Reviews

The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson

drmbumpy's review

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3.0

An interesting book that highlights different perspectives about homeless people and gypsies. Set in France there are some cultural elements as well. My son and I read it for school work and enjoyed it. Definitely sparked conversations about lying, stealing, working hard, rewards of working, helping others, etc. can't decide on 3 or 4 rating.

leslie_maughan's review

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3.0

I was a bit emotional at the end, but overall I didn’t love it. Sweet story but nothing that really stood out for me to make it great.

A few lines I did love:

“Armand ... thought that this woman’s trouble was pride, and that pride and life under the bridge weren’t going to work out well together.”

“And you’ve been doing a lot of talking about families sticking together. Well, we’re all God’s big poor family, so we need to stick together and help each other.”

wintermote's review

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emotional lighthearted sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

A sweet story with a happy ending.

E read in 2nd grade so I read so we could discuss.  

melissariggs's review

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5.0

Very sweet story that would make a great read-aloud at Christmas time. I read it in about an hour at home.

"This is the delightfully warm and enjoyable story of an old Parisian named Armand, who relished his solitary life. Children, he said, were like starlings, and one was better off without them.
But the children who lived under the bridge recognized a true friend when they met one, even if the friend seemed a trifle unwilling at the start. And it did not take Armand very long to realize that he had gotten himself ready-made family; one that he loved with all his heart, and one for whom he would have to find a better home than the bridge."

kerriokiereads's review

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lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

yoshi13's review

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3.0

The book was charming, but not very intriguing. There wasn’t that “it” factor that drew me on. It was a leisurely read than the “I can’t put it down” read. It definitely mirrored the story of the Christmas Carol for me in some ways.

mariannehb's review

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It was boring. I expected it to be more moving. 

maliafay's review

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2.0

*Elijah’s rating and review*
2 stars. Hey, 2 stars is pretty good for a book that was really boring. And it was. It was soo boring. One star because it was boring, but I will give it another star because at least it wasn’t very long.

bpmeyers81's review

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5.0

Another great book to read at Christmas time! Such a sweet story of letting people into your life.

everydayreading's review

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3.0

I thought I'd read this one, but when we finished it, I had zero memory of it. It's cute and quick, but not one that I just LOVED.