Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don’t own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them.
This energetic ride through a bustling city highlights the wonderful perspective only grandparent and grandchild can share, and comes to life through Matt de la Pena’s vibrant text and Christian Robinson’s radiant illustrations.
-Description from Amazon.com
About the Author
Matt De La Peña is the author of the Newbery Medal winning picture book Last Stop on Market Street. Matt received his MFA in creative writing from San Diego State University.He writes young adult novels that feature working-class, “multicultural” characters. He currently teaches creative writing and visits schools and colleges throughout the country. Source: penguinrandomhouse.com.
Read Aloud Tips
- Talk about the author of the book.
- Discuss the cover, title and illustrations.
- Point out the award winning medals and what they mean.
- Have students make connections from the book information to their own life.
- As you read, stop and ask higher order questioning skills: Compare & contrast, argue, defend, judge.
- Always stop periodically and ask a prediction question like “What do you think will happen next?’
Additional information
For a preview of the book, please go to goodreads.com and search for Last Stop on Market Street. Things to Talk About and Notice: What is the “Last Stop on Market Street”? What are CJ and Nana doing there? What is a soup kitchen? Who eats there? Why is CJ upset at the beginning? How does his mood change? Why? Notice how he goes from complaining to noticing beauty, but also from wanting things to appreciating people. Source: carolhurst.com. Visit for a full teacher’s guide and talking points and activities connected to the book. Visit commonsensemedia.org for a full book review and comments from educators and parents.