a dragon on the side of the bus.

The detailed illustrations do a good job of showing the interactions between the characters in the book. They are colorful and help the reader visualize the bus environment. They show a diverse group of characters, which helps to drive home the author’s message. The diversity of the characters if evident by the multiple skin tones shown in the illustrations. The book also embraces visual impairment and explains that despite being unable to see with his eyes, the man is able to “see” through sound and smell.

Throughout the story, Nana tries to instill an attitude of appreciation in her grandson. Despite his constant questions, she refocuses him on what is important in life. Even though the bus passengers come from all walks of life, they are all able to enjoy and appreciate the impromptu concert. The reader walks away with the understanding that different people understand the world in different ways. The book drives home the idea that poverty doesn’t mean unhappiness. This is especially evident when the beautiful rainbow is over the soup kitchen. It serves as a beacon of hope in the dirty, rundown part of town. By the end of the story, CJ realizes that he is lucky to have the opportunity to go to the soup kitchen to volunteer.

Awards

2016 Newbery Medal

2016 Caldecott Honor

Review Excerpts

School Library Journal: “The urban setting is truly reflective, showing people with different skin colors, body types, abilities, ages, and classes in a natural and authentic manner.”

Newsday: “A celebration of the joys of service, the gift of grandmothers and the tenderness a city can contain.”

Connections

*Use this text as an introduction to a discussion about diversity.

*Play music and have students draw what they think the music looks like.

*Other picture books about diversity:

·         Shannon, George. One Family. ISBN 0374300038

·         Kim, Patti. Here I Am. ISBN 1623700361

·         Manushkin, Fran. Happy in Our Skin. ISBN 0763670022