Last Stop on Market Street Book Review

 















1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

De La Pena, M. (2015). LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET. Penguin.  ISBN: 9780698173347


2.  PLOT SUMMARY

This picture book is about a little boy and his grandmother taking the bus on a Sunday home from church. CJ is full of questions and complaints, while his grandmother is full of wisdom and answers. 


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The characters in Last Stop on Market Street, CJ and Nana, give a wonderful insight into the grandparent/grandchild relationship. CJ is young and full of questions for Nana, including why do they have to ride the bus and why do people have more than them? Nana is a strong influential character and plays a large role in raising CJ. The characters of CJ and Nana are of Latinx descent. They have a darker hue of brown, curly hair, and a textured quality. The other characters on the bus and the street reflect Latinx, African American, and Asian backgrounds. They are also diverse in their clothing and depictions of passengers.   

The setting of the story is integral to the plot as well as a Latinx depiction. The urban setting is diverse and represents the culture. The neighborhood is seen through the bus, which includes the market street, the barbershop, and the soup kitchen. 

The references to the Latinx culture are woven throughout the book in thoughtful ways. First is the strong family ties to the extended family. CJ is the grandson to Nana. The bond is apparent, as she offers wisdom to CJ. Nana points out the beauty and value in simple, everyday things in their neighborhood. This also shows how Latinx communities help others within and beyond their own.  Many in this culture rely on public transportation, especially in the city. The diversity of people in the neighborhood and on the bus shows readers that there is racial diversity within several communities. It is depicted in a way that is lively and creates a sense of connection. Religion is touched upon not in such a blatant way, but subtly, as we know that they are coming from church and heading to the soup kitchen. Nana points out that they help others in need. 

The illustrations help bring to life the Latinx community. Large murals on the buildings depict people in a variety of settings. The diverse characters are expressive in their designs, showing emotions even the youngest of readers can recognize. The barbershop, and other city storefronts create a familiarity. The boldness of the colors is similar to Latinx artwork.   


4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

  • Booklist, 02/01/15

  • Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, 02/01/15

  • Caldecott Honor, 2016

  • Christian Library Journal, 03/01/16

  • Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, 2016

  • Horn Book Guide starred, 10/01/15

  • Horn Book Magazine starred, 03/01/15

  • Kirkus Reviews starred, 11/01/14

  • Library Media Connection, 09/01/15

  • New York Times, 01/18/15

  • Newbery Medal, 2016

  • Publishers Weekly starred, 10/27/14

  • School Library Journal, 11/01/14

  • School Library Journal starred, 08/01/15 *


Full-Text Reviews

Booklist (February 1, 2015 (Vol. 111, No. 11))

Preschool-Grade 2. CJ and his nana depart church and make it to the bus stop just in time to avoid an oncoming rain shower. They board the bus, and while CJ is full of questions and complaints (why don’t they have a car? why must they make this trip every week? and so forth), Nana’s resolute responses articulate the glories of their rich, vibrant life in the city, as presented by the bus’ passengers and passages. A tattooed man checks his cell phone. An older woman keeps butterflies in a jar. A musician tunes and plays his guitar. At last the pair arrive at the titular destination and proceed to the soup kitchen where, upon recognizing friendly faces, CJ is glad they came to help. Robinson’s bright, simple, multicultural figures, with their rounded heads, boxy bodies, and friendly expressions, contrast nicely with de la Peña’s lyrical language, establishing a unique tone that reflects both CJ’s wonder and his nana’s wisdom. The celebratory warmth is irresistible, offering a picture of community that resonates with harmony and diversity.


  • 5. CONNECTIONS

Castillo, L. (2020). NANA IN THE CITY. Findaway World, Llc. ISBN: 9781094259666

Buitrago, J. (2012). JIMMY THE GREATEST! Groundwood Books Ltd.  ISBN: 9781554982066


Activities:

Students can research their neighborhood and give a presentation on it.




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