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.

Independent Reading Level: Grades K-3rd
Awards: Newbery Medal (2016)
Caldecott Honor (2016)
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor (2016)

Independent reading level grade 3
John Newberry Medal 2016
Caldecott Medal 2016

This book is appropriate for primary readers.
This book is about a young boy who travels on the bus with his grandma.
This book would be useful in teaching about the importance of community.

This book follows a boy and his grandmother on a Sunday afternoon taking a bus to the last stop. This is something they do every week and they see and talk to the same people on the bus. Later we find out that they are going to volunteer their afternoon at the soup kitchen. I think this is a good book to have in the classroom library for first or second grade. This could also pair well with a lesson on serving others and spreading kindness.