The Family Under the Bridge: A Newbery Honor Award Winner

I really enjoyed this book. I bought it for myself when I read the reviews and summary. It takes place in Paris. The framing of it within that context gives the characters and scenes charm. There are simple pictures looking gand drawn in shades of black and grey.The story involves and "old tramp" as reference to by the children who they decide to pretend is their grandfather. He comes "home" to his place under the bridge, the only free place to stay in Paris, to find 3 small children. He tries his best to not like these "starlings" and their once white dog. He tells them he isn't a tramp as he could work if he wanted. The children, dog and working mother were put out by their landlady as they could no longer pay the rent after their dad died. They live in fear of being taken away from each other and sent to a home for poor children. And families stay together. The old man tells them they have a new home by putting him out of his home just like their landlady did them. The children draw a rectangle for him for his room in the space under the bridge. He is given a small square on front of the rectangle as a window for him to see the river. Thus begins the story...Quickly one begins to view being "homeless", as stated in the book, and what is a "home" in a very different ways. My assumptions and questions about living under a bridge with children or as an old man start to crumble as the story begins to form. I think you will be interested in these new relationships. Does the old man warm to the children, dog and mother? How do their relationships morph? Does the family remain without a traditional home or are the children sent to a home? How has the old man's life under the bridge changed over his lifetime and why is he really living under the bridge? Oh so many questions... most importantly, how does your perspective of people living under a bridge change?I find this a great learning tool with so multiple discussion topics for any age or for oneself. It captured me quickly and will have a longterm impact upon my thinking. I have volunteered for organizations supporting people living under bridges, on the street, in tents, in parks, on and on. Yet, this still brought questions to my assumptions and perceptions especially with families. The topic is so important today and historically for all ages.I recommend this book!

Great book I read in school as a child I got this to add to my homeschool and just story book collection for my son who is 4 now. its not enough pictures to keep him engaged fully yet but we made it 4 chapters in one day before he was done checked out completely-- that was just a kind of test to see if he was ready for it and i know know hes not but i love the story and it paints a vivid picture for a child you also get to explain new things to them some words we just dont use so its a good for vocabulary growth and a classic i would say. My son already is putting the story together and feels sympathy for the children and knows Armand does have a heart etc . Its cute to see father christmas introduced as well since we never call him that around here my son has already learned so much from just one go at it i will be reading it many times until hes able to himself in the future.

Another good book.

Good

A sweet, but non-patronizing story of a French tramp who grumpily comes to love a family of homeless children and their mother. Of course, there are some instances of “period language” surrounding his Roma friends and unhoused people in general, but a wonderful redemption story for Christmas and lots of loving details about mid-century Paris. A great read-aloud chapter book for young children.

I read this in 4th grade. Almost 30 years later i still remember it fondly.

Gift for Christmas

Read this my 10 and 6 year old children and they loved it so much that we could have read it in one sitting if I hadn't been trying to get them to bed on time. We are focusing on the character trait of "Gratitude" and this book really helped us embrace the idea that no matter how little we may have as individual people, we always have something to share with others and that in sharing and being generous with others, we gain unexpected things. Sweet, heartwarming, a bit sad at moments, but overall a lovely family read aloud.