MMGM: The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman
ABOUT THE BOOK
Life is tough on the teeming streets of Chennai, India, as runaway sisters Viji and Rukku quickly discover. For cautious-minded Viji, this is not a surprise - but she hadn't realized just how vulnerable she and her sister would actually feel in this uncaring, dangerous world.
Fortunately, the girls find shelter - and friendship - on an abandoned bridge that's also the hideout of Muthi and Arul, two homeless boys. The four of them soon form a family of sorts, sharing food and supplies and laughing together about the absurdities of life. And while making their living scavenging the city's trash heaps is the pits, the kids find plenty to take pride in, too. After all, they are now the bosses of themselves - and are truly hoping to keep it that way.
Padma Venkatraman's moving survival story brings to light the obstacles faced by young people n many parts of the world, and is inspired by the children she met during her years in India. Her heroic characters will touch readers with their perseverance and unwavering love for each other.
REVIEW
This heart-breaking yet powerfully told story really resonated with me. Maybe because I work with children myself and see the challenges they sometimes have to confront. But despite the difficulties that Viji and Rukku face being homeless and having to live on the streets the book is surprising hopeful. Viji refuses to give up on her dream of becoming a teacher despite now spending her days pawing through garbage just to make a tiny bit of money to buy food. Viji and Rukku's relationship grows and changes as Viji learns to see her sister in new ways (Rukku has developmental or neurological disabilities of some sort, not specified in the book). And the way the girls become family with Arul and Muthi keeps the book from becoming too depressing which it very easily could have done. It was still challenging though to read about the children wading through hip deep garbage and sewage for hours only to be taken advantage of by the waste man who buys from them. Arul's religious beliefs combined with their difficult circumstances makes for an interesting side plot. Unfortunately, living as they do it's impossible for the children to avoid tragedy and Viji is left heartbroken and guilt-stricken. But with the help of her adopted family and a new source of hope, she finds a way to carry on. An incredibly touching story based on the real life experiences of children in India. Eye-opening and empathy inducing.
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