Have you ever felt so responsible that you want to take care of your siblings, all by yourself? Well, in the book, The Bridge Home, by Padma Venkatraman, Viji and her younger sister, Rukku, live in Chennai, India with their mother and father. They used to anyway, when Viji and Rukku’s father broke their mother’s arm, on purpose and almost hurt the girls. Viji decides to take her sister on a journey to find freedom and family. But, what they soon realize, is that they have no money or shelter. That is, until they stopped at a bridge where they met Arul and Muthu, also homeless. The four of them become a family, built a home on the bridge, had real jobs as garbage pickers, and got paid. Rukku’s rare talent for making bracelets out of beads really helped too. During this journey, they meet a fairly adorable dog, the kind wife of a tea shop owner, and Aunty Celina, who helps homeless kids. During this journey, many sacrifices have to be made for one another. Will Viji and Rukku achieve their dreams? Will the four stay as family forever? Read The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman to find out.
