Last Stop on Market Street, De Le Pena & Robinson / Realistic Fiction

Title: Last Stop on Market Street
Author: Matt De La Pena
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Awards: Newbery Award, Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book
Age: 1st-6th Grade

Summary:
A young boy and his grandmother leave church and board a bus. The young boy, CJ, is asking many questions to his grandmother who is continuously answering them patiently and politely. CJ and her meet an variety of characters on their bus ride and he learns to appreciate the lessons his grandmother teaches him. They arrive at a soup kitchen and CJ tells his grandmother that despite all he's complained about he is glad they came.

Illustrations:
The art of this book is a distinct style, almost like cut outs of paper. It is beautifully done with vibrant color. Robinson stays true to the form and style of the story's gritty city feel by illustrating so much personality into each character on the page.

In the classroom: 
This book tells a lovely tale of a young boy and his questions about his life and the life of the city around him. His grandmother's polite lessons shape his view and would benefit any student reader. The moving message of this book would be an asset to any classroom.