Last Stop on Market Street
by Matt de la Peña
Every Sunday after church CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today CJ wonders why their lives are different from his friend Colby and the older boys on the bus. Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma who helps him see the beauty of the world around them.
Reading Tips for Little Learners
Read with fun in your voice
Build vocabulary by focusing on and talking about new words.
Connect the story to your child's world.
Ask your child questions about the book and encourage them to ask questions.
Make reading part of your everyday routine.
When you read the words, whenever possible, act them out too!
Hold the book so your child can see the pictures.
Make the plot come alive by discussing the illustrations.
Phonemic Awareness
When introducing the book, share the title and notice these phonemic elements:
The first letter of the word “Market” is Mm. This letter says the sound /m/, /m/, /m/, like in milk, monkey, and money. Let’s say that sound together: /m/, /m/, /m/. Point to the Mm in the title. Read the title together, emphasizing the sound /m/.
Ask the children to say the word after you. Show them the cover of the book and have them read the word out loud with you as you point under each word.
Vocabulary
Pool: To collect into a pool of liquid
Patter: To make a series of quick, light tapping sounds
Zip: To move or act quickly with energy
Lurch: To move suddenly or unsteadily
Pluck: To grab with the fingers and pull off
Swirl: To move around in a spinning motion
Slice: To divide into slices
Questions to Discuss
How do you know this book is set in an urban (city) setting? How is the setting different or the same as where you live?
Why do you think CH's grandmother takes him on the bus every Sunday instead of taking a car?
What is the difference between wanting something and needing something?
How does CJ's attitude change throughout the story?
What does CJ's grandmother mean when she says, "Sometimes when you're surrounded by dirt, CH, you're a better witness for what's beautiful"?
Talk about a time when you have wanted what someone else has.
How does CJ's grandmother help him see the beauty and fun in their routine?
Let's Play
This activity will help your child make connections to the text, which helps children improve comprehension.
Pretend you are riding a bus with your child. Set up chairs or pillows or paper to represent the seats on the bus.
Pretend that you are CJ and Nana. What do you see out your window?
Now, be yourselves. Pretend that you are on a bus ride through your city. What are some landmarks you pass? Comment on what you see and its connection to your life.
“Wheels on the Bus” is a fun song to sing along the “ride!”
