A Bridge to the Stars
Random House Children's Books · Paperback · August 11, 2009
This poignant novel explores how a unilateral decision can change a life.
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- Who it’s for
- A quiet, searching novel about family absences, unanswered questions, and the strength Joel finds within himself.
- Themes
- Family abandonment, Uncertainty, Inner strength
- Genres
- Coming of Age, YA Stories About Parents, YA Animal Stories
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Start with this bookAbout this book
This poignant novel explores how a unilateral decision can change a life. Two things are hard for Joel Gustafson to cope with: not knowing why, and not being able to do anything about it. Joel’s father was once a sailor who lived by the sea. Joel’s mother once lived with them. Joel’s father abandoned the sea. Joel’s mother abandoned Joel and his father. While looking out his window one night, Joel sees a lonely dog on the street.
Continue reading
Joel spots the animal again and begins sneaking out night after night, trying to find it. During these nocturnal outings, Joel discovers aspects of life he has never imagined. And then one night he discovers that his father’s bed, too, is empty. As Joel investigates his father’s mysterious absences and continues to search for the dog, he discovers his own inner strength and learns about adult disappointments and needs.
Nighttime Discoveries
A quiet, searching novel about family absences, unanswered questions, and the strength Joel finds within himself.
Come here for
- A young person trying to make sense of what adults leave unexplained
- Nocturnal searches that open onto unfamiliar parts of life
Expect
- A poignant look at abandonment and adult disappointment
- An inward journey shaped by curiosity and uncertainty
Where it sits
| YA Animal Stories | 64% |
|---|---|
| Coming of Age | 55% |
| YA Stories About Parents | 27% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- YA Stories About Boys & Men
- YA Family Stories
- Europe for Teens
- Authors
- Henning Mankell
- Publisher
- Random House Children's Books
- Published
- August 11, 2009
- Format
- Paperback
- Theme
- Family abandonment · Uncertainty · Inner strength
- Reading lane
- YA Stories About Boys & Men