The Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Title:  The Bridge to Terabithia

Author: Katherine Paterson

Publisher: Scholastic, New York Year: 1977

ISBN: 0-590-13200-8

Genre: Fiction/Realistic

This book is for children in grades: 4-8

Subjects/Themes: 

Awards:  Newbery Medal; School Library Journal Best Book

AR Points: 5

Plot Summary:  Jess Abrams is going to be the fastest boy in the fifth grade, at least until Leslie Burke, from Arlington, moves in next door and beats him and all the other boys in the first race of the year.  Jess who loves to draw doesn’t really like Leslie but somehow they become best friends.  Leslie and Jess create a magical world which can only be reached by swinging across the gully on a magical rope.  They call it Teribithia, and they rule there together as Queen and King.  In Teribithia Jess and Leslie discover ways of defeating giants and real problems like bullies and fears.  Jess becomes more courageous and teaches Leslie that everyone deserves kindness.  One rainy day Miss Edmunds the music teacher invites Jess to the National Gallery in Washington D.C.  Jess has the best day of his life but it soon turns to the worst as tragedy strikes Jess the Burkes and Teribithia. 

Review:  This is an excellent book.  Jess and Leslie’s families and lives are just as interesting as the adventures they create in Teribithia. I would enjoy being the Queen of a magical land where I could always be safe and could sometimes be a hero.  Peterson creates wonderful characters and reveals their humanity in small bits.  May Belle, Jess’ younger sister is a beautiful young girl who idolizes and pesters her brother.  You will love her as much as Jess does.   This book is a quick read that you will remember for a very long time. 

If you like this book you may also like: The Bridge to Terabithia (Film, 2007), Tuck Everlasting, The Chronicles of Narnia.