Viji and Rukku are finally free. Running away from home had become a necessity as their drunken father had begun to beat not only their mother but them too. Viji was used to people scorning her little sister who has special needs, but this was the last straw. She wanted her mother to leave with them, or at least protect them better, but she refused, scared to leave with nowhere to go.

Leaving with little to eat or spend, Viji quickly realises how hard life on the streets of Chennai (lower east coast of India) is going to be. Fiercely protective of Ruuku and proud to boot, Viji finds a place they can call home on an abandoned bridge. Two boys have already made a shelter there and although suspicious at first, the girls are soon welcomed.

A place to stay is one thing, but something to eat and drink is something else. The girls are introduced to the world of scavenging the endless piles of the cities waste dumps, scouring through the slimy, filthy, disgusting garbage for glass, metal and clean cardboard.

Proud Viji is horrified how far she has lowered them, even lower than the caste they were born into. Only thoughts of Rukku’s wellbeing and happiness get her through it. After all, Rukku has her own skills to bring to their new life. Viji has always known her little sister was not as ‘useless’ as life had labelled her.

The boys Muthi and Arul, have been kind, and they also meet adults who try to help them, but proud Viji refuses for them to be seen as beggars. She was once a clever student at school and wishes to return. They just have to get on their feet. Kindness is sparse though and through no fault of their own, they are soon left with barely anything again. To make things worse, monsoon season isn’t far away. Suddenly Viji’s pride is worth nothing compared to the life of her beloved sister.

Written as a story from one sister to another, it is also a way of her coming to terms with what happens. The bravery, positivity and kindness in this novel set on the streets of India is astounding. Daily life is a battle – against hunger, bullies, lack of shelter, suspicion and India’s caste system, but these characters keep their faith, their humour and even a positive outlook on (nearly) all that befalls them. At least until disaster strikes.

What’s even more heartbreaking is that these circumstances are true for many children not only in India, but across the world. The Bridge Home is sobering, heart-wrenching and a window into less fortunate lives. It is a reminder to appreciate what we have – as some have so very little. Loved it.

Author – Padma Venkatraman

Age – 9+

(India, Poverty, Trash, Rubbish heaps, Scavengers, Caste, Friendship, Pride, Beggars, Bullies, Rich and Poor, Faith, Education, Dreams, Siblings, Sisters)