The Bridge Home

This story read smoothly. Relatively short chapters led to natural breaks in reading. The story is sad because the children run away (for a legit reason) and have to take care of themselves. It really dives into chosen family and how kids might earn a living and survive if left on their own. I liked learning about a place that was much different than my own upbringing, too.

I’m a librarian at a grades 3-5 school in CT. I’ve read this book three times, once with a 5th grade book club and once to my husband aloud (because I couldn’t stop telling him how amazing it was). Each time, I cried in several places. Padma Venkatraman is a gifted writer. I loved the way she wrote so descriptively. It made me feel like I knew these young homeless kids. The way the orange was described when Rukku and Viji ate it was worth rereading with both my book club and husband.The author even sent my book club bookmarks and and autographed poster for each student! It was so kind of her. The students absolutely loved the book and we all cried together.The author’s note makes me love the book even more, but it also makes me sad and appreciate all I have in my life.If you are looking for a well-written and moving middle-grade novel that will linger in your thoughts for months afterwards, be sure to read this amazing book!

I suppose I expected this book to emotionally assault me more than it did, but it’s perfect for middle grade or YA readers who want to read about different experiences, but are not ready for full emotional devastation. It’s still pretty sad, though.Viji and Rukku are sisters running from an abusive household. Rukku has intellectual disabilities, but the book does a good job of drawing her as a real and capable little girl. Viji is fierce in her love for her sister and her found family and it’s an excellent book to demonstrate strong female role models in diverse situations and cultures. They manage abuse, food insecurity, homelessness, and threats from adults and other children.The most interesting part of this book is that it’s written in second person, as if in a letter to Rukku from Viji. It’s a pretty effective device, and it’s a POV that we obviously don’t see much and is not often done well.I would recommend this to younger readers and adults who are interested in reading about challenging experiences that are not too brutal.

Loved the book, but had trouble getting into the 2nd person narrator, hence the 4 stars. I'm looking forward to more of the author's books!

11-year-old Viju runs away from home to escape a violent father, taking younger sister Rukku with her into the dangerous streets of Channai in India. They make friends with two homeless boys, and the four scavenge to scratch out a living...until sickness hits, and Viju is faced with a decision that could either make or break them all.It's been a while since I read a middle grade book I enjoyed this much. With engaging action, it's also full of heart and intelligence. The author doesn't write down to her young readers, or protect them, or her characters, from the grit and grime of life's underbelly, yet the value of resourcefulness and kindness is what shines through.

Another winner from Padma Venkatraman! This book tugged at my heart, and I could not put it down. The story of the 2 sisters Viji and Rukku, their will to survive against all odds, their closeness and love for each other, and their adventures in Chennai, with Arul and Muthi who become like a family to them is beautifully told. The characters are so well portrayed. The daily struggle of the 4 homeless children, as rag pickers to get some food to eat, and a place to sleep made me cry. The relationship between them, as it grew stronger and closer made me smile. It left me wanting to know more about them and wonder what their path ahead would hold for them.

This is a beautiful book. It is full of love and hope and kindness and GOODNESS. The characters are well developed and easy to fall in love with. Bring a tissue as your heart will swell and your eyes will leak. At least mine did.

This book was so fantastic, I absolutely loved it and would totally read it again! It’s probably the best book I’ve ever read. When I was done reading it it left me so speechless I loved it and Amazon shipped it to my house very fast. Overall I definitely recommend it to maybe to people 11 and up but go by this book and read it, it was so good!

Chegou muuuuito rápido e em perfeito estado! Super bem embalado! Recomendo!

This is the story of Viji and Rukku, runaway sisters from an abusive father; and Muthu and Arul, orphans who've found support in each other, as they build a home across the bridge and dream for a better future. Not only does the book give us an insight into the struggles of these street children, but it also paints a portrait of their bright and philosophical minds.<i> "I don't know how you live without dreams.""The only way I can get through each day," Arul said quietly, "is by not thinking of all those tomorrows." </i>The author tackles several issues including abuse, child employment and education, religion, and mental health, along with friendship and love. She deftly weaves all these themes into a single narrative and brings it to life with her lucid yet vivid writing style.<i> And they were so beautiful, those little flames, dancing in that still, silent church, dancing like they could hear music. Like they were alive. Alive the way you were alive, alive right there, right then... </i>After Slumdog Millionaire, if there is a story that portrays the world of Indian street children with honesty and hope, it is 'The Bridge Home!'

This book was to be the in class reading that my son's teacher choose for the grade 7's. I opted to buy it to read along.Sadly the class opted out, but I thought it was a wonderfully written book. An insight to a different culture, and vastly different opportunities, and lack of them for the 'heroines' of the story. They weren't so heroic, but yet brave in their own way as they still enjoyed life and friendship along with the hardship and squalor.The book is part fact and fiction, based on the authors own meetings with children with similar stories.

日本のアニメにたとえたら、『ホタルの墓』って感じです。そう、悲惨なんです。ラストに希望が薄っすらと見えますが。。。でも、これくらいインドではホームレスの子どもたちが苦しい思いをしているということですね。いろいろな問題を提起する良書ではあると思います。

É uma dificuldade colocar esta nova geração apreciando uma boa leitura, este livro ajuda muito.