Bridge to Terabithia By: Katherine Paterson Mