Trigger Warnings: Suicide, harsh living conditions, explicit content/language

Tai Go, a Chinese teen who traveled across the ocean with his father and grandfather to start a new life are met with the Chinese Exclusion Act and forced into the detainee center on Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay. There, immigrants were stuck for an uncertain amount of time, subjected to humiliating medical exams and interrogations meant to confuse and trip them up, causing them to fail and be sent back to China.

Tai finds hope - in the poems carved into the walls of their prison-like buildings, in the friends he makes, and the actions of fellow detainees. Tai may have been unhappy at first with his father’s decision to make this trip, but as time goes on, he discovers he must forge his own path.

I love novel-in-verse books, so I’m always bound to pick up any that I see - but I will say the writing in this one is more for those who would like information, than your standard novel in verse writing. They read to me like short chapters, and not verses.

Though this may not be for everyone, I will say it’s a time in American history I don’t see (or haven’t seen) much about. I wasn’t aware of the fact that the San Francisco earthquake/fire destroyed all the records which then made it harder for Asian immigrants to land in America…

Overall, still a historical fiction, novel in verse book worth checking out to read a raw and honest portrayal of life on Angel Island.

*Thank you Atheneum Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I was surprised to start reading this book and find that it is written in verse. It's beautifully done, though quite painful to read. I imagine there is a lot of discussion and thoughts that could be evoked from it so it would be an interesting choice for a book club focused on Asian issues.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this unusual book.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Bridge Across the Sky" by Freeman Ng is a powerful historical novel in verse that immerses you in the harrowing experiences of Chinese immigrants detained at Angel Island in the early 20th century. As someone with limited background knowledge on this topic, I was very interested in learning more through this engaging book. Through the eyes of Tai Go, a young Chinese teenager, the book paints a vivid and often painful picture of the struggles faced by those seeking a new life in the United States, only to be met with hostility and racism.

The book begins by providing crucial historical context, setting the stage for those who may be unfamiliar with the Chinese Exclusion Act and its devastating impact on immigrant communities. Ng's writing is rich in description, and his use of beautiful metaphors, especially the incorporation of poems carved into the walls of the Angel Island barracks, adds a hauntingly lyrical quality to the story. I loved reading the words from the other prisoners to learn more about their own unique experiences at the prison. The imagery is absolutely beautiful throughout the book as well as Tai Go’s own introspection.

As Tai Go endures the prison-like conditions of Angel Island, including humiliating medical exams and grueling interrogations designed to break the spirits of detainees, he also encounters moments of unexpected hope. The friendships he forms, the solidarity among fellow detainees, and even the complex relationship with a perceived enemy contribute to his growth and the book's exploration of the American Dream. You can see how Tai Go changes throughout the book with his hope for the future as well as wanting to inspire change for his other prisoners.

While the book is engaging and educational, it's important to note that it includes some unexpected elements that may make it less suitable for younger readers. There are instances of explicit language (involving male genitalia) and a described suicide. These instances may make this book less suitable to be in the classroom, though I believe the overall material and historical context within the book would make it a perfect fit in the middle/high school library or classroom. Despite these mature themes, the book's overall tone remains one of resilience and hope, making it a compelling read for those interested in historical fiction and stories of perseverance. There is also a little bit of romance, though it’s not the main focus of the story. The ending wrapped the story up nicely and instills that feeling of hope in the reader.

"Bridge Across the Sky" is a raw and honest portrayal of a dark chapter in American history, but it is also a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Freeman Ng masterfully captures the emotional complexity of Tai Go's journey, making this a memorable and moving story.