On Monday, Oct. 2, Newbery Award winning author Matt de la Peña visited James H. Boyd Intermediate School in the Elwood Union Free School District to read his book Last Stop on Market Street. This story not only finds beauty in the ordinary, but acknowledges issues of inequality—fitting in with the district’s goal of building cultural competency within their students.

Before reading his book, de la Peña told the students, “When you write a picture book, you don’t have a lot of room for words—so you have to make every one count.”

Students listened and engaged with the author as he read his book and asked the children questions. De la Peña touched upon some deep truths that caused many children to ask questions.

 “Even if you don’t have a lot, you always have something to give,” de la Peña told students. “Even if it’s just your time.”