Book Therapy Spotlight : The Bridge by Bill Konigsberg

Reading was a refuge for me during my pre-teen and young adult years. It was a time filled with change, and I often felt misunderstood and frustrated. Books provided comfort and a way to explore different identities, reminding me that I wasn’t alone in my feelings.

Now, as a School Counselor, I use literature to connect with my students. While I can’t fully understand everyone’s experiences, reading allows me to empathize and see the world through many perspectives.

Here’s to the power of bibliotherapy—I hope this series helps others find the same comfort and connection in stories!

For readers who:

For those who may feel hopeless. For those who may not see a way out. For those who think the world is better off without them –it is not. Sometimes it’s difficult to get out of our heads and zoom out to see the bigger picture. Even when there is pain, there is a world of love and support standing by your side until you find a way out. I hope this book helps you see there is another way. *This novel discusses themes of depression and suicide*

Synopsis:

“The Bridge” is a powerful novel that beautifully captures the struggles of loneliness and the quest for connection. Bill Konigsberg’s novel gives readers a rare glimpse at the parallel possibilities of one life-altering, split-second decision. To jump or not to jump.

“The Bridge” follows two young people, Aaron and Tillie, who first meet on the George Washington Bridge in New York City. Both characters find themselves staring over the edge, wondering whether or not they should jump; whether or not the world will be better off without them. Konigsberg separates the novel into four different iterations —what the world look like if Tillie ended her life by jumping off the bridge, what the world would look like if Aaron jumped off the bridge, what the world would look like if they both jumped off the bridge, and what the world would look like if neither of them jumped off the bridge.

With each iteration of the story, Konigsberg zooms out and shows how the people in each of the characters’ lives are impacted by each suicide.

Aaron, a gay young man, suffers from depression and is weighed down by the thought that he is not good or special enough. Meanwhile, Tillie is grappling with her identity as a Korean adoptee. Her search for identity and belonging leading her to be the target of online bullying. As their stories intertwine, we see how the raw emotions of isolation, identity, and the weight of societal expectations impact each character’s life.

Key Themes & Takeaways:

• Mental Health Awareness: Konigsberg highlights the importance of mental health & mental health support by providing a candid look at the struggles many face. In his novel, he keenly describes the many places and ways young people can feel isolated
• The Power of Connection: The importance of connection is an overarching theme in the novel. As the main characters navigate their respective struggles, we see how big of a difference it makes for Tillie and Aaron to feel like there are others around them who understand and support them.
• Finding Your Voice: Throughout the novel, we see how important it is for the characters to speak up and out about how they are truly feeling. Although it can be scary to share the most vulnerable parts of you, we see what big of a difference it can make to allow people in and show them who you truly are and share how you may be struggling. It is only then can you receive the help you need.
• Openness & Acceptance: In a society where everybody is trying to be “normal,” it is hard to accept that something might be “wrong” with you. When, in reality, most people are struggling with one thing or another. In the novel, themes of acceptance for one’s self are seen through the struggles that every character faces.

This heartfelt journey reminds young readers that they are never alone in their struggles. “The Bridge” is not just a story; it’s a beacon of hope and a call to reach out. Perfect for anyone seeking empathy, understanding, and inspiration!

Guided Questions:

Part A – Aaron

1. What do we know about Aaron so far? What are we led to believe about his situation early on?
   • Have you ever felt the way Aaron has? If so, how were you able to cope?
2. How does Aaron view himself and his current life situation? What are the factors that are contributing to his situation?
   • Do any parts of Aaron’s life resonate with you? If yes, how so?
3. What do we learn about the relationship between Aaron and the people in his life (family, friends, or others)?
   • How does the way others treat him (or the way he perceives them) shape your understanding of his character?
4. How might the issues explored in the first chapter (such as loneliness, confusion, or despair) relate to real-life challenges young people face today?
   • Have you ever felt similar emotions, and if so, how do you think the protagonist’s experience might help you understand those feelings better?
5. Do you think that Aaron’s actions are understandable? Why or why not?
   • How would you respond if you were in the character’s position?
6. Aaron’s desire to feel special or well-loved plays a big role in his actions and choices. How do you think the pressure to be seen as ‘special’ or ‘important’ can affect someone’s mental health, especially for young people?
   • Do you think this desire for validation can lead to unhealthy behaviors or thoughts?
7. Aaron thinks he’s ‘cured’ after taking medication, but his manic behavior leads him to make risky decisions. How can feeling ‘invincible’ or ‘fixed’ during a manic episode affect the choices someone makes?
   • What can friends or family do if they notice something is wrong, but the person doesn’t realize it?”
8. Aaron’s journey to healing isn’t linear—he goes from feeling manic to feeling depressed, and it frustrates him. How do you think the ups and downs of mental health can make someone feel overwhelmed or discouraged?
   • Why is it important to recognize that healing can be a messy, non-linear process?”
9. By the end of his story, Aaron starts to accept his healing process and the importance of being authentic with others. How can accepting your true self and being open about your struggles positively impact your mental health?
   • Why do you think it’s important to be honest with others about who you are, especially when dealing with mental health challenges?”
10. Aaron’s dad is very supportive and plays a key role in helping him seek help for his mental health. How can having a supportive family member or loved one impact someone’s mental health journey?
    • What are some ways that family or friends can be more helpful when someone is struggling?”

