Bridge to Terabithia

Paterson, K. (1972). Bridge to Terabithia. New York: Crown

Jessie is a young teenage boy who has an obsession for running. During the summer he wakes up early every morning to practice before his morning chores. He has four sisters who are annoyed by him, except for one. One day he gets a new neighbor, but doesn't think much of it because nobody lasts long in that house. Jessie is excited for the first day of school, because he know that this year he will be the best runner. When he lines up to race, Leslie, his new neighbor, wants to join in on the races. The boys do not usally let the girls run, but make an exception this one time. Leslie ends up beating all the boys, and Jesse is upset because just like that his dream of being the best runner came to an end. Jessie and Leslie eventually become the best of friends, and create their own world called Terabithia. Dispite their differences, Leslie teaches Jesse alot about life. They go off to their own world and pretend that they are the king and queen of that world. Life eventually gets in the way, and for awhile the do no visit their world. When they do finally return, they reclaim their thrown, and tell the Terabithians they were off fighting their foes. One day Jesse's teacher invites him to go to the museam with her, and he does not think about inviting Leslie. When he returns he discovers that a terrible accident has happened. Leslie has died crossing over to play in Terabithia. Jesse does not believe it, until his parents ask him to go with them to pay their respects to Leslie's parents. Although heart broken, Jesse returns to Terabithia, and this time takes his little sister with him. He has never been good at pretend play, but introduces his little sister to the world that Leslie and he shared. This book has been around since 1972, and it won the Newberry award in 1978. The story focuses on the relationship between a boy and girl, and the dfferences that exist between them. It does a wonderful job at highlighting to reader the way they over come these differences. This book also deals with death in a way that even young readers can understand. The reader will experience, love, friendship, lose, sadness, and the incredible love of family. All these aspects are what have helped this book be a favorite through the ages. This story is a best suited for 3rd grade and up, and can be used in any English class to study, plot, conflict, and inferencing all in one.