The Bridge Home
The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman is a reprint edition published by Penguin on April 14, 2020, featuring 208 pages in English. This novel presents the story of four homeless children navigating life in the challenging streets of Chennai. Runaway sisters Viji and Rukku quickly realize the dangers of their new reality, but they find solace and companionship on an abandoned bridge, where they form a makeshift family with two boys, Muthi and Arul.
Readers will find a narrative that explores themes of survival, resilience, and the bonds of friendship amidst adversity. As the children scavenge for a living, they experience both the harshness of their circumstances and moments of joy and pride in their newfound independence. The story delves into the complexities of their lives, particularly when illness threatens their fragile freedom, prompting Viji to confront the difficult choice of seeking help from outsiders. This edition invites readers to reflect on social themes related to family and the realities faced by homeless youth.
Official synopsis Publisher
“Readers will be captivated by this beautifully written novel about young people who must use their instincts and grit to survive. Padma shares with us an unflinching peek into the reality millions of homeless children live every day but also infuses her story with hope and bravery that will inspire readers and stay with them long after turning the final page.”–Aisha Saeed, author of the New York Times Bestselling Amal Unbound
Four determined homeless children make a life for themselves in Padma Venkatraman’s stirring middle-grade debut.
Life is harsh in Chennai’s teeming streets, so when runaway sisters Viji and Rukku arrive, their prospects look grim. Very quickly, eleven-year-old Viji discovers how vulnerable they are in this uncaring, dangerous world. Fortunately, the girls find shelter–and friendship–on an abandoned bridge. With two homeless boys, Muthi and Arul, the group forms a family of sorts. And while making a living scavenging the city’s trash heaps is the pits, the kids find plenty to laugh about and take pride in too. After all, they are now the bosses of themselves and no longer dependent on untrustworthy adults. But when illness strikes, Viji must decide whether to risk seeking help from strangers or to keep holding on to their fragile, hard-fought freedom.
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