Barnes & NobleBridge to Terabithia 40th Anniversary Edition- A Newbery Award Winner by Katherine Paterson

Good Book!

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson is an inspiring novel on friendship and teaches the life lesson on never taking things for granted. Jesse, or “Jess” Aarons is a young boy who grew up in poverty with 4 sisters. Jess struggles to find himself and feels lost. His love for art confuses his dad and Jess starts to think he should be focusing on more “manly” things rather than art. When Leslie Burke moves next door, she and Jess form a quick bond and become friends. Leslie is smart, kind and creative. She grew up without a television so her imagination grew in many ways. She shares her idea with Jess and they create a made up kingdom called “Terabithia” in the middle of the woods. Jess and Leslie swing across rivers and jump over broken trees. They even build a treehouse and use that as their way to “escape” from their ordinary lives. Jess is a good student, and forms good bonds with his teacher. Miss Edmunds always believed in Jess even when no one else did. She encouraged his interest in art. One day Jess goes with her to an art museum. Leslie decides to go to the land of “Terabithia” by herself as Jess wasn't home. Jess is having a good time with his teacher and thanks her for the fun time as he exits the car. When Jess enters his home he is greeted with hugs, joyful tears, and kisses. He is confused as he only went to the museum. After the hugs and kisses end Jess gets hit with news that changed his life. “Leslie died”. Jess’s heart sinks and he feels sick, he refuses to believe it is real. His parents try to explain what happened but it all just sounds like gibberish. A few days later Jess attends her funeral, he wishes that he could be home in his bed. He goes to school but it doesn't feel the same, the broken rope still hangs over the river.