Part B – Tillie

1. What do we know about Tillie so far? What are we led to believe about her situation early on?
   • Have you ever felt the way Tillie has? If so, how were you able to cope?
2. How does Tillie view herself and her current life situation? What are the factors that are contributing to her situation?
   • Do any parts of Tillie’s life resonate with you? If yes, how so?
3. What do we learn about the relationship between Tillie and the people in her life (family, friends, or others)?
   • How does the way others treat her (or the way she perceives them) shape your understanding of her character?
4. On top of her family problems, Tillie is bullied online following a school performance. She feels pushed to the edge and begins to question her self-worth. How can experiencing multiple stressors, like online bullying and family problems, affect someone’s self-esteem and mental health?
   • Have you ever felt like multiple challenges in your life were affecting how you saw yourself? How did you cope with those feelings, and what helped you to remember your worth during tough times?”
5. Tillie, who is adopted, struggles with feelings of isolation and not belonging, especially after the birth of her younger sister, who is the biological child of her parents. How can being adopted and the arrival of a biological sibling affect someone’s sense of self and their mental health?
   • How does this affect the way she views the relationship with her father? How would you feel?
6. Tillie’s mom is a strong support system, but when Tillie finds out her family is considering residential treatment, she runs away because she doesn’t want to feel trapped. How can the idea of being forced into treatment, especially something like residential care, make someone feel even more overwhelmed or resistant to help?
   • Have you ever felt overwhelmed or resistant to a form of help, even if you knew it might be beneficial? How did you cope with those feelings, and what kind of support or understanding did you need from the people around you?”
7. When Tillie confronts Molly about the online bullying, she learns that Molly is sorry and is just trying to fit in. How did this change the way Tillie might see the situation?
   • What does it teach us about the reasons behind people’s actions? How important is it to try to understand why someone behaves the way they do, even when they’ve hurt you?
8. When Tillie confronts her ex-boyfriend, she’s initially angry but starts to feel empathy after learning why he pulled away. How can understanding someone’s personal struggles or reasons for their actions help us heal from hurt or rejection?
   • Have you ever been angry or hurt by someone, only to later understand their reasons for their actions? How did that change the way you felt, and how did it impact your relationship with that person?
9. When Tillie confronts her dad about their changed relationship, she realizes that he doesn’t have the emotional capacity to handle it, and that he can’t be the person she wants him to be. How can this realization affect Tillie’s sense of self-worth and her expectations of relationships?
   • Have you ever had to accept that someone in your life couldn’t meet your emotional needs or expectations? How did that affect your relationship with them, and how did you cope with those feelings of disappointment or loss?”
10. After confronting the people who have hurt her, Tillie decides to go to residential treatment. How do you think this decision reflects her growth and willingness to take control of her mental health?
    • What does it say about the importance of seeking help when you’re struggling, and how can asking for support be a courageous step toward healing?

Part C

1. This part of the book makes no mention of either character directly, what can we assume has happened based on the context?
   • Why do you think the author chooses to add this part of the book?
2. How does this section make you think about the impact of mental health struggles on not only the individual but also the people around them?
   • Have you ever experienced a time when you felt like your struggles were affecting those around you, even if you didn’t intend for it to? How did that change the way you thought about seeking help or talking about your feelings?

Part D

1. In this part of The Bridge, both Aaron and Tillie choose not to jump and instead decide to be each other’s support systems, which changes the course of their lives. How does their decision to lean on each other highlight the power of support systems in times of crisis?
   • Have you ever had a moment where reaching out to someone for support, or having someone reach out to you, made a difference in how you coped with a difficult situation? How did that connection change your perspective or help you find hope during a tough time?
2. As Aaron and Tillie get to know each other better, they begin to find some hope in their situation. How does their shared experience help them see their own worth and find a reason to keep going?
   • Have you ever found comfort in knowing that someone else understands your struggles, or have you been able to offer that kind of support to someone else? How did it make you feel, and what difference did it make in how you viewed your own situation?
3. Even though Aaron and Tillie find comfort in supporting each other, they both still struggle with their own self-worth. How does their sense of responsibility for each other impact their healing process?
   • Have you ever felt responsible for someone else’s well-being, even while struggling with your own challenges? How did that affect your journey, and what did you learn about balancing caring for others with taking care of yourself?
4. The end of the novel shows that healing isn’t a linear journey, and that by seeking support, life continues to move forward. What does this ending teach us about the importance of leaning on others when we’re struggling, even when progress feels slow? How does the idea that ‘there is much to lose’ by giving up shape how we think about our own challenges and mental health
   • Have you ever faced a time when healing or progress felt slow, but you kept moving forward with the support of others? How did that experience shape your perspective on recovery, and what did you learn about the importance of not giving up

Resources:

If you’re in immediate danger of hurting yourself or others, call 911. If you need somebody to talk to, help is available when you dial the Suicide and Crisis lifeline at 988.

• The Trevor Project
• 988 Lifeline

More reading:

You can find a copy of The Bridge here on Amazon!

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