The Bridge – Bill Konigsberg, Scholastic, (9781338325034), 2020
Format: Paperback arc
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 3.5
Genre: Realistic fiction
What did you like about the book? Aaron is standing on the George Washington bridge getting ready to jump to his death when he sees a girl about to do the same thing. She looks at him and jumps. He is so shaken that he does not jump, instead going home to re-examine his life. In the next section Tillie is ready to jump off the George Washington bridge but when she sees Aaron do so, she does not. The third possibility is both teens jumping at the same time. Scene four is neither teen jumping but instead becoming friends, helping each other. Characters have plenty of time to realistically develop. Aaron’s Dad, Tillie’s little sister, Brit, the ex-friend who pushed her to jump in the first place along with the boy who dumped her. Aaron’s big dream of becoming famous as a singer/songwriter. This is an intimate examination of the depression and lonliness that accompany teen suicide.
Anything you did not like about the book? I felt Aaron’s story went on too long and easily could have been shortened for more impact.
To whom would you recommend this book? High schoolers who are interested in suicide and the myriad of reasons behind it.
Who should buy this book? Public and high school libraries
Where would you shelve it? YA fiction
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No.
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Katrina Yurenka, Retired Librarian, Manager, Youth Services Book Review
Date of Review: 9/9/2020
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