Last Stop on Market Street

Title: Last Stop on Market Street

Bibliographic information:

Author: Matt de la Pena

Illustrator: Christian Robinson

• • Hardcover: 32 pages
  • Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (January 8, 2015)
  • Language: English

Reader's Annotation:

CJ doesn’t understand why he and his Nana don’t have all the wonderful things that so many other people do.  But his Nana shows him all the many things that they do have to appreicate around them.  

Interest Level: Ages 4-6

Lexile level: AD610L

Awards, if applicable:

Winner of the 2016 Newbery Medal

A 2016 Caldecott Honor Book

A 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book

A New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of 2015

A Wall Street Journal Best Children's Book of 2015

Plot summary: This book follows C.J. and his Nana as they leave Church on Sunday. As they travel, CJ asks his Nana, “Why don’t we” have or do things that he sees others with.  And his Nana gently points out all the many advantages that they do have, and shows him how what all he can be grateful for.  

Critical review: There are very few books that deal with class and poverty in a way that is interesting and sympathetic for a younger reader.  This is one book which shows the financial and cultural divides between people in such a way that it is sympathetic but not threatening to younger readers.  The art is especially worthy of note; it shows a highly diverse world populated by many different individuals.  

Why include it?

This gorgeous book is a window and a mirror for children - rich and poor, using excellent prose and striking illustrations.