Paterson, Katherine. (1972). Bridge to Terabithia. New York, NY: Crown.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Awards: Newberry Medal, ALA Notable Children's Book
Lexile Measure: 810L
DRA: 50
AR: 4.6
Summary: Jess is a small town boy entering the 5th grade. He's been practicing running all summer long to be the fastest boy in school. Leslie is the new girl in town, and to everybody's surprise she outruns everyone, including Jess. Even though Jess is mad at Leslie for beating him in the races, they instantly become best friends. They make up an imaginary world in the woods, Terabithia, where they make themselves rulers. Terabithia lets them escape their troubles at home and bullies at school, there they can be their true selves. Soon Jess will have to use the magic of Terabithia to face a tragic event and face life alone.
Reader Response: Friendship is the central theme of the story. The author does a great job describing how Leslie's actions and conversations with Jess, makes him take off the pressure from home at least when they're together. Through their friendship they discover new things about themselves and make each other discover new things about themselves. The book also touches on childhood, both characters come from different home styles and upbringings, but together they feel comfortable with themselves. Another theme in the story is individuality, Jess likes to draw, but his dad disapproves it, he says it's a girls hobby. Leslie has trouble fitting in in the small town because she's a girl and wears pants, has short hair, and plays sports. The story also touches grief and loss, readers will feel Jess's pain of losing a best friend and learn that memories help the heart heal.
Other books by Katherine Patterson:
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