Bridge to Terabithia

Bridge to Terabithia
by Katherine Paterson

Bridge to Terabithia
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Book Summary Information

Author: Katherine Paterson
Illustrator: Donna Diamond
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Published)
Format: Bargain Price
Published: 1987-06-17
ISBN: N/A
Number of pages: 192
Publisher: HarperCollins

Book Reviews of Bridge to Terabithia

Book Review: Only Book I've ever thrown
Summary: 5 Stars

For some reason, I decided to catch up on some YA/Children's classic and this happened to appear on my list. I had seen the Disney remake and was intrigued with the idea. As I was watching the movie, I couldn't believe the girl dies. I seriously was in shock for about a week. I decided that I needed to check out this book to see what it was telling kids about death.

The book is nice. I enjoyed the dialogue and pace of the story. For some strange reason, I was expecting the outcome of the book to be different from that of the movie, which, of course, makes absolutely no sense. So when Leslie dies (again) I was so frustrated that I actually threw the book against the wall. I don't know why, but it left my hand and ended up behind my bed. I just couldn't believe that a girl like that would be killed off. Don't get me wrong. I love drama and I am all for killing off characters to push the story. R+J wouldn't be the same if Mercutio lived. But are you kidding me?

Anyway, I loved this book, but I'm glad I read it as adult. I'm not sure I would have been able to understand the story as a child. There really isn't that fairy tale ending, which isn't to say that kids always need that. But I think if the story is going to use the power of fun imagination as its energy source, one of the main characters can't die. Great story. A classic.

Summary of Bridge to Terabithia

A secret world of their own

Jess Aaron's greatest ambition is to be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. He's been practicing all summer and can't wait to see his classmates' faces when he beats them all. But on the first day of school, a new kid, a new girl, boldly crosses over to the boy's side of the playground and outruns everyone.

That's not a very promising beginning for a friendship, but Jess and Leslie Burke become inseparable. It doesn't matter to Jess that leslie dresses funny, or that her family has a lot of money -- but no TV. Leslie has imagination. Together, she and Jess create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where the two of them reign as king and queen, and their imaginations set the only limits. Then one morning a terrible tragedy occurs. Only when Jess is able to come to grips with this tragedy does he finally understand the strength and courage Leslie has given him.


The story starts out simply enough: Jess Aarons wants to be the fastest boy in the fifth grade--he wants it so bad he can taste it. He's been practicing all summer, running in the fields around his farmhouse until he collapses in a sweat. Then a tomboy named Leslie Burke moves into the farmhouse next door and changes his life forever. Not only does Leslie not look or act like any girls Jess knows, but she also turns out to be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. After getting over the shock and humiliation of being beaten by a girl, Jess begins to think Leslie might be okay.

Despite their superficial differences, it's clear that Jess and Leslie are soul mates. The two create a secret kingdom in the woods named Terabithia, where the only way to get into the castle is by swinging out over a gully on an enchanted rope. Here they reign as king and queen, fighting off imaginary giants and the walking dead, sharing stories and dreams, and plotting against the schoolmates who tease them. Jess and Leslie find solace in the sanctuary of Terabithia until a tragedy strikes and the two are separated forever. In a style that is both plain and powerful, Katherine Paterson's characters will stir your heart and put a lump in your throat.

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