Bridge to Terabithia

Paterson, K.  (1977).  Bridge to Terabithia.  New York:  HarperTrophy.

Jess Aarons is a young boy who is just trying to make it through another year of school, doing the same thing day in and day out.  But when Leslie and her family move in down the road, the two become inseparable friends and create a mystical place called Terabithia.  Everything seems to be going well for the pair until the day that Jess finds out that Leslie was in a fatal accident, and he has no idea how to handle his grief.  Yet after receiving support from his family and remembering how Leslie taught him to see the world with different eyes, he realizes that she had been giving him strength all along to move on.  Each of Donna Diamond’s illustrations represent the important moments in Jess’s life.  With themes about loss of innocence, family, and friendship, this is an excellent read for upper elementary and secondary grade kids.  Paterson also uses the paints to symbolize Leslie and the new outlook that Jess has about the world around him.  Jess is also a character that has a conscious that most readers can sympathize with, especially when he struggles to face his grief and come to terms with Leslie’s death.  This is a 1978 Newbery Medal Winner, as well as in the 2002 and 2003 Top 10 List for Most Challenged books.  Here is the link to the author’s website: http://katherinepaterson.com/