The Family Under the Bridge
Natalie Savage Carlson
© 1958 Natalie Savate Carlson
HarperCollins Publishers

Armand is a hobo who has learned to do without. He doesn't worry about burglars, since all his possessions are in a baby buggy. He doesn't worry about rent, since what serves as his home is beneath one of the many bridges in Paris that cross the Seine. And he really doesn't worry about anyone else, since he has no family, and no need for one. Especially children. Which is why he's horrified when, as Christmas approaches, he finds three of the pests under his favorite bridge. In short order, his world is turned upside down as Suzy, Paul, Eveline and their mother Madame Calcet set up camp in the place he feels is his.

They may be homeless, but Madame Calcet has a job and is determined to keep her family together. Soon Armand has the children singing in the street, making enough money for a meal. Their mother isn't pleased—her children aren't beggars, and she doesn't intend them to be. Armand leaves his home under the bridge in a huff, but Armand and the Calcet family aren't done with each other yet...

The Family Under the Bridge was read by Steven Hauck
Steven made his professional acting debut more than twenty years ago as Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Since then he has appeared in over 100 stage productions across the United States and Europe. You may recognize Steven's voice from last season's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.

What do you think?

Did you like the story? Did you find it believable? Why, or why not?

What do you think of Armand when you first meet him? Do his words match his actions?

Mrs. Calcet feels she is better than Armand, even though they are both homeless. Why does she feel this way?

Does your opinion of Armand change as the story unfolds?

How does Armand change during the story? Do the children change over the course of the story?

What did you know about Paris before you read the book? What did you learn from the book?

Explain Mrs. Calcet's feelings toward the Gypsies. How does it differ from Armand's? From her children's? What do the Gypsies do to change her opinon?

Does Mrs. Calcet make a difference in Armand's life? If yes, how so?

Fun & Adventure Beyond the Book

Natalie Savage Carlson is fondly remembered as the author of the much-loved Orpheline series. Born in Virginia, Ms. Carlson later lived in Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and the Pacific Northwest. She eventually settled in Florida prior to her death. The Family Under the Bridge was a Newbery Honor winner in 1959. This site has some additional information about the author, and lists some of her other books.

Did you learn anything about Paris by reading this book? Did you know that Les Halles, the marketplace Armand took them to, was called "the stomach of Paris?!" Unfortunately it was dismantled in 1971, but an underground market exists in its place. Use this site to tour Paris. The Louvre and Notre Dame also have interesting websites.

Mireli and her family opened their home to the Calcets, providing them food and a place to stay until Madame Calcet was able to find an apartment for her family. Learn how you can help someone who's homeless by talking to your local food pantry or homeless shelter. This website can help you find your local homeless and housing advocacy organization. There are more ideas on how to help at this site and at this one.

The Family Under the Bridge showed some of the intolerance suffered by Gypsies.  This website explores their history and culture and lists examples of the persecution Gypsies have endured.

Armand was a French hobo; he chose to live on the streets. In America at the height of the Great Depression, more than 250,000 hobos lived on the streets. PBS explores the hobo life. During the Depression, Hobos had their own sign language! You can learn about it here.



If You Like This Book, Check Out...

Grace Greene, from the Vermont Department of Libraries, says if you liked The Family Under the Bridge, you'll probably enjoy these books as well:

Other books by Natalie Savage Carlson:

The Happy Orpheline (Harper, 1957) (plus sequels)
When the girls of a French orphanage visit the dog cemetery, Brigitte gets left behind and has an adventure with a woman whose husband is a pretender to the French throne.

The Talking Cat and Other Stories of French Canada (Harper, 1952)
Seven tales that helped comprise the evenings' entertainment for French Canadians before radio and television.

Companion titles:

After the Goat Man, by Betsy Byars (Viking, 1974)
An overweight, sensitive boy gains the insight and strength to overcome his problems through his search for and discovery of a friend's grandfather, known as the Goat Man.

Ruby Holler, by Sharon Creech (HarperCollins, 2002)
Thirteen-year-old fraternal twins Dallas and Florida have grown up in a terrible orphanage, but their lives change forever when an eccentric but sweet older couple invites them each on an adventure, beginning in an almost magical place called Ruby Holler.

Mandy, by Julie Edward (HarperCollins, 1971)
Longing for a place of her own, a ten-year-old orphan creates a secret home in a deserted cottage in the village of St. Martin's Green.

The Story of Holly and Ivy, by Rumer Godden (Viking, 1985)
Orphaned Ivy finds her Christmas wish fulfilled with the help of a lonely couple and a doll named Holly.