Padma VenkatramanBesprekingen

Gr 4–7—Nine-year-old Kabir was born in a Chennai jail but is forced to leave his mother behind when he "ages out"
of the women's prison. Nearly sold into labor, Kabir escapes and joins Rani, a young girl who lives on the streets.
Together they embark on a quest to find members of Kabir's family in another Indian state. Kabir's story is densely
packed with examinations of injustice, caste systems, housing insecurity, and more, but is masterfully balanced with
epic adventure and a hopeful conclusion.

Very sad, yet hopeful book.

I have heard so many good reviews about this book and very much want to read it.

PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION
“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
Cover may vary.

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.

This book reminded me strongly of [b:Boys Without Names|6580712|Boys Without Names|Kashmira Sheth|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348712080s/6580712.jpg|6774144] which is also extremely sad. It also brought to mind [b:Bridge to Terabithia|40940121|Bridge to Terabithia|Katherine Paterson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1532478367s/40940121.jpg|2237401] (again, extremely sad, obviously). I read somewhere someone comparing it to the Boxcar Children, which made me think there is sort of a genre of stories about a ragtag group of kids hustling to survive without the benefit of caring adults. A few that come to mind are [b:Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster|37811512|Sweep The Story of a Girl and Her Monster|Jonathan Auxier|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1536675436s/37811512.jpg|59489664], [b:Homecoming|12125|Homecoming (Tillerman Cycle, #1)|Cynthia Voigt|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1390250078s/12125.jpg|213788], [b:Oliver Twist|18254|Oliver Twist|Charles Dickens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327868529s/18254.jpg|3057979], and [b:The Thief Lord|113304|The Thief Lord|Cornelia Funke|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327960342s/113304.jpg|3313414]. These range in tone from relatively lighthearted to dark and disturbing. Bridge Home has some light moments provided by the almost unbelievably resilient characters, but it's mostly very sad.

Anyway, reading this book made me snap at a family member who was complaining about a pretty minor shortcoming of a local middle school. I was like, "Those kids should be grateful they don't have to wade through pools of rotting garbage just to be able to eat." So, yeah, I would say this book may alter many a reader's perspective on life (though that changed perspective often doesn't last very long).

The book is written as a letter to the narrator's sister Rukku, who is developmentally disabled in some unnamed way (could be autism, but it's not clear and I'm no expert). There's a line in the beginning where Viji says, "Why should I write to her? It's not like I have her address." That sparked my curiosity. Where is Viji's sister? Why are they not together anymore? This ends up being a bit of a red herring because the sister is not living at some unknown address -- she dies of dengue fever. I think adults will want to prepare younger readers for a very difficult story (again, like [b:Bridge to Terabithia|40940121|Bridge to Terabithia|Katherine Paterson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1532478367s/40940121.jpg|2237401]). I once had a parent come into the library super upset because she was reading Terabithia to her kids and didn't know what was coming and they all sobbed and felt emotionally scarred. So bear that in mind.

I also had trouble with the choices that Viji has to make. Stay with an abusive parent or run away? What a horrible situation to be in -- made even worse by my feeling as an adult reader that she made the wrong decision. No, Viji, no! You absolutely cannot take care of yourself and your sister on the streets! Runaway books are very hard for parents to read.

I thought religious themes were handled really well in this book. Viji runs away from home in part because she doesn't believe she'll be rewarded for being an obedient daughter in the next life. She wants better in this life (oh, Viji! yes but no!). Later she befriends a boy who is devoutly Christian and is helped by a Christian charity. Viji is fiercely reluctant to being recruited and I love what Celina Aunty tells her. She can substitute "good" for "God" in her prayers. She doesn't have to have faith in religion, just faith in the goodness within herself.

Kabir has lived in jail since his birth, after his mother was arrested for a crime she did not commit. Jail officials discover Kabir is now too old to live there and he is turned out onto the streets. Kabir is determined to find his father who is living in Dubai so he can help get Amma out of jail. But life in jail hasn't taught him about living on the streets. Fortunately Rani, a street-savvy Roma child, befriends him and together they venture to find Kabir's grandparents. Kids who love stories with happy endings will have no quibbles with this idealistic if somewhat improbable journey with super-convenient plot twists.½

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)

-Kirkus Review

Kabir is being kicked out of prison, the only home he's ever known. He has to leave behind his mother. He never knew his father, and they haven't heard from him for years. Kabir's mom is Hindu and his dad was Muslim, so his dad never told his parents he was married. When Kabir's mom is arrested and sent to prison for stealing, never having a chance to go to trial, the family is separated.
Kabir is a character to cheer for! His dogged persistence, his way of getting a feel for people, and his openness to connecting with others including Rani, help him on his seemingly impossible journey. A touching story.

