She completely embodies the injunction from Deuteronomy 11:19 to pass along the words and the ways of God to her grandson, “talking about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.” Nana answers CJ’s string of grumblings about the things he doesn’t have and the things he’s not allowed to do with echoes of Paul’s admonition to the Philippians (4:8) to think about “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely…” Fortunately, Nana does not take on the preaching tone that St. Although she never once mentions the Lord by name, she leaves her church service on Sunday and heads directly into the world to serve those in need. Theological Conversation Partners: Nana is a woman who puts feet and hands and voice to her faith. The book pictures people of all hues, shapes, ages and sizes. Nana, though, knows that they are wealthy in ways that count, including the treasure of interesting friends and the ability to share what they have. CJ yearns for a car, a bike, and digital devices. How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story? One of the points of this lovely story is that CJ and Nana are not rich in consumer goods. Why don’t you ask the man if he’ll play us a song?” The story’s uncomplicated plot and the reader’s delight in Nana’s buoyant personality develop at the same easy pace. CJ covets an iPod that he spies with a couple of teenagers Nana points out the man with a guitar nearby: “You got the real live thing sitting across from you. CJ whines that his buddies never have to go anywhere after church Nana responds that she feels sorry for the boys that don’t get to meet their special soup kitchen friends. CJ grumbles that they don’t have a car like his friend Colby Nana retorts that they get to ride a bus that breathes fire. Literary elements at work in the story: De La Peña develops the characters of Nana and CJ by letting the reader see how they react to a series of simple encounters on an afternoon after church. On their long bus ride to the end of Market Street, Nana and CJ meet all sorts of interesting people, and CJ ends the story taking his place behind the serving table with a happy heart. Where CJ experiences boredom, though, Nana feels possibility and joy. “An exceptional book on kindness and the diversity of life, ‘Last Stop on Market Street’ is first-rate.Summary: CJ is getting tired of spending every Sunday afternoon helping at a soup kitchen with his nana. The book is a good reminder that often the journey is just as important as the destination.”-St. ““ artwork is reminiscent of the great Ezra Jack Keats. “A celebration of the joys of service, the gift of grandmothers and the tenderness a city can contain.”–Newsday “The urban setting is truly reflective, showing people with different skin colors, body types, abilities, ages, and classes in a natural and authentic manner… A lovely title.”-School Library Journal But it’s also the warmth of their intergenerational relationship that will make this book so satisfying, for both young readers and the adults sharing it with them.”–New York Times With this final detail, Last Stop on Market Street provides a gentle twist, letting readers in on the secret Nana and CJ have known all along: They’re on the way to help others who have even less. His cityscape is diverse and friendly, without neglecting the grittiness: litter, graffiti, security grilles and a soup kitchen-CJ and Nana’s destination. “Robinson’s simple shapes, bright palette and flat perspective belie a sophisticated use of acrylic and collage. Nominated for the 2016 Kentucky Bluegrass Award Nominated for the 2016 Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award The Huffington Post Best Overall Picture Book of 2015Ī Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2015Ĭhosen for the New York Public Library’s 100 Books for Reading & Sharing ListĪ Miami Herald Best Children’s Book of 2015Ī Raleigh News & Observer Best Children’s Book of 2015Ī San Francisco Chronicle Holiday Gift Guide PickĪ Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature “Best Multicultural Books of 2015” PickĪ Scholastic Instructor 50 Best Summer BookĬhosen for the ALSC 2015 Summer Reading ListĪ Horn Book Summer 2015 Reading List PickĬhosen for School Library Journal’s 2015 Top 10 Latin Books ListĪ Kansas City Star Thanksgiving 2015 Roundup PickĢ015 E.B. A New York Times Book Review Notable Children’s Book of 2015Ī 2015 Publishers Weekly Best Book of the YearīookPage’s “2015’s First Must-Read Picture Book”
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