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matt de la pena (author), christian robinson (illustrator)
matt de la pena (author), christian robinson (illustrator)
Author Qualification(s): Grew up in poverty; always felt on the outside of both Hispanic and White communities; saw picture Christian Robertson drew and was inspired by it
Illustrator Qualification(s): Raised by his grandmother in 1-bedroom home in LA shared by 6 people
Genre(s)
Genre(s)
Picture Book
Realistic Fiction
Diverse / Multicultural Topic(s)
Diverse / Multicultural Topic(s)
Poverty
Acceptance
Helping Others
Awards
Awards
Newberry Award (2016)
Plot Summary
Plot Summary
This is the story of CJ and his Nana, who ride the bus from church until the very last stop and all the people they meet along the way. Some are regulars, some they are meeting for the first time. All come from completely different backgrounds. There is the blind man, the man with tattoos up and down his arms, the pregnant woman, and the man with a guitar. Nana is kind to them all and is a living, breathing example of inclusion, acceptance, and humility, a beautiful role model for her grandson. It is a story of imagination and seeing beauty around every corner.
Connections & Representation
Connections & Representation
Students that ride the bus, live with a grandmother, or do volunteer work in a poverty-stricken area will relate to this book.
Stereotypes
Stereotypes
The nice thing about this book is that at the end, when CJ and his Nana get off the bus in the midst of a rough neighborhood, they go to the soup kitchen instead of home. This book quashes stereoptypes instead of manufactures them.
Conflicts
Conflicts
N/A
Insider/Outsider
Insider/Outsider
Other people who get on the bus are treated by CJ's Nana like Insiders. The people who visit the soup kitchen may be Insiders or Outsiders because of their different socioeconomic status, but we don't have any information about that. Based on CJ's comments about everything being so dirty, we might assume they're Outsiders.
Teachable Moment
Teachable Moment
This book teaches us how to never take a person at face value based on their appearance. Inclusion is at the heart of this book. It also encourages children to volunteer their time or money to those who are underprivileged.
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