Bridge to Terabithia
by Katherine Paterson
128pgs, ages 9-12
This books is one of those I consider a literary classic. It is beautiful, creative, and tragic all at once. It sticks with you. It is one of the few books that was assigned reading in school that I remember vividly. My shiny new copy arrived in my Scholastic book order recently and I am setting this one aside for a little bit because I think my daughter will struggle with the content.
Instead of getting my recollections, I give you the summary from the back of the book:
Jess Aarons' 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 classmate's faces when he beats them all. But on the first day of school, a new girl boldly crosses over to the boys' side of the playground and outruns everyone.
That's not a very promising beginning for a friendship, but Jess and Leslie Burks become inseperable. 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, their imaginations set the only limits. Then one morning a terrible tragedy occurs. Only when Jess is ale to come to grips with this tragedy does he finally understand the strength and courage Leslie has given him.
This book was the winner of the Newberry Medal in 1978.
Topics: Bullying, interesting family situations, sibling rivalry, death, depression