Summary:
Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don't own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them.
This energetic ride through a bustling city highlights the wonderful perspective only grandparent and grandchild can share
My review:
Last Stop On Market Street is one of those beautiful books that seem to make a lasting impression. I immediately wanted to read this book over from my first reading. I wanted to catch those little tidbits that sometimes you miss from a first read.
I could relate having to ride a bus and wondering, like CJ, why I did not have another means and why I did not have certain things. However, the Grandmother in the book was very wise and saw things in such a different way that me, the reader, saw through her eyes too. The author made you feel like you were traveling along with them and participating in the environment.
Nearing the end of the book, I felt saddened because it seemed like these two had circumstances beyond them. However, the twist was surprising and lovely too. Of course, I will not spoil it but only encourage you to purchase a copy for yourself.
The illustrations are bold and colorful. Again, I was immersed into the book because of the writing but the illustrations as well. They were real and I loved them!
This book is by far the 5 stars I will give it. Don't believe me? Then let the awards this book one stand for its testament.
Winner of the 2016 Newbery Medal
A 2016 Caldecott Honor Book
A 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book
A New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of 2015
A Wall Street Journal Best Children's Book of 2015
Disclosure: I was gifted this book by a friend and was honored that she had the book signed for me by the author. This reader is grateful!
~M.M. aka Naila Moon
Summary:
Using original slave auction and plantation estate documents, and In his gentle yet deeply powerful way, Ashley Bryan goes to the heart of how a slave is given a monetary value by the slave owner, tempering this with the one thing that CAN’T be bought or sold—dreams. Inspired by the actual will of a plantation owner that lists the worth of each and every one of his “workers”, Bryan has created collages around that document, and others like it. Through fierce paintings and expansive poetry he imagines and interprets each person’s life on the plantation, as well as the life their owner knew nothing about—their dreams and pride in knowing that they were worth far more than an Overseer or Madam ever would guess.
My review:
This has got to be one of the most compelling children's book I have ever read. The book starts off with hearing from the plantation owner and why she is going to sell. Then the meat of the book begins with the first person's name, age, and story, as well as how much that person is "worth" on opposite pages. The next spread tells of his/her dreams.
I have known, as is possible for me, about slavery and the injustice of it but when I saw a bill of sale, my mouth dropped. I am not talking about something that was made up by the author but a tangible bill of sale. Seeing this made it real and shows the lack of human compassion. Wow!
The eleven human beings in the book were real, the lived, and had no life but had dreams. This is where the author used his power of writing to create those dreams for people who could only hope for such a thing, a voice for the powerless. The author's pen gave them a life, a life they would not have had from the bill a sale.
Not only did the author give them their voice but he also created their looks. He is the one who illustrated the book with collage and painting of each person. These are all in browns, blacks, and beige tones. Their dreams are alive with color and hope.
That was the whole purpose of the book. To make these people human in the eyes of the reader. He accomplished his goals and then some.
This book should be in every library and classroom. If I could, I would give this book much more than the 5 stars I can only give.
If you are not convinced by my review, the book has won the following:
Newbery Honor Book
Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book
Disclosure: I obtained a copy of this book from my local library. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from your opinions. ~M.M. Hudson
