Title: Bridge to Terabithia

Author: Katherine Patterson

Date Published: 1977

Main Characters:

Jesse Oliver Aarons, Jr.

Jesse is the principal character of the book. We live the story through his eyes. He is an ordinary fifth grade boy who lives in a rural town. He is a lonely and imaginative boy, and he discovers the value of the friendship when he meets Leslie.

Leslie Burke

Leslie is the new girl who comes to live in the town. She is brave, and kind. Jess’s best friend. She will help Jess to discover his courage and his imagination.

Quotes:

“It made Jess ache inside to watch his dad grab the little ones to his shoulder, or lean down and hug them”

His father treats him differently. Jess feels lonely because he does not receive affection from his father.

“It needed Leslie to make the magic. He was afraid he would destroy everything by trying to force the magic on his own”

Jess goes to Terabithia once alone but does not believe in herself. He thinks that he needs Leslie’s help.

PRIMLY: (Adv) Formally precise or proper, as persons or behavior; stiffly neat.

JABBED: (Verb) To punch, especially with a short, quick blow.

GRINNED: (Verb) Smile broadly, especially in an unrestrained manner and with the mouth open.

HOPSCOTCH: (Noun) A children’s game in which each child by turn hops into and over squares marked on the ground to retrieve a marker thrown into one of these squares.

SHUFFLING: (Verb) Walk by dragging one’s feet along or without lifting them fully from the ground.

SHRUGGED: (Verb) Raise (one’s shoulders) slightly and momentarily to express doubt, ignorance, or indifference.

BULGING: (Verb) Swell or protrude to an unnatural or incongruous extent.

UTTERLY: (Adv) Completely and without qualification; absolutely.

GARBLED: (Verb) Reproduce (a message, sound, or transmission) in a confused and distorted way.

DRIBBLED: (Verb) To fall or flow in drops or small quantities; trickle.

Jess is boy who lives in a rural area of the South. He loves to paint and draw, but he knows very well that this labels him a “sissy” in the eyes of most of the world, particularly his father. He loves to run and he practices each morning, because he dreams to win. One day, when the races come around at recess, a new girl, Leslie Burke, who just moved next door to Jess, crosses to the boys’ side of the playground and wins to everyone. Jess and Leslie become friends. They build a secret fantasyland in the woods, called Terabithia, where they play all the time. There they forget the rest of the world, such as the kids at school and their families. The time they spend in Terabithia, seems to strengthen them for these trials of everyday life and it is there that they discuss Jess’s feelings of insecurity. Leslie also introduces Jess to the world of imagination and creativity, telling him the stories like Moby Dick and Hamlet. Leslie motivates to Jess in his artistic talent and ability. But much of the time they play wonderful games of their own invention. However, Jess and Leslie’s friendship is not limited to Terabithia. They see each other at school, where they take a good deal of ribbing for their friendship. At home, they celebrate holidays together, such as Christmas, when Jess gives Leslie a puppy and she gives him an art set to develop his artistic talent, and Easter when Leslie goes to church for the first time with Jess. Leslie is impressed by the beauty of the story of Christ. Jess and Leslie remain the best of friends, and Jess finds a purpose in his life through Leslie’s company that he’s never had before. One day, Mrs. Edmunds, who is a music teacher, invites Jess to tour the art galleries in Washington. Jess has a nice day and enjoys the trip, He feels special in Mrs. Edmunds’ company. When he returns home, his sister tells him that Leslie dies when she drowned in the creek that morning trying to swing into Terabithia on the rope that they used for their games. Jess is devastated because Leslie was his best friend. Jess feels lonely and lost without Leslie. However, he realizes that he can only keep Leslie’s memory if he continuing the fantasy of Terabithia. He brings his little sister May Belle to Terabithia and makes her its new queen.

A highly recommended book. In it, we will discover the personal development of Jess and the strengthening of the true friendship that can exist between a boy and a girl. Also, the fascinating way in which the author takes us through a world of fantasy. Without a doubt, a book for all ages.