Bridge to Terabithia

Author: Katherine Paterson

Publishing:  Harper Collins Publisher

Number of Pages:  Soft Cover—144

Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Reading Level:  Young Adult

Summary:  This story is about an eleven-year-old boy named Jess Aarons.  Jess has always dreamed of becoming the fastest boy in school.  He has always had a hard time being accepted by his father and by his peers at school and he feels that this will help him to be accepted.  He practices running every morning and one day at school he races, but is beat by a new girl named Leslie Burke.  After this they seem like an unlikely match but they quickly become good friends.  Jess and Leslie build a fantasyland across the creek and they call it Terabithia.  Leslie is the first person to support Jess’s artistic talent and she provides him with inspiration and ideas. They play games of their own, pretending to defeat intruders on Terabithian territory, praying to the Spirits of the Grove to end a long spell of rain, and numerous other fantasies.  One day, a teacher that Jess has always had a crush on, invites him to go tour an art museum.  He goes with her and doesn’t think twice of it, and has the most perfect day.  When he gets back though, he learns that Leslie drowned in the creek trying to swing over to Terabithia.  This absolutely crushes Jess and he doesn’t know how he is suppose to go on since the only true friend he has ever known is now gone.  Eventually, though, he is able to move on and just keep Leslie as a part of his memory.  He takes his little sister to Terabithia with him so that Leslie can live on through Terabithia.

My Reaction to the Book:  I really liked this book.  Although it was really sad, I thought it was such a great story of friendship.

Potential Problems: There are a couple different problems in this book; there is the issue of bullies, and having an unaccepting family.  Also having death of one of the main characters, which makes for a really sad part in the book.

Recommendations:  I would recommend this book to any older children.  It’s a good story about kids overcoming their problems, making the best of their situations, and relying on friendship.