This story is about CJ and his grandma, who teaches him to see the beauty in places people may not easily see. Every Sunday after church CJ and his grandma take the bus, but he sees his friends drive home in a car. He questions why they don’t have a car, why they must take the bus, and why his neighborhood isn’t as nice as others. His grandma, who is full of wisdom, teaches him to appreciate all things and how to see the importance of his own community. She teaches him joy, kindness, and gratitude, which celebrates uniqueness and diversity. This story highlights the importance of valuing different perspectives and experiences, which is a powerful tool to teach children. It encourages them to celebrate diversity within their own communities.

As a group, we selected Last Stop on Market Street because of its powerful message about noticing and appreciating the world around us. Through the journey of CJ and his grandmother, the story gently encourages readers to see beauty in everyday moments and to value the differences that make people and places unique.

For multilingual learners, this book offers an opportunity to explore themes of empathy, gratitude, and perspective. As CJ begins to notice the richness in the people and environments he once overlooked, readers are invited to do the same—recognizing that everyone has a story worth hearing and something meaningful to contribute.

We believe Last Stop on Market Street supports classroom goals of fostering curiosity, acceptance, and appreciation for diversity. It helps all students—multilingual learners and their peers—embrace the idea that our differences enrich our communities, and that there is always something valuable to be found when we take the time to look closely.