ParentsPick

The Bridge — Content Guide for Parents

By Bill KonigsbergScholastic, Incorporated2021-09-07ISBN 9781338325041400 pages
The Bridge

Themes present

Violence
Sexual identity
Gender roles
LGBTQ+ themes

Not found

Scary contentReligious themesRacial/cultural contentProfanityClimate change

Content themes

Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.

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Religious themes

PRESENT

Contains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.

About this book

Two teenagers, strangers to each other, have decided to jump from the same bridge at the same time. But what results is far from straightforward in this absorbing, honest lifesaver from acclaimed author Bill Konigsberg.

Aaron and Tillie don't know each other, but they are both feeling suicidal, and arrive at the George Washington Bridge at the same time, intending to jump. Aaron is a gay misfit struggling with depression and loneliness. Tillie isn't sure what her problem is -- only that she will never be good enough.On the bridge, there are four things that could happen: Aaron jumps and Tillie doesn't.Tillie jumps and Aaron doesn't.They both jump.Neither of them jumps.Or maybe all four things happen, in this astonishing and insightful novel from Bill Konigsberg.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is The Bridge appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    The narrative addresses the serious topic of teen suicide, depicting the emotional turmoil and consequences surrounding it. The portrayal is raw and honest, emphasizing the impact of such decisions. No scary content detected in the book's narrative based on the search results.

  • Does The Bridge have violence?

    The narrative addresses the serious topic of teen suicide, depicting the emotional turmoil and consequences surrounding it. The portrayal is raw and honest, emphasizing the impact of such decisions.

  • Does The Bridge have scary content?

    No scary content detected in the book's narrative based on the search results.

  • Does The Bridge have religious themes?

    No religious content detected in the book's narrative based on the search results.

  • Does The Bridge have racial/cultural content?

    No race or racism themes detected in the book's narrative based on the search results.

  • Does The Bridge have profanity?

    No profanity detected in the book's narrative based on the search results.

  • Does The Bridge have climate change?

    No climate themes detected in the book's narrative based on the search results.

  • Does The Bridge have sexual identity?

    The book includes themes of sexuality as the characters grapple with their identities and the implications of their feelings, though explicit sexual content is not detailed in the search results.

  • Does The Bridge have gender roles?

    The book explores how conventional ideas about masculinity affect young men, suggesting a critique of traditional gender roles. It addresses the pressures faced by the characters in relation to their identities.

  • Does The Bridge have lgbtq+ themes?

    The book features a touching love story between two gay teens, set in 1987 New York during the AIDS epidemic. It explores themes of sexuality and the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, normalizing their experiences.