Bridge to Terabithia
Paterson, K. (1977). Bridge
to Terabithia. New York, NY: T.Y. Crowell.
Jess and Leslie are best friends, but their friendship has a surprising start. Jess is an eleven-year-old boy who loves to run and dreams of beating all of the other kids in fifth grade. However, the winner of the races ends up being a new girl, Leslie, who just moved next door to Jess. Even with this defeat and their difference in gender, Jess and Leslie become close friends. They create an imaginary play land called Terabithia where they spend a lot of time there escaping their problems at school and home. They stand up against the taunts from other kids at school that make fun of them and their friendship and even spend Christmas together which is when Leslie goes to church for the first time with Jess' family. When Leslie is suddenly killed in a tragic drowning accident, Jess has to learn to move on without her while not forgetting all she taught him.
This is a tearjerker, but a wonderful book that has been loved by kids and adults for many years. I love that the central character, Jess, is different than the stereotypical boy and learns how to have confidence in himself despite his father's beliefs and how kids at school treat him. I think it's also a good book to read and discuss bullying and being who you are and being friends with who you like despite what others think or say.
Bridge to Terabithia book trailer:
Classroom activities for Bridge to Terabithia:
Katherine Paterson's website:
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