Bridge to Terabithia

Author: Katherine Paterson
Copyright Date: 1977
Publisher: HarperCollins
Number of Pages: 128
Reading Level: 13 & Up
Genre: Fiction

Summary
"Bridge to Terabithia" is the story of a boy named Jesse (Jess) Aarons and part of his rural southern-Virginia life. He has two older sisters--Brenda and Ellie--and two younger sisters--May Belle and Joyce Ann. He's getting to enter the 5th grade, and he wants to be the fastest runner. On the first day of school, a new girl, Leslie Burke, moves to town and she want's to run with the boys. They decide to let her race, and she ends up beating them all! At first Jess doesn't like her, but soon they become best friends and it turns out they're neighbors. Since they don't really have many other friends at school, they make up their own land--Terabithia--in the woods near their houses. The only way to get to Terabithia is by a rope that swings across a creek. They go there nearly every day after school and they declare themselves king and queen of the land. For Christmas, Jess gives Leslie a dog who she names Prince Terrien. Leslie gives him a watercolor set with some nice papers. They continue to go to Terabithia, and they keep it secret from everyone else, including their parents and family (Leslie is an only child).

One time in the story, there are a few days where its just pouring rain, so they don't go to Terabithia. One day, Mrs. Edmunds--a music teacher at Lark Creek Elementary school (Jess's school)--calls Jess and asks if he'd like to go to a museum with her. Since Jess has a minor teacher-crush on her, he gladly says yes. She comes to pick him up, and he forgets to tell Leslie about it. He later thinks that he should have invited her as well, but at the same time is glad he's alone with Mrs. Edmunds. When he goes back home, his parents tell him that his best friend, Leslie Burke, is dead. At first Jess doesn't believe it, and he really struggles with the fact that she left him. He goes to Terabithia with P.T. (Prince Terrien) and makes a crown in honor of Leslie and puts it in what they called their sacred grove. He leaves it there, then goes back home. At the end of the book, Jess takes leftover wood from Leslie's house and builds a bridge. He then takes his younger sister, May Belle, across to Terabithia and says to her, "There's a rumor going around that the beautiful girl arriving today might be the queen they've been waiting for."

Reaction
I'm absolutely in love with this story. It almost made me cry! If my roommates weren't around, I probably would have let myself shed a few tears. I loved Jess and Leslie's friendship and all their adventures, and I love how Jess includes May Belle in the end. It's truly a touching story.

Recommendations
I would recommend this book to anyone. It's great! I think it would also be a good idea to read the book to your kids and then have them watch the movie so you can compare and contrast the two.

Problems/Conflicts
In this book there is some bullying, and of course Leslie dies. Also, Jess's family life isn't portrayed in the best way. Other than that there's not too many conflicts.