Last Stop on Market Street

Last Stop on Market Street | Realistic Fiction | Matt de la Peña | Coretta Scott King; Newbery Medal; Caldecott Medal | ages 3-5 | 

CJ begins to question why they don't have a car, or why he doesn't have a music device, and why he has to go to the soup kitchen, when other kids and people don't have to. His nana with patient and a positive eye answers all of his questions to make him realize he isn't missing out, because he already as it all. CJ soon comes to this realization and is glad things are the way they are for him. 

This is a short seven minute book that you could read to a preschool to first grade classroom. It talks about a boy living a realistic life who goes to church with his grandma, rides the bus, and goes volunteering with his grandma. Even if in your classroom no one can relate, they can learn about the different lifestyle others have and can compare their life to CJ from the book. (This can be an activity, or not, depending on how comfortable your students feel about sharing). I would use this book in my class because I feel just reading about a boy who may make students feel they're not alone is good!