Introduction: Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Harper Collins Publishers Bridge To Terabithia

Katherine Paterson was inspired to write Bridge to Terabithia when her son’s close friend was killed by lightning. Published in 1977, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson is a children’s book about the friendship between Jess Aarons and Leslie Burke. Nine year old Leslie is an only child and 10 year old Jess is one of five children and the middle child.

Jess is feeling neglected as the middle child and doing too many chores in the household because his two older sisters are skilled at getting out of performing chores and his two younger sisters, May Belle who is six years old and Joyce Anne who is four are considered to be too young to help out around the home.

The father works very hard, so when he returns home from his long commute from DC, he is too tired and doesn’t pay any attention to Jess. The young boy is feeling like he doesn’t have enough time for himself, and wants a quiet place where he can draw.

UPDATE: First Published April 2015

The Story: Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

When Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson starts, it is the summer and Jess is training because he wants to be the fastest runner in fifth grade at Lark Creek Elementary School. For one day, on April 22nd, when he was in fourth grade, he won and was the hero at his school for a day. Each morning, before Jess does his chores, he runs across the meadows of his family’s small farm in rural Virginia – outside of Washington DC.

One morning while he is racing he notices someone sitting on a fence, but because of the way the person is dressed, and the hairstyle, he has a hard time figuring out if it’s a girl or a boy, and that’s the first time he sees Leslie. Jess craves his father’s attention, and it is hope that if he becomes the fastest runner, his father will become proud of him. Leslie’s family recently moved into the old Perkins place, next to their farm.

When school opens after the summer holidays, the running resumes during recess, and Jess is confident that he is the fastest runner because he has been training so much. Leslie wants to participate, but the other boys do not want to allow her because she is a girl. Jess stands up for her and she ends up running faster than all the boys, including Jess, for the entire week, so that’s the end of running because which boy wants to lose a race against a girl? The other children at Lark Creek Elementary do not like Leslie because she looks, dresses and behaves differently from them.

Leslie and Jess develop a friendship, and you see the lad transforming into who he might become. Leslie likes him for who he is and doesn’t judge him. Jess’ father does not approve of his artistic abilities, though he is quite good, but his music teacher, Miss Edmunds, encourages him to continue drawing. Leslie and Jess find a secret place, between both properties, where they create an imaginary Kingdom that they name Terabithia, and the two become king and queen.

Leslie opens up a new world for him, also telling him about the books she read such as Narnia. Jess’ self-confidence starts to soar, running is no longer important to him because he has something to look forward to – Terabithia. For Christmas, Jess sees a sign for free puppies and gets one for Leslie’s present, while she gets him a paint set. They name the puppy Prince Terrien.

One day, Miss Edmunds takes Jess to some of the museums in DC, but he doesn’t get permission from his parents to go. When he returns home, he realizes that something is very wrong, and he learns that Leslie died while he was out. The parents think that he too had died. Jess doesn’t believe that Leslie is dead, but the good thing is that his father is there for him during this very difficult time. In honor of Leslie, who was more like an extension of himself, he makes the trek to Terabithia to hold a ceremony in her honor.

“”It’s a sign from the Spirits,” Jess said quietly. “We made a worthy offering.”

He walked slowly, as part of a great procession, though only the puppy could be seen, slowly forward carrying the queen’s wreath to the sacred grove. He forced himself deep into the dark center of the grove and, kneeling, laid the wreath upon the thick carpet of golden needles.

“Father, into Thy hands I commend her spirit.” He knew Leslie would have liked those words. They had the ring of the sacred grove in them.

The solemn procession wound its way through the sacred grove homeward to the castle.

Like a single bird across a stormcloud sky, a tiny peace winged its way through the chaos inside his body.”

He also uses the lumber he received from Leslie’s parents to build a bridge to Terabithia. May Belle follows him to see where he is going and he carefully leads her to meet the imaginary people of Terabithia.

Conclusion: Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Although Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson is a children’s book, it demonstrates the power that friends have over each other.

It’s often been said that you are the sum total of the five people closest to you, who are you spending your time with? I recommend Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. After you’ve read the book, you can watch the film, Bridge to Terabithia [Blu-ray]

Books by Katherine Paterson

Bridge to TerabithiaJacob Have I LovedThe Same Stuff as StarsThe Great Gilly HopkinsStories of My LifeA Stubborn Sweetness and Other Stories for the Christmas SeasonThe Day of the PelicanThe Master PuppeteerLyddie (A Puffin Novel)

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