Along for the Ride
"CJ's chest grew full and he was lost in the sound
and the sound gave him the feeling of magic"
In the two weeks since the ALA Awards were announced, one very special picture book has suddenly found itself showered with accolades and thrust in the center of attention. This book, which was somewhat overshadowed in the past year, received not only a Caldecott Honor, but - much to the surprise and even shock of many kid lit enthusiasts - the highly coveted 2016 Newbery Medal as well. The book to cause such a stir is Last Stop on Market Street. Written by Matt De La Pena and illustrated by Christian Robinson, this book was nationally recognized for its story content along with the illustrations, and, after a thoughtful read, it's not difficult to understand why.
It is no surprise that this book was acknowledged and hailed for its art. Christian Robinson, who was once again given the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor this year along with the Caldecott Honor, has certainly made a name for himself recently in the world of children's literature. Robinson's distinctive and expressive art has been celebrated in the award-winning books Gaston and Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker. Here he applies his stylistic illustrations once again to complement and enhance the story of CJ, his bus ride across the city, and his diverse interactions along the way. True to Robinson's approach, while the illustrations as a whole are rather simple, the attention to detail is incredible. Children reading this book will be able to relate to the sheer ordinariness that they themselves experience every day in their own daily routines. From the street signage to the handheld devices, CJ's world is very obviously the world of today. The vibrant colors and appealing textures are also worth pointing out. With just a few strokes of his brush, Robinson creates a world that is beautiful and very much believable.
Perhaps what makes this book so special is the fact that the words and the story itself are as high quality as the wonderful art. Much like the illustrations, the story appears simple at first glance. It takes a second or third reading to truly discover the depth of meaning being conveyed here. To begin with, the language is magnificent. There is an almost musical pulse to the words when spoken aloud. In fact, some of the lines unexpectedly rhyme and many phrases are incredibly sensory: "Crumbling sidewalks and broken-down doors, graffiti-tagged windows and boarded-up stores" and "The outside air smelled like freedom, but it also smelled like rain." These perfectly chosen words by De La Pena paint pictures in the mind that are as vivid as Robinson's illustrations.
Upon initially hearing the premise, one might be immediately reminded of another Caldecott Honor book. After all, this story is also about a young boy, his "nana", and their experience in the city. And yet, that is where the similarities end. Last Stop has its own story to tell, and it is certainly distinct from what has already been done. Here, we follow CJ along for the ride as he discovers the simple joys of living, the gift of giving to others, and the beauty that is found in human interactions. The book's title is a fitting one, as the majority of the story takes place for the duration of a bus ride across the city. It is not until the last two pages that we actually realize where CJ and his grandmother are going, but by then, we - like CJ - have already been reminded about the things in life that are truly important.
Nana is an incredible character, and readers just might find that her gentle rebukes to her grandson resound with them as well. She is obviously not wealthy (they don't have a car and CJ points out things that he wishes he could have), but she teaches her grandson to appreciate ordinary beauty, to experience the communal nature of music, and to understand the importance of service to others. Matt De La Pena says he drew inspiration for this story from his own upbringing. "You can feel like you've been slighted if you're growing up without, if you have less money," he's commented, "or you can see the beauty in that. And I feel like the most important thing that's ever happened to me is growing up without money. It's one of the things I'm the most proud of." This backdrop is felt throughout the book and will certainly resonate with kids across the country who find themselves in similar situations to De La Pena and CJ.
I find the end page of Last Stop to be particularly profound. While waiting for the bus to come pick them up and take them back home, Nana is knitting, CJ is shown reading a book, and the rain has definitely stopped. Knowing what we now do, it is easy to imagine that Nana is making a scarf for a homeless person. CJ is reading, perhaps aloud to her. It is a subtle yet appreciative nod to the critical role that reading played in changing De La Pena's life and is a striking, meaningful scene that clinches the overall message of the story.
Last Stop on Market Street is undeniably beautiful. The vibrant art, the melodic words, and the significant story all come together for an unforgettable experience that takes multiple readings to truly appreciate. However, the question which has been raised since the ALA conference is this: does Last Stop deserve the Newbery Medal? After all, it was a completely unexpected choice and the children's literature community continues to debate why this book should or should not have won the prestigious Medal. In the end, that is something each reader will have to decide for themselves. But consider this: the Award is given each year to the most distinguished contribution to children's literature. Past Newberys have communicated relevant messages, showcased different lifestyles, and featured strong characters. Last Stop on Market Street most certainly does all of these things. And, while most Newberys need hundreds of pages to accomplish all of this, Last Stop does it in 32.