Jess Aarons has been practicing all summer so he can be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. And he almost is, until the new girl in school, Leslie Burke, outpaces him. The two become fast friends and spend most days in the woods behind Leslie's house, where they invent an enchanted land called Terabithia. One morning, Leslie goes to Terabithia without Jess and a tragedy occurs. It will take the love of his family and the strength that Leslie has given him for Jess to be able to deal with his grief.

The life of a ten-year-old boy in rural Virginia expands when he becomes friends with a newcomer, and they invent a hideaway, called Terabithia.

FROM BOOKPERK: Bridge to Terabithia is a story of two fifth graders who invent a magical land, showing readers how to explore their artistic impulses and rely on friends for strength and support. After a tragedy, Paterson's book teaches about coping with intense grief and finding strength within. ( )

2023 - ‘70’s Immersion Reading Challenge

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (1977; 2003 ed.) 163 pages.

READING LEVEL 4.6 AR POINTS 5.0

Excellent! I really had no idea what this book was about. This story actually brought out some emotions from me. It’s been a long time since a book has done that.

I found myself giggling because the author captured the siblings quarrels so perfectly. The silly things they did and said to each other is exactly how it goes down with siblings.

I could relate to their castle and imagination over the creek and in the woods. We didn’t have castles, but we had make believe homes connected to each other by trails. It wasn’t over a creek. Our getaway was across the street, well away from parents.

I unexpectedly teared up at the end…more from the compassion 10-year-old Jesse Aaron’s father showed him…finally…after losing his good friend and neighbor, Leslie Burke.

.There are only two cuss words, p. 11 (hellhole) and p. 18 (bitch), but, putting that aside, this really is a story 4th and 5th graders will really enjoy and can relate to.

Books-to-Movie

Bridge to Terabithia (2007), starring Josh Hutcherson as Jesse Aarons and Annasophia Robb as Leslie Burke.

1/13/2023 UPDATE: I watched the movie with my daughter and four of my grandsons, aged 5-7. I looked over to see my daughter bawling her eyes out at the end. Of course we all were cracking up at her. The boys really enjoyed the movie. The forest was full of mythical creatures drawn up from the kids imagination. Quite different from the book, which was about kings and queens and things. We had to keep reminding the kids that this was all in their imaginations, and if they would get off those X-boxes and Nintendo games, and get outside and play, they could have imaginations too.

A BANNED BOOK

Evidently one of the most banned youth books in the U.S. because of its references to witchcraft and atheism and swearing, and is morbidly depressing for young minds. Since this was written for fourth to fifth graders, all of the above might be something to consider for young kids. I read this as an adult and thought it was all just their imaginations. But, the movie is different with mythical creatures and appears to just be kids imaginations of scary things in the woods. ( )

No books can ever be as good as those you read as a child. ( )

Independent Reading Level: 4th Grade
Awards/Honors: Newbery Medal ( )