Last Stop on Market Street (2015)

Goodreads Review:
"Sometimes when you're surrounded by dirt, CJ, you're a better witness for what's beautiful."

CJ begins his weekly bus journey around the city with disappointment and dissatisfaction, wondering why he and his family can't drive a car like his friends. Through energy and encouragement, CJ's nana helps him see the beauty and fun in their routine.

This beautifully illustrated, emotive picture book explores urban life with honesty, interest and gratitude.

Last Stop on Market Street has won multiple awards and spent time at the number one spot in the New York Times Bestseller List.

This book shows a young boy named CJ as he and his nana wait for, and then ride the local bus. CJ is quite curious about why they have to wait for the bus, why they don’t have a car, and what others around him have, and his differences.

His nana shares nothing but positivity with him and the other bus patrons. She is kind, considerate and welcoming to all around her, showing CJ what fantastic role model and person she is in the community. One of her most notable quotes in the book is “Sometimes when you’re surrounded by dirt CJ, you are a better witness for what’s beautiful”.

This book is inclusive, showing a black family, in an urban environment (presumably, since they are riding a bus), and promotes community and social connection with others. This book shows a diverse group of people, and answers questions that young children may have about their own lives and experiences.

The illustrations throughout are full page spreads, showing a realistic and colorful depiction of the neighborhood, and bus experience. This is a wonderful read for young children, and can allow for children to feel seen and understood. ( )

This book is about CJ who take the bus with his grandmother every time after church to the local kitchen. As he keep questioning to his grandmother why they have to take the bus and why they can't ride in a car. Why other kids can ride in a car and we keep having to go to a certain place. Why the street is so dirty compare to others. His grandma carefully explain everything to him and tell him to appreciate and learn to love the environment he is in. How he can witness multiple different people and the environment that they are in. This is a great book because many students can feel relatable and this is a good book to educate other students that not everyone has the same financial and family situation like theirs. ( )

This picturebook covers a trip that CJ takes with his grandmother after church. They take the bus and interact with several diverse passengers along the way, ending up at a soup kitchen where CJ and his grandma serve food. The biggest thing I notice about this story is how it normalizes an experience that many kids may not identify with, if they are not from a city, or are unaccustomed to spending time is poverty stricken areas or performing charity. Another important message in this story is when you realize that CJ and his grandmother are likely not much better off financially than the patrons of the soup kitchen they volunteer at, but CJ's grandma makes a point to CJ about how those kids that are better off never get to meet any of the people that they do on the bus or at the soup kitchen. By talking about poverty without moralizing about it, this book makes a space for kids to find themselves in it without feeling ashamed. ( )

A beautiful story about seeing the world through positive eyes! ( )