The Bridge Home

Read the most by: boys and girls

Life is tough on the teeming streets of Chennai, India, as runaway sisters Viji and Ruku quickly discover. For cautious-minded Vinji, 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 bridg 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.