Bridge To Terabithia

My son used it for school

My daughter loved it

When Jess Aarons, main characters of this wonderful book, decides to be friends with the strange new neighbor girl, who sports jean shorts and sneakers (a strange look for a girl in Lark Creek), his entire life is changed. The new neighbor, Leslie Burke, leads Jess into a totally new world of magic, noble spirits, kinghood, and friendship. Together they create Terabithia, a magical kingdom only entered by swinging across the creek, a place that can be “just for us,” as Leslie puts it. But when Leslie unexpectedly dies Jess is left alone in Terabithia and must face his grief and loss and learn to honor the parts of Leslie that were left behind in him and in Terabithia.Paterson’s earnest and sincere tone approaches along with the straightforward writing style allows younger readers (around 10 and up) approach more complex childhood issues such as grief, loss, and loneliness in such a way that does not dismiss children’s ability to understand that simultaneously remains honest and not overly poetic. Paterson shows her readers, specifically children, that it is okay to feel pain and sorrow when you lose someone you love. In 1978, it won the Newbery Medal for obviously displaying “respect for children's understandings, abilities, and appreciations.”Nevertheless, the book is sometimes viewed as controversial and not age appropriate because of its approach to religion and because of some mild swearing. The quote “God ain't gonna send any little girls to hell” (said by Mr. Aarons) and because of the way Leslie questions why one must believe the Bible makes the book “questionable” to some. However, the frank approach to these questions through the character Leslie’s voice, and the confrontation of grief and loss, through Jess’s experiences, give children a voice and a way to approach these questions and emotions in a more tangible and real way.