"Bridge to Terabithia"

Bridge To Terabithia
Author: Katherine Paterson
Illustrator: Donna Diamond
Genre: Chapter Book
Subgenre:Young Adult, Fiction
Theme: Discovery, Children's Imagination, Struggle with Death & Overcoming It
Primary/Secondary Characters: Jess Aarons & Leslie Burke/Gary Fulcher, Janice Avery
Date of Publication: Year 1977
Publishing Company: Fitzhenry & Whiteside Limited, Toronto
Awards: Newbery Award Winner

Summary: Jess Aarons was a young boy in elementary school, who was very active and thought himself to be the best and fastest runner at school. In his neighborhood, a young girl named Leslie Burke moved in with her family, whom Jess became close friends with. Leslie's family was quite odd, as they didn't own the technology that Jess's family had, but their house was full of books. Leslie had quite the imagination, and created the imaginary land of Terabithia, where she and Jess could play and have fun away from any pesky classmates or siblings. The two had a close bond that was unexplainable, and were best friends. One day, while trying to reach Terabithia during a storm, Leslie drowns and dies. Jess is on a field trip at the museum, and after finding out, he blames himself for Leslie's death. After a harsh time of coping, Jess decides to build a bridge to Terabithia, and invites his younger sister, May Belle, to accompany him, as he had always denied May Belle access into the imaginary land. Terabithia prospers, and the friendship Jess had with Leslie was a great memory Jess never dismissed. This book is great for young teenage readers who want a book with drama, friendship, and tragedy. It is a great free read book, and teaches children many lessons on friendship, and should be provided in every classroom.