Customer Reviews

Bridge to Terabithia

5 star:		(518)
4 star:		(198)
3 star:		(57)
2 star:		(18)
1 star:		(48)

 

 

Leslie was more than his friend; she was his other, more exciting, self, his way to Terabithia and all the worlds beyond. -Bridge to Terabithia

Okay, before I make this unmanly confession, let me first state in my own defense that I have two small children and I was listening to the conclusion of this book at a very early hour, before I'd even had breakfast to fortify me for the day. That said, I'll now acknowledge that I very nearly started sobbing...

In 1976, Katherine Paterson's son David was 8 years old when his friend, Lisa Hill, was struck by lightning and killed. A year later Bridge to Terabithia was published, winning a Newberry Medal and becoming, if such a thing is possible, an instant classic. Ms Paterson drew upon this personal tragedy to create the story of a boy, Jess Aarons, and a girl, Leslie Burke, in rural Virginia, who become the best of friends. Jess is the middle child, and only son, of a reticent father, who struggles to earn a living. Leslie is the daughter, and only child, of two successful writers who have moved to the country, next door to the Aarons, for lifestyle reasons.

The friendship between the two kids is hesitant at first, particularly after Leslie usurps Jess's title as the fastest runner in their 5th grade class at Lark Creek Elementary. But both have some trouble fitting in with theirs peers, Jess because of his interest in Art, Leslie because of her scholastic ability and her parents' very 70s social attitudes (like not having a TV), and this shared awkwardness gives them a unique bond. Leslie creates an imaginary kingdom called Terabithia for them to rule over, accessible only be a rope swing over a local creek. The imaginary adventures they share there and a series of incidents at school bring the two closer and closer together. But then an ugly reality intrudes upon their idyllic world and the various characters are forced to deal with a tragic death. To say more might ruin the story, so let's leave it at that.

I understand that the use of this book in classrooms is frequently challenged by parents. If the reason for this is that they feel that the central crisis of the book may be too intense for children, I can sympathize with their feeling. But it seems like an intensity that is well worth their children's while. Ms Paterson handles the situation quite beautifully and affords a real opportunity for parents to discuss the matter of death with their kids, a topic which most families hopefully haven't much had to cope with. Reading the book is a difficult emotional experience, but better to first confront these emotions in a controlled fictional setting and begin to learn how to deal with them, than to remain totally sheltered and have to deal with them, completely unprepared, when the tragedy is real.

GRADE : A

While I respect parents looking out for their children, I think someone should listen up for a moment and take note of one fact. While many children complain that this book is "boring", we must remember that most fifth-grade children call any book that they did not choose for themselves as boring. In this day and age, children are not satisfied with books, as they require a slightly longer attention span than the television set. Those claims have now been tossed out the window.

Now... parents. Sometimes mild censoring of books is understandable. Children should not read books with explicit sex scenes, mostly because they wouldn't understand what's going on. Children should probably not read books like "Mein Kampf" and get the impression that this is right. However, are we now to declare such simple and basic concepts as friendship and death as "inappropriate for children"? Isn't it the opposite? These books prepare children for the inevitable. Sometimes accidents happen. Grandparents, parents, family, and friends can all die. Fifth graders know what "death" means. Are we to shelter them forever?

Of course not. I read this book in fifth or fourth grade, and I loved it. I started crying, and crying. This book made me feel so many emotions, and that's what the purpose of a really good book is. Should we all read action-packed books with no feeling? Of course not! This portrays friendship and the loss of a friend in such a clear, solemn way. We see how Jesse (the main character) struggles to deal with this. He's only a kid, after all. We feel it all - without actually going through that pain.

Regarding other claims about this book that it is not for children, let us remember one thing. These are children in the book. They think like children. They act like children. Their friendships and ties and feelings are those of children. Adults and older teens tend to find this book "boring". It is not intended for adults, but for kids to read and grow.

I read this as a kid, and I loved it. I read it today, and I love it. It's bound to bring tears to your eyes and is so powerful and wonderful every time you read it. Every child reader will love and appreciate this book.

