Bridge to Terabithia

Title: Bridge to Terabithia
Author: Katherine Paterson
ISBN: 9780439366779
Published: Oct. 1977
Awards: Newbery Award
Genre: fiction
Reading Level: 5th grade
Interest Level: 4th-8th grade
Plot Summary: Jesse Aarons loves to run and plans on being the fatest kid in his grade. But what he doesn't expect is Leslie Burke. Leslie is his new neighbor, who is from the big city. She also happens to be a very fast runner, much to many of the boys dismay. Jesse soon finds a new friend in Leslie. The two create an imaginary world called Terabithia that they escape to. Jesse learns about all sorts of new things from Leslie's family. Everything from art to music. But things take a turn for the worse when tragedy strikes. Jesse soon learns that letting go is not an easy thing to do and that you can't escape reality in an imaginary world.
Review: Paterson's award winning book lives up to it's reputation. The story is touching and emotional. It shows how despite having to grow up Jesse and Leslie still yearn to escape to their imaginary world. The two enjoy a wonderful friendship in their imaginary world but it's cut short by Leslie's death. Jesse's grief is honesty and raw. It really shows the struggle that children face as they deal with tragedy and growing up. Jesse shows his growth and his healing when he builds the bridge over the water and then invites his younger sister to Terabithia. The story gives insights into dealing with loss that is very honest and emotional. It also shows that imagination can help heal.
Reader's Annotation: Jesse and his neighbor Leslie have a magical world of Terabithia but when tragedy hits things might lose their magic.
Main Themes: friendship, death, loss
Read Alikes: Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
Why for Tweens? Both the main characters show how tweens are still trying to live in a land of make believe like they did in their childhood and the present harsh reality. Jesse deals with the loss of a friend which some tweens may face or they may face the loss of a loved one. It's a part of growing up and this story can help some tweens deal with grief and see that you can move on despite a tragedy.