I read this for another class in the past and it was GREAT! Awesome book.

Beautiful and enchanting

This is a strong piece of work about homeless children, specifically in India. I don't know if my ARC was missing some chapters at the beginning (I have an older kindle, so this is possible) or if that part of the book is still in development. What I read was moving, heart-rending, well paced. The bonds between the street kids and the sisters were both very powerfully represented. The indifference and cruelty of many of the adults was striking. I hope this book will become an advocate piece that changes the world for the better. This an author to watch.

Book based on true accounts.

Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss.

Fifteen year old Vidya and her family, Amma, Appa, and Kitta, her brother,live in British occupied Bombay, India in 1941. She has led a carefree life unconstrained by the duties or something of young girls of her station as Brahmins. Her father, Appa, is a well-respected doctor who assists the injured in India’s struggle for independence, when he is brutally rendered brain damaged after being beaten by a British soldier at a protest march, Vidya and her family are forced to go live with her father’s family in Madras. Vidya feels responsible for this change in the family’s circumstance, especially since before the beating her father had promised that she could go to college. Her father’s older brother, Periappa, and his wife, Periamma, are very different from her parents and run a traditional household where the men are separated from the women and never eat together. They are caricatures of the evil aunt and uncle. Her cousin Malati, who is the same age as Vidya, can’t wait for her arranged marriage. While taking care of her Chinni chithi’s baby as one of her chores, Vidya sneaks up the stairs to the men’s wing and into the library. Vidya’s life revolves around school, her chores, music lessons with her cousin, the library and more chores. While in the library she meets her cousin Raman who treats her as an equal. This stiff coming of age tale in exotic India leaves many questions unanswered. For example, Appa’s character is insufficiently developed to give any indication that he would have such modern views about educating his daughter. The overuse of similes in the first half of the book is distracting.

Viji and her sister must run away from home a chance at a better life. Will they be able to survive on their own in the streets? Will they find anyone to help them? Viji feels responsible for her sister and that she must do all the work and make all the decisions, but Rukku may surprise her when given the chance.
I highly recommend this story, it will take you on an emotional journey and connect you to the many wonderful characters you meet.

Original de: El Blog del Gato - El Extraño Gato del Cuento

Sé que no soy lo suficientemente inteligente como para valorar apropiadamente la calidad de este libro, pero si alguien tan superficial como yo quedó completamente enamorada de esta historia, debería ser una lectura necesaria para todos



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A very sad subject that is never really talked about, but I feel that this was definitely toned down for the intended audience.

The story of two abused girls in India who find strength in each other's talents and figuring out ways to survive. The entire book takes place in a short amount of time (maybe 4 months). Excellent development of characters in such a short novel. Although not as face-paced as other YA novels, this one will pull at students' hearts as they grow to care about the young girls. Golden Sower nominee 2021-22.

One of the best audiobooks of my year. The author narrators this novel in verse. It is heart wrenching and beautiful. I will do more audiobooks of her work if she continues to narrators them and they are in verse. Very emotional. Very beautiful.

In this novel in verse set in India, Veda is a Bharatanatyam dancer; her father and beloved grandmother Paati support her, but her mother wishes she would study harder and become an engineer. On the way home after winning a competition, Veda is in a car accident; when she wakes in the hospital, she discovers her right leg has been amputated below the knee. Veda grieves the loss of her leg, but heals and learns to walk again with crutches and a temporary prosthetic while a visiting American doctor makes her a better one. The new prosthetic is better, but Veda's old dance teacher won't take her back; determined to dance, Veda finds a new teacher (and her assistant, handsome Govinda). As Veda relearns her dancing skills and rebuilds her life, she comes to a different, deeper understanding of dance than she had before.

Quotes

God's grace moves the mute to eloquence
and inspires the lame to climb mountains. (43)

"Some things you never get used to being without." (Paati to Veda, 51)

"To me, Karma isn't about divine reward or retribution.
Karma is about making wise choices to create a better future.
It's taking responsibility for your actions.
Karma helps me see every hurdle as a chance to grow
into a stronger, kinder soul." (Paati to Veda, 98)

"Your strength...reminds me of the demon
whom Shiva fought,
the demon whose strength doubled
whenever he fell to the ground." (Govinda to Veda, 186)

"Inside you, Veda, I sense the flame of extraordinary courage,
but not enough compassion." (Akka to Veda, 197)

"For me that feeling
of wonder, of awe, of mystery,
of being in touch with something larger,
is as close as God comes." (Govinda to Veda, 240)

She is a pebble skipping
over the surface of a lake.
As I once was.
Not a deep sinking stone that leaves widening ripples behind
after it's disappeared.
As I hope to be. (288)

"There are three kinds of love, Veda.
A healthy love of one's physical self,
compassion for others,
and an experience of God." (Akka, 296)

See also: The Sea in Winter by Christine Day, Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed

diverse middlegrade children's realistic fiction (homeless children in India)
sad story about a young girl and her little sister with autism/sensory processing disorder escaping from domestic violence and finding a new family.

middlegrade/teen fiction (realistic fic starring Hindu amputee teen living in India; very mild romance/crush, no foul language or violence or other adult situations). Novel written in verse (but not in an annoying way; kids will like how quickly they can fly through the chapters). Very relatable story despite all the differences between Veda and potential readers and a thoughtful, realistic portrayal of a "differently abled" person. #weneeddiversebooks #ownvoices

This was a really, truly, thoroughly amazing book. The only reason I gave it four stars was because it was so short! The character development with the main character was OUTSTANDING. She went from a victim of abuse, to a protective older sister, and a strong woman, despite the hardships she lived through. Though the writing style wasn't my favorite, this book really hit home. It taught me to be so grateful for everything I have, to not ask for more, and to not look down on others. I 100% recommend this book for younger children, especially if you're trying to find a good role model for them.

story about 3 men who are asked to complete a task and 2 of them do it but the last one doesnt.

I received this books as an advanced copy to review. I was very impressed with the writing and how well the characters were developed. What I enjoyed the most was how the author researched and interviewed individuals from different organizations to portray the characters, setting, and situations genuinely.

This book does a fantastic job of portraying what a life in poverty entails. I would have my students read this book when we are discussing different cultures. In a way that is appropriate for children, this book can introduce my students to some of the hardship and suffering that exists on earth. But what I love about this book is that it gives us hope for good, which is something I want my students to always have.

Source: SSYR list 2020-2021
Age Range: 10+
Evaluation of Quality: The book's setting in an impoverished area of urban India gives a glimpse into life few American children have experienced, and some heavy themes like parental abuse, homelessness, and grief are treated gracefully.
Assessment of potential use: This book would be a good pick for an independent read or a summer read for a book report.
Assessment of appeal to children: Children would feel sympathy for Rukku and Viji's plight, especially with the way the book is narrated in the 2nd person.

The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman is a YA novel that is based on the stories of real homeless children in India. The author’s mother volunteered at an organization called Concerned for Working Children and the life stories of these children were the basis for this book. The narrator is eleven year old Viji who runs away from home, bringing along her twelve year old developmentally disabled sister, when their abusive father starts to beat them. The two sisters struggle to support themselves and overcome problems of hunger, shelter and violence from others. They meet and forge a friendship with two homeless boys who help them adjust to life on the street. They also find a stray dog who makes their little family complete.

Viji always dreams of more than just surviving. Scavenging various garbage dumps barely gives the four children enough to live on. She would like to continue with her education and be able to work and provide a real home for herself and her sister. Eventually conditions deteriorate and two of the children become seriously ill. Viji realizes that she needs help so she turns to a woman who runs a shelter for homeless children and fate smiles on her as this woman is a genuinely caring and responsible person.

The Bridge Home is a thoughtful and engaging story that includes real stories about the abuse, neglect and tragedy that leaves so many children alone in the world. Most of these children survive through luck alone, trusting on their instincts to guide them. Although this book is aimed at middle grade children, I found it an interesting and moving story.