Review: Bridge to Terabithia

Paterson, who has already earned regard with her historical fiction set in Japan, proves to be just as eloquent and assured when dealing with contemporary American children--and Americans of very different backgrounds at that. Jess, from an uneducated family in rural Virginia, has been practicing all summer to become the fastest runner at school--a reputation more desirable than his present image as ""that crazy little kid who draws all the time."" But Jess is beaten in the first race of the fifth-grade year by a newcomer--who is also the first girl ever to invade the boys' part of the playground. Soon Jess and Leslie, whose parents have moved from the suburbs because they're ""reassessing their value structure,"" become close friends. On her lead they create Terabithia, a secret magic kingdom in the woods, and there in the castle stronghold she tells him wonderful stories. . . about a gloomy prince of Denmark, or a crazy sea captain bent on killing a whale. She lends him her Narnia books and lectures him on endangered predators. . . but he teaches her compassion for a mean older girl at school. Indeed Leslie has brought enchantment into his life. Then one morning, with the creek they must swing over to reach Terabithia dangerously swollen by rain, and Jess torn between his fear of the maneuver and his reluctance to admit it, he is saved by an invitation to visit the National Gallery with his lovely music teacher. The day is perfect--but while he is gone Leslie is killed, swinging into Terabithla on their old frayed rope. Jess' feelings range from numb denial to rage to guilt to desolation (at one point the thought occurs that ""I am now the fastest runner in the fifth grade"")--typical grief reactions, but newly wrenching as Jess is no representative bibliotherapeutic model. By the end, he is ready to think about giving back to the world something of what he had received from Leslie. You'll remember her too.

This is an offensive book to Christians

My 4th grade son had to read this book in his Christian school. The book uses the Lord's name in vain a lot! It also had swear words in it my son was unaware of. I stopped reading it with him when we ... Read full review

i love this book

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Nobody likes the thought of being lonely and unwanted, but that is exactly how Jess and Leslie feel. The two out casted students create an unbreakable friendship that is held together by a Fantasyland they formed out of their wild imagination. Their adventure ends when it begins in Terabitha after a tragic accident struck their friendship that could never be fixed. Jess tries to move on in Terabithia without Leslie, though it is hard, he thinks about how much she has taught him. Why would an imaginary land create a special friendship? How do you think Jess will overcome his huge loss? The Bridge to Terabithia takes you on a mysterious journey to a wonderland that was created in two young mind’s imagination. This is Lauren from the Readers in Wonderland. 

this is one of the best books i have ever read in my whole life.
there is some fun but it has a big meaning.
it isn't a happy ever after story, but at the same time it is.

Review: Bridge To Terabithia

One of my all time favorites. I read it at age seven and sobbed through the whole ending, casting it away and blaming Katherine Paterson for killing off Leslie in such a terrible way. Back then, I ... Read full review

Review: Bridge To Terabithia

1. Contemporary Realism Junior Book 2. Summary: Jess, who is obsessed with being the fastest runner, develops an friendship with his new neighbor, Leslie, who beats all the boys in a run during recess ... Read full review

Review: Bridge To Terabithia

very sad but still good Read full review

Review: Bridge to Terabithia

Bridge to Terabithia is about two very creative young children, Jess and Leslie. They live next to each other andgo to school together. Jess meet Leslie during a race at school which she won. They ... Read full review