80 pages • 2 hours read
Padma VenkatramanThe Bridge Home
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman tells the story of Viji and Rukku, two sisters who escape their abusive father and find themselves in a seaside Indian city, where they form a makeshift family with two homeless boys, Arul and Muthu. The children navigate hunger, danger, and societal prejudice while grappling with questions of faith, future, and family. The narrative addresses physical abuse, poverty, illness, and childhood death.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Padma Venkatraman's novel, The Bridge Home, has garnered praise for its poignant narrative, well-developed characters, and vivid depiction of street life in India. Reviewers commend its emotional depth and powerful themes of resilience and friendship. However, some critics note that the heavy subject matter may be distressing for younger readers. Overall, it remains a compelling and heart-wrenching read.
Who Should Read The Bridge Home?
Readers who would enjoy The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman are typically middle-grade audiences who appreciate heartfelt, character-driven stories about resilience and camaraderie. Fans of Wonder by R.J. Palacio and Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan will find the novel's exploration of adversity and friendship compelling.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
680LBook Details
Realistic Fiction
Indian Literature
Children's Literature
Poverty
Grief / Death
Trauma / Abuse / Violence
Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality
Society: Class
Relationships: Siblings