Newbery Award Winner

The Newbery Award is given out each year to the most distinguished book in children's literature.  The Newbery Award has been given annually since 1922.  This year, however the winner of the Newbery Award made history for two reasons. This year's winner was the first picture book to be awarded the honor and the first Hispanic author to win.

Matt De La Pena's book Last Stop on Market Street is well deserving of the honors it has won.  De La Pena tells the story of a young boy, CJ, who is leaving church with his nana.  We quickly learn that this little boy might come from less money than some of his friends because he is waiting for the bus in the rain while his friends are driving away in cars.  The entire bus ride down Market Street CJ learns small life lessons from his nana like how the blind man may not see with his eyes but he can see the world with his ears and nose.  He sees two boys get on the bus with iPods and is envious, but Nana reminds him that real live music is better.  The bus finally made it to CJ and Nana's stop and CJ complained about the dirt.  Nana once again imparted wisdom on his telling him, "Sometimes when you're surrounded by dirt, CJ, you're a better witness for what is beautiful." Then CJ and Nana walk into the soup kitchen to serve lunch to all the people.  A great story with a theme that tells us to find the beauty in our surroundings and circumstances.

Happy Reading!
Laura

More books to check out by Matt De La Pena: