Bridge to Terabithia: A Story About Friendship, Imagination, and Loss

Heartbreaking story of friendship and loss. Jess and Leslie will stay with me for a long time. They created a wonderful world of their own and it unfortunately became the cause of Leslie’s death.

The writing is immersive and real. It’s simple yet profound. Nostalgic and yet makes you want to be present. This is more than a “kids book” and is officially in my top 5 of all time.

Was a very sad book for an 11 year old but he still loved it. Read it very quickly and could not put it down.

BACKGROUND: "Bridge To Terabithia," by Katherine Paterson, saw its debut publication in 1977; it was awarded the Newberry Medal for children's literature the following year. I first read this book at the age of 8; I remember being highly captivated by the characters because of how closely they related to the experiences most kids feel around that age. I will admit that, at the time, this didn't end up being on my list of `all-time-super-awesome books'--but I this was due to the fact that this was one of the first books I read dealing with realistic issues; thus, it wasn't as `entertaining' as "The Adventures of Captain Underpants." In adulthood, I've reread this novel on several occasions; each time, I gain more and more appreciation for the impact this story had on my childhood. Katherine cites a personal experience as her inspiration for the novel. On August 14, 1974, Katherine, her 8-year-old son David, and David's best friend, Lisa, were visiting a beach in Delaware when Lisa was struck by lightning; she died immediately. Paterson dedicated the book to David and Lisa. Descriptions of the settings throughout the book were likely influenced by Paterson's then-home in Takoma Park, Maryland. Most notably, Sligo Creek probably served as inspiration for the dried creek bed "which someone had long forgotten (p.58)." Further confirmed by Leslie's mentioning of "The Chronicles of Narnia (p.59)," the name of the imaginary kingdom, "Terabithia," is an homage to the Narnian island of Terebinthia which appears in both "Prince Caspian" and "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by C.S. Lewis. [Lewis had likely derived the name "Terebinthia" from the Bible's Terebinth tree.] 2008 EDITION: (13 chapters; 191 pages) Something neat about this edition is the "Bridge to Terabithia" Reader's Guide found in the back of the book. The Reader's Guide provides 13 Discussion Questions--one to follow each chapter--that can be used as an introduction for young readers to literary analysis while also prompting a more interactive reading experience. A 9-part Q&A with author Katherine Paterson serves to finish the book. I wish these features had been available in the edition I read as a kid because, at a young age, I had only a tentative grasp on the relationships that occur between authors and their stories. I think that having a means of direct contact between young readers and real-world authors helps to not only put an author's inspiration into perspective, but also to entice appreciation for the art that is literature. SUMMARY: All summer, Jesse Aarons has coped with what he deems to be an `unfair' home-life by channeling his energy into becoming the fastest kid in the fifth grade. When the new school year rolls around, Jesse finally gets the chance to show off his speed--only to be beaten by his new neighbor, Leslie. Things just can't get any worse for Jesse; not only does he feel burdened at home by his family's farm and his annoying sisters, but now there's just one more reason for him to be bullied at school. As Jesse gets to know Leslie, he realizes that he's no longer alone in his troubles. The two develop a strong bond, leading to the creation of Terabithia--an imaginary kingdom where Jesse and Leslie can feel important and free. The subject of bullying recurs throughout the course of the book. In one situation, Jesse and Leslie reap revenge against a girl named Janice; the two eventually realize that everyone has feelings, and sometimes a bully is the one most in need of a friend. The bond between Jesse and Leslie gains ever-increasing strength as they endure such experiences, not alone, but together. When Jesse is invited to accompany Miss Edmunds for an art exhibit, Jesse gets so excited about his own opportunity that he forgets to tell his family where he's going, and, more importantly, he leaves Leslie alone in Terabithia. As Jesse returns home from his trip, he undergoes an abrupt shift back to reality; Leslie had been swinging on the old rope by the creek when it suddenly snapped, propelling her into the water and leaving her to drown. Jesse initially struggles to understand the tragedy. He has lost his counterpart and best friend, leading him into a deep self-reevaluation. He begins to see that all the little things that used to frustrate him are now insignificant; it was the time he spent with Leslie that taught him the meaning of life and what to appreciate. As time passes, Jesse and his younger sister, May Belle, discover that a tree has fallen across the old creek; in a moment of clarity, Jesse realizes that the death of the strong, glorious tree has given it another chance at life as the new bridge to Terabithia. "Bridge To Terabithia" Copyright © 1977 by Katherine Paterson ISBN: 978-0-06-073401-5 Revised paperback edition, 2008

Read together with my Grand daughter as a first time book club. Great book to serve as a learn-to-love-reading platform.

Amazing book! I loved it. I've never seen the movie or anything but just wanted to read this. I couldn't put it down till I was finished.

Oh what a sad story but so beautifully written. The characters are so much like one would expect pre-teens to be and how they think. So many possibilities potentially laying ahead yet not all dreams come to pass. The book reminds us how heartbreak at such a tender age can bring a young person to their knees yet somehow make them far stronger and position them realize new dreams that will carry them forward.

I remember reading this book when I was in elementary school. I was trying to read every Newberry Award winning book our school had. I completed most of our library's inventory, and to this day, Bridge to Terabithia stood out among the books I read. I gave this book 5 stars based on my memory of reading this as a child, and on the understanding that the target audience is younger. So the rating is through younger eyes. That said, as a 32 year old male, I would still give the book a 4 star rating. This book cuts a clean storyline, but doesn't have enough character development and depth as books written for an older audience. But I think it does the job for a younger audience. It surely moved me as a child. I was around 10-12 when I read this book, and didn't know the story before I read it. I remember reading the part when the girl died and it certainly brought tears to my eyes. This time around, I didn't have a feeling of loss for the girl. I think the reason is because the book just lays it out in a matter of fact manner. There is no real lead up to her dying, it just happens. For some reason, it didn't seem to affect me much. But - the aftermath was a different story, specifically when everyone was meeting in the girl's home after she died. What moved me was the feeling of loss the parents ad grandparents felt. But mostly this was me projecting feelings because I am the father of two young children. Overall, it was worth reading again, and I would recommend it to any mature child of the appropriate age (parents will have to determine that for themselves). I certainly won't shield my children from this book when they are old enough. Death is a part of life, and the sooner children are exposed to the difficult parts of life, the sooner they can accept things and learn to cope.

Bought for my daughter and she loved it

Ma meilleure amie m'a fait découvrir l'histoire quand on était petite, elle m'a marquée et fait désormais partie de mes préférées.

Llego en tiempo y en muy buenas condiciones

The story was so moving, good for children. It's easy for children to read because the font size is just right.

Gayet güzel bir hikâyeye sahip, 10 yaş ve üzeri çocuklar için daha uygun. Dili çok ağır değil, fazla basit de değil. İngilizcesini geliştirmek isteyen kişiler için hem güzel bir hikâye hem de güzel bir alıştırma. Sıfırdan İngilizce öğrenenler için pek uygun diyemem ama biraz bilginiz varsa üzerine koymak için gayet uygun bir kitap. Ayrıca çok uzun da değil, çocuklarına okutmak isteyen kişiler için içerisinde işlenen konuların biraz ağır olduğunu belirtmek isterim. Ölüm ve yas gibi konular işleniyor ama arkadaşlık ve aile ilişkileri üzerine de önemli konular var. Ne olursa olsun okumanızı önereceğim çok güzel bir kitap. Fiziksel olarak da gayet iyi bir şekilde geldi.