CHARACTERS: Jesse Oliver Aarons, Jr., a ten-year-old boy, middle child in a family of four sisters, whose parents are desperately poor; and Leslie Burke, new girl from the city whose arrival forever changes Jesse's life and the attitudes of the students at Lark Creek Elementary School.

SUMMARY: Young Jesse, who lives in poverty in the countryside in Virgnia, has big plans for the first week of school: he's run hard all summer and is sure he's now the fastest boy in fifth grade. Despite the fact that his dream is shattered by the arrival of a lean, lanky girl named Leslie Burke who moves to his school district from Arlington, Jesse and the newcomer become best friends. She never gloats over the fact that SHE is the fastest kid in the class, and the fact that the two are outcasts at school draws them into friendship.

Together the two find, name, and create a magical kingdom in the woods that they reach by swinging across a creek on a rope tied to a tree limb. Jesse and Leslie keep Terabithia their secret, telling neither family nor schoolmates about the hours of make-believe fun they spend there. They name themselves king and queen of Terabithia and play elaborate games almost every day.

Leslie's parents are attractive, educated professional writers who left their busy lives in the city for the simplicity and quiet of the country. The Burkes begin fixing up an old house close to Jesse's, and Jesse proves himself quite handy with carpentry and electrical repairs. When the weather is unfit for playing in the woods, Jesse and Leslie help Mr. Burke at home.

Jesse has a crush on the beautiful music teacher who was new to the school district the previous year. Fearing ridicule from his family (particulary his father) and classmates, Jesse has shown his artwork only to Miss Edmunds. One rainy day she invites Jesse to accompany her to Washington DC to see the National Gallery. Jesse is awed by the fabulous works of art, and regrets only that he didn't think to ask his teacher if Leslie could come with them.

When he returns from Washington, Jesse learns at a tender age how irrevocably one's life can change in the course of one short day.

IMPRESSIONS: This was required reading for a children's literature course that I took; otherwise, I probably wouldn't have chosen it on my own, judging solely by the title. However, "Bridge to Terabithia" is an excellent book. It's a quick read, but one that will leave you crying for hours--which is exactly what you want from a book sometimes!

BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA opens after Jess has spent his summer preparing himself for the races he and his classmates run during recess at their rural school. More than anything in the world, Jess wants to win, and he intends to do so. What he doesn't expect is to be outdistanced by a girl, especially one who has just moved in down the road. Yet Leslie doesn't care that she has beaten all the boys in fifth grade, she just wants a friend. Jess realizes that he wants this,also. The two ten year olds become inseparable and create a wonderful fantasy world across the creek called Terabithia. They get there by swinging across the creek on a vine. Here, they can forget the trying real world they leave temporarily behind. This exquisite, lyrical story was written by the author in tribute to a loved one. The story is timeless and endearing, as is demonstrated by its longevity. A book to be loved. A story to be remembered. Once you have read this book, whenever you see the title, it will tug at your heart. If you are an adult who doesn't read children's books, try this one.

Some years ago several friends and I were trying to remember the first book we'd read which focused on loss. "Lord of the Flies" came first to mind...and then I mentioned Terabithia. One of the others looked at me, eyes wide. "I'd forgotten about that completely...I cried for two days...."

So had I.

It's interesting to read the reviews; the negatives are to be expected. Typically, it's from those with a neo-Victorian view of childhood as a time of innocence and sweetness, where only corrupting influences (like realistic novels) lead to wickedness. No, I'm afraid, children can be nasty, wicked and cruel all on their own. The best antidote is in words that sear empathy into the soul. Terabithia does that.

Jess is the middle child. Not only that, but he's the only boy and has four sisters. While his older sisters rule his house, he gets stuck with the chores. Things aren't much better at school where he really has no friends and just tries to survive the day.

Jess has decided that this year, he's going to be the fastest kid in fifth grade. He practices all summer, only to see his dream evaporate when his new neighbor wins the race. Worse yet, she's a girl.

