THE BRIDGE HOME by Padma Venkatramen

The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman

India, Homelessness, Child Labor, Survival, Families

194 pages

Description

Booklist starred (February 1, 2019 (Vol. 115, No. 11)) Grades 5-7. In India, 11-year-old Viji and her 12-year-old sister, Rukku, run away to Chennai after their violent father strikes out at them. Unprepared for living on the streets, they befriend two homeless boys: Arul, who lost his family in a tsunami, and Muthu, who escaped from a so-called school where he was confined and forced to work. Together they pick through garbage dumps for glass and metal scraps to sell, sleep on an abandoned bridge, and form their own family. Rukku’s intellectual disability has made her dependent on Viji, who gradually learns that her sister is more capable than she had thought. When Rukku and Muthu fall ill, Viji makes tough decisions in hopes of saving their lives and later must cope with her grief before she can move on. The four children and their tight-knit relationship are portrayed with conviction and finesse. Written in the form of a letter from Viji to her sister, the affecting narrative transports readers to a faraway setting that becomes vivid and real. Although the young characters face unusually difficult challenges, they nevertheless find the courage they need to move forward. The author of A Time to Dance (2014), Venkatraman offers an absorbing novel of love, loss, and resilience.

My Comments This book is one of those rare finds that you can give to almost anyone. It brings alive the plight of children in heartbreaking circumstances, but also how the human spirit can often prevail. Absolutely love this one.

 

CRENSHAW by Katherine Applegate

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

Fantasy, Cats, Homelessness, Poverty

245 pages

Description
Publishers Weekly (June 22, 2015)
Although he is "not an imaginary friend kind of guy," rising fifth-grader Jackson recognizes Crenshaw immediately. The cat, who walks on two legs and likes purple jellybeans, first appeared to Jackson three years ago when his family was living in their van. Although life has been stable since then, Jackson notices "Big piles of bills. Parents whispering. Parents arguing. Stuff getting sold." When he asks his parents if they have "a plan for making everything okay," they respond with evasive answers like "maybe they could plant a money tree in the back yard." Newbery Medalist Applegate (The One and Only Ivan) poignantly conveys Jackson's memory of hunger and homelessness and his realization that both threaten his family again. Certain that he has outgrown Crenshaw, Jackson feels both dismay and wonder that his friend has returned, with his playful, attention-getting antics (taking bubble baths, doing cartwheels and handstands) and thought-provoking answers to Jackson's questions. This accessible and moving novel demonstrates how the creative resilience of a child's mind can soften difficult situations, while exploring the intersection of imagination and truth. Ages 10-14. Agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

My Comments
A heartbreaker, but in a gentle way. This is the kind of book that helps the reader truly feel the insecurity and loneliness of poverty, and understand that falling into poverty is not always in a family's control. Jackson's family is loving, but they have to make painful choices. Beautifully written. An important book. So, so important. Recommended for everyone.

 

THE BRIDGE HOME by Padma Venkatramen

 

The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman

194 pages

Fiction-India, Homelessness, Child Labor, Survival, Adventure, Friendship, Family

Lesson Plan available

 Description
Kirkus Reviews starred (December 15, 2018)

"Venkatraman’s middle-grade debut tackles sisterhood, chosen families, and loss. Eleven-year-old Viji and her sister, Rukku, flee their abusive father after he breaks Amma’s arm and kicks Rukku. They find themselves, overwhelmed, in the big city of Chennai, where they are temporarily employed by kind Teashop Aunty, who offers them bananas and vadais, and fall in love with a puppy, Kutti, who becomes their constant companion. The sisters meet Muthu and Arul, two boys who live under an abandoned bridge, and join them; Viji tells Rukku elaborate stories to reassure herself and her sister that they will be OK. Soon, Viji finds herself telling the young boys her stories as well; in return, the boys show the girls how to earn money on the streets: by scavenging for resalable trash in a very large garbage dump Muthu calls “the Himalayas of rubbish.” When tragedy strikes, it is this new family who helps Viji come to terms. Craftwise, the book is thoughtful: Venkatraman employs the second person throughout as Viji writes to Rukku, and readers will ultimately understand that Viji is processing her grief by writing their story. Viji’s narration is vivid and sensory; moonlight “slip[s] past the rusty iron bars on our window”; “the taste of half an orange…last[s] and last[s].” The novel also touches on social justice issues such as caste, child labor, and poverty elegantly, without sacrificing narrative. A blisteringly beautiful book. (Fiction. 10-14)"

 

My Comments

Venkatraman writes a heartbreaking story through the eyes of a young girl who is trying to survive homelessness on the streets of Chennai, India while taking care of her developmentally challenged sister. The writing is indeed vivid and sensory as mentioned in the Kirkus review. She portrays the stark contrast of wealth and poverty. Chennai is a fashionable city, ranked the ‘best city in India in 2014 which makes this story all the more heartbreaking, but also so full of love, healing, courage, and triumph.

 

“Chennai is ranked as a beta-level city in the Global Cities Index,^[32] and was ranked the best city in India by India Today in the 2014 annual Indian city survey.^[33][34] In 2015 Chennai was named the "hottest" city (city worth visiting and worth living in for long term) by the BBC, citing the mixture of both modern and traditional values.^[35] National Geographic mentioned Chennai as the only South Asian city to feature in its 2015 "Top 10 food cities" list.^[36] Chennai was also named the ninth-best cosmopolitan city in the world by Lonely Planet.^[37] In October 2017, Chennai was added to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) list for its rich musical tradition.^[38] More than one-third of India's automobile industry being based in the city. Home to the Tamil film industry, Chennai is also known as a major film production centre. It is one of the 100 Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under the Smart Cities Mission.^{[39]” (}

-Wikipedia

THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS by Ann Braden

Realistic Fiction, Poverty, Families, Debate Teams

Description

From Follett

Seventh-grader Zoey Albro focuses on caring for three younger siblings and avoiding rich classmates at school until her fascination with octopuses gets her on the debate team and she begins to speak out.

NPR Best Book of 2018,

Bank Street List for Best Children's Books of 2019,

From the Publisher

Some people can do their homework. Some people get to have crushes on boys. Some people have other things they've got to do.

Seventh-grader Zoey has her hands full as she takes care of her much younger siblings after school every day while her mom works her shift at the pizza parlor. Not that her mom seems to appreciate it. At least there's Lenny, her mom's boyfriend--they all get to live in his nice, clean trailer.

At school, Zoey tries to stay under the radar. Her only friend Fuchsia has her own issues, and since they're in an entirely different world than the rich kids, it's best if no one notices them.

Zoey thinks how much easier everything would be if she were an octopus: eight arms to do eight things at once. Incredible camouflage ability and steady, unblinking vision. Powerful protective defenses.

Unfortunately, she's not totally invisible, and one of her teachers forces her to join the debate club. Even though Zoey resists participating, debate ultimately leads her to see things in a new way: her mom's relationship with Lenny, Fuchsia's situation, and her own place in this town of people who think they're better than her. Can Zoey find the courage to speak up, even if it means risking the most stable home she's ever had?

This moving debut novel explores the cultural divides around class and the gun debate through the eyes of one girl, living on the edges of society, trying to find her way forward.

My Comments

Five stars, truly fantastic, great book for reading groups and class discussions. This book offers a lot to think about and brings awareness to the fact that some students face tremendous obstacles everyday to succeed in school and life.