Picture Book Perfection #1

Last Stop on Market Street 

Written by Matt De La Pena

Illustrated by Christian Robinson

Published by the Penguin Group in 2015

Genre: Picture Book, Fiction, Children's Literature 

Number of pages: 32

Overview

   CJ and his grandmother take the bus every Sunday after church. One day, CJ starts to wonder why. Why they have to wait for a bus, why they don't have a car, why the man next to them on the bus can't see, and many other "whys". Each question is met with an inspirational and encouraging answer by his sincere grandmother. Throughout their journey, she helps CJ discover what is beautiful and wonderful in their diverse neighborhood. 

   Christian Robinson does beautifully simplistic illustrations. His work shows the colorful and diverse setting around the characters as they ride through town. The illustrations throughout the pages represents many different types of characters; white, black, elderly, young, blind, tattooed, disabled, etc. Students will be able to identify multiculturalism, diversity, and individualism. 
   

“An exceptional book on kindness and the diversity of life, ‘Last Stop on Market Street’ is first-rate.”

—Philadelphia Eagle

“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

Lesson & Activity

Content Area: Literature - Key Ideas and Details

Standards: Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson. [RL.1.2]

Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details. [RL.1.3]
Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media. [SL.1.2]

Model: Read the entire book out loud to students twice with no interruptions.

Guide and Scaffold: After reading the book out loud to the students the first time, ask them about what questions they may still have. Tell them to think about those questions while reading the book to them the second time. 

Discussion: Conduct a picture walk through the book and ask students to discuss what happens in the beginning, middle and end of the story. Have students pair up and retell the story to their partner. Tell them to talk to their partner about people in their life, like the grandmother, who help them to look at the good in every situation. Discuss elements of diversity and multiculturalism.  

Activity: Instruct students to make a "Shutter Book" to show their understanding of the stories elements in a creative and colorful way. Ask them to include characteristics of the characters and settings in the book that make them unique.

Shutter Book example:

Reading Level: Grades 2-4

Interest Level: Grades K-3

Sources: 
https://www.weareteachers.com/second-grade-reading-comprehension-activities/
https://alex.state.al.us/standardAll.php?grade=1&subject=ELA2015&summary=2
http://resources.corwin.com/sites/default/files/Figure_4.8.pdf