Summary
Bridge to Terabithia is a celebrated children's novel by Katherine Paterson. Awarded the Newbery Medal in 1978, the story is a poignant exploration of friendship, imagination, and the process of dealing with grief. Set in a rural town, it follows the life of 10-year-old Jesse "Jess" Aarons, an aspiring artist facing familial and financial hardships, and his transformative friendship with his new neighbor, Leslie Burke, a bright and adventurous girl from a more affluent background.
Jess and Leslie quickly become inseparable friends, bonding over shared escapades in the woods behind Leslie's house. There, they create "Terabithia," a magical kingdom where they reign as king and queen. This imaginary realm becomes a sanctuary for them, a place of refuge from the challenges of their everyday lives. However, their friendship takes a tragic turn when Leslie dies in an accident while going to Terabithia, leaving Jess to navigate the tumultuous waters of loss and grief alone. The themes of the novel revolve around the strength found in friendship, the courage required to face life's challenges, and the power of imagination to provide solace and understanding.
Bridge to Terabithia was inspired by a real-life tragedy—the death of author Katherine Paterson's son's friend. This imbues the story with a profound sense of authenticity and emotional depth. Though occasionally challenged for its exploration of difficult subjects such as death, grief, and bullying, the book remains a significant work in children's literature for its honest and compassionate treatment of young people's experiences.
In addition to its critical acclaim, Bridge to Terabithia has been adapted into two films and a stage play, demonstrating its enduring appeal and the universal relevance of its themes. It continues to be a staple in educational settings around the world, encouraging discussions on friendship, loss, and resilience amongst readers of all ages.
Themes
Coping with loss and grief
Strength and vulnerability of friendship
Imagination and escapism
Transition from childhood to adolescence
Bravery and fear
Conflict between reality and fantasy
Family dynamics and support
Effects of social and economic class
Personal growth and self-discovery
Setting
Bridge to Terabithia is rooted in a blend of real and imaginary worlds that mirror the experiences and emotions of its protagonists. The story unfolds in a rural area of the United States, amidst the familiar backdrop of a humble school environment and the homes of the central characters, fifth graders Jess Aarons and Leslie Burke. Jess's world is one of modest means, contrasting with Leslie's more affluent background as a newcomer from Arlington, Virginia. This rural setting, with its open spaces and proximity to nature, is crucial for the development of the story's central theme—the creation of the magical kingdom of Terabithia.
Terabithia itself, an enchanted land birthed from the vivid imaginations of Jess and Leslie, is located in the woods behind Leslie's house. The entrance to this imaginary realm is notably marked by a creek, which can be crossed only by swinging on an old rope, a physical threshold that symbolizes the transition from reality into the realm of fantasy. This imaginary setting plays a key role in the plot, representing a place of refuge, freedom, and ultimately, a place for Jess to confront his grief and grow.
The novel seems to be set in the late 1970s. This era reflects a simpler time before the ubiquity of digital technology, where children's outdoor play and imaginative ventures in nature were common. The genuine interactions and adventures in both the real and imagined settings of Bridge to Terabithia offer a poignant contrast to one another.
Characters
Jesse Aarons: A fifth-grader who has been training all summer to be the fastest runner in his grade. He is an artistic boy who becomes courageous and learns to deal with his anger and frustration after meeting Leslie.
Leslie Burke: An imaginative, intelligent, and adventurous girl who befriends Jesse. She creates the kingdom of Terabithia and tragically dies in an accident, impacting Jesse deeply.
May Belle Aarons: Jesse's younger sister, who looks up to him and becomes the queen of Terabithia after Leslie's death.
Ellie and Brenda Aarons: Jesse's older sisters, mostly portrayed as self-centered and demanding.
Joyce Ann Aarons: Jesse's youngest sister, described as a baby with no significant role in the story.
Janice Avery: The school bully who becomes important to the story when Jesse and Leslie play a prank on her, leading to an unexpected friendship.
Miss Edmunds: Jesse's music teacher, who encourages his artistic talents and inadvertently causes Jesse to be away when Leslie's accident occurs.
Prince Terrien (P.T.): The puppy that Jesse gives Leslie for Christmas, serving as the guardian and court jester of Terabithia.
Gary Fulcher: Another student who competes with Jesse to be the fastest runner in the fifth grade.
Mrs. Myers: Jesse and Leslie's teacher, nicknamed "Monster Mouth Myers," who shares a special bond with Leslie.
William and Judith Burke: Leslie's parents, novelists who value creative and intellectual pursuits over watching television.
FAQs
What age group is the book suitable for?