But Leslie isn't like the other kids. Almost despite himself, Jess begins to open up to her and they quickly become inseparable. Together, they create a mythical kingdom on the edge of their properties where they rule and conquer all. But tragedy is on the horizon. What will happen when it strikes?

First a word of warning. This book deals with heavy subjects. While they are handled in a sensitive way, parents may want to read this book with their child. It should open up lots of good discussions.

Because this book should be read. While the story moves slowly in the beginning, the characters are fascinating. Ms. Paterson captures the world of fifth graders expertly both at school and at home. And when the story does get going, it packs a wallop. I, a grown man, was crying at the conclusion. Okay, so I cry at lots of stuff. While the story is sad, the ending is truly bitter sweet. Very little time is spent in Terabithia. Instead, we see how its creation affects Jess and Leslie in their daily lives.

This book deals with a sensitive subject in a powerful manner kids can relate to. Deserves to be read and discussed.

Newberry Medal winner, BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA, by Katherine Paterson, deserves five stars out of five.

I give this book five stars because this is an amazing story of friendship, imagination, love, and loss. As I read BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA, I knew exactly what the main characters, Jess and Leslie, were feeling. Ms. Paterson gave so many details, I could paint a picture in my mind of Leslie, Jess, and everything around them.

BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA is the story of Jesse Oliver Aarons, Jr., a fifth grader at Lark Creek Elementary. Jess loves to draw, and he does it every spare moment that he has, whether it be at his desk in Monster Mouth Myer's class, or at night, in his room. Jess's father hates it when Jess draws. And Jess knows it. The only two people in the world who seem to believe in him and his art are his beautiful, 'hippie' music teacher, Miss Edmunds, and the weird new girl, Leslie Burke. Leslie is about the stangest person Jess has ever met. She dresses like a boy, and looks like one too, with her hair about as short a Jess's. Despite her appearance, Jess finds that Leslie and he have much in common, and they soon become best friends. One day, Leslie and Jess hike through the woods, and find a 'magical' kingdom that they pull from their imaginations. They call it Terabithia. They go to their kingdom to solve their problems with bullies, and families, and helps them deal with the tragedy that affects them all.

Other titles that I would recommend are THE GOOSE GIRL, ENNA BURNING, and RIVER SECRETS by Shannon Hale. I would also suggest WALK TWO MOONS, and THE WANDERER, by Sharon Creech. I am a student at Harris Road.

If you have an 11 year old or older buy them this book. I was in 4th grade when I read this book I read it about every 2-3 years. Im 24 now and I can't wait to see the movie that comes out on friday.

This book shows life through the eyes of an artsy preeteen boy named Jesse, who meets an unique girl named Leslie. Togeather they create an imaginary world that only they can see and experiance and Leslie teaches Jesse that being different isn't the end of the world, but the begining. When you are different you can see things and love things that the rest of the world have no idea even exist.

This book deals with alot of issues we expeariance for the first time in our adolessance and is a great way for children (and I would recomend this as a quick read for adults) to learn to cope with loss, death, competition, and being different.

Any book Katherine Paterson wirtes will leace you touched and knowing you are not alone in the trials of life.

This book is both happy and sad at the same time, because people die. Also people become fond of each other. I would recommend this book to 3rd-5th graders, boys or girls because it is a fun and interesting book. Also, it's not just about girls or just about boys, it's about both.

The genre is Realistic Fiction. So, I would recommend this book to people who like things that aren't true, but could happen. If you like exciting and sad books you should read this book!

The author described her characters very nicely. You could see them in your mind. It was like you were there!

Jess is a young boy growing up in a difficult home. His father spends his days at work and comes home grouchy. His sisters seem to get away with everything, especially the older two, while his mother is constantly nagging him. Then he meets a new friend who opens his eyes to the world of imagination. This is the touching story of two children with a friendship that no mortal hand can touch, and the tragedy that happens when it is suddenly destroyed.