Bridge to Terabithia is ideal for tween readers in grades five to six, or children approximately 10 to 12 years old. However, many themes within the novel can resonate with people of all ages.
What are the book's main themes?
The main themes in Bridge to Terabithia include friendship, loss, imagination, and coming of age. The story also touches on courage, grief, family relationships, and the importance of acceptance and understanding.
Why has the book been challenged by parents, teachers, and religious groups?
Bridge to Terabithia has been a target for censors due to its inclusion of death as part of the plot, allegations of promoting secular humanism, New Age religion, occultism, and Satanism, and for the character's casual use of the word "lord" outside of prayer. Despite these challenges, it remains a celebrated piece of children's literature.
What inspired Katherine Paterson to write the book?
Katherine Paterson was inspired to write Bridge to Terabithia by a real-life tragedy when her son's friend was struck and killed by lightning. This event influenced her portrayal of loss and grief in the story, aiming to process and deal with the complexities of such profound emotions.
How has the book been adapted in other media?
Bridge to Terabithia was adapted into a PBS TV movie in 1985 and a widely released film in 2007. Additionally, a musical stage adaptation exists, highlighting its impact across various forms of media.
What awards has the book won?
Bridge to Terabithia won the prestigious Newbery Medal in 1978, acknowledging it as a significant contribution to children's literature. It has also been named an ALA Notable Children's Book among other accolades.
Is the book part of a series?
Bridge to Terabithia is a standalone novel. Despite this, its profound themes and memorable characters continue to inspire and influence readers, educators, and other authors in the realm of children's literature.
Quotes
"It's like the smarter you are, the more things can scare you."
"You have to believe it and you hate it. I don't have to and I think it's beautiful."
"It was up to him to pay back to the world in beauty and caring what Leslie had loaned him in vision and strength."
"Sometimes it seemed to him that his life was delicate as a dandelion. One little puff from any direction, and it was blown to bits."
"You never know ahead of time what something's really going to be like."
"You think it's so great to die and make everyone cry and carry on. Well it ain't."
"Everybody gets scared sometimes ... You don't have to be ashamed."
"When my husband died, people kept telling me not to cry. People kept trying to help me to forget. But I didn't want to forget ... So I realize, that if it's hard for me, how much harder it must be for you."
"That was the rule that you never mixed up troubles at home with life at school. When parents were poor or ignorant or mean, or even just didn't believe in having a TV set, it was up to their kids to protect them."
Quick facts
Bridge to Terabithia was inspired by a real-life tragedy that affected author Katherine Paterson's son. His friend, Lisa Christina Hill, died after being struck by lightning in 1974.
Paterson has admitted that the name "Terabithia" was probably unconsciously borrowed from C.S. Lewis's Narnian island "Terebinthia," which in turn was likely named after the biblical terebinth tree.
Bridge to Terabithia directly references The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of books that Leslie lends to Jess in the story, further tying Paterson's work to that of C.S. Lewis.
Bridge to Terabithia has frequently been the target of censorship, landing at number eight on the American Library Association's list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books for the decade 1990-2000.
In 2012, Bridge to Terabithia was ranked number 10 among all-time best children's novels in a survey published by School Library Journal.
About the author
Katherine Womeldorf Paterson is an internationally esteemed American author of more than 35 children's and young adult novels. Her best-known work, Bridge to Terabithia, published in 1977, explores themes of friendship, loss, and the power of imagination. This novel, alongside The Great Gilly Hopkins and others, showcases her skill in addressing complex themes with empathy and honesty.
Paterson was born on October 31, 1932, in Huai'an, Jiangsu, China, to Presbyterian missionaries. Her early experiences in a turbulent, war-torn setting deeply influenced her storytelling. Her family's relocation to the United States at the onset of World War II marked the beginning of a life filled with frequent moves, laying the groundwork for themes of estrangement and resilience in her later works. Her educational journey was marked by her struggle and eventual mastery of the English language, culminating in a summa cum laude degree in English from King College, Bristol, Tennessee, in 1954. Her initial aspiration was in missionary work, leading her to Japan after the closure of China to Westerners. During her time there, she developed a deep respect and love for the culture, elements of which resonate through her novels.
Over her career, Katherine Paterson has received prestigious awards, including two Newbery Medals and two National Book Awards. She achieved global recognition with the Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 1998 and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2006. In addition to being the second U.S. National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature (2010-2011), her commitment to literacy and education is evident through her active involvement in various literacy organizations. She currently resides in Barre, Vermont, where she continues to inspire readers with her stories of hope, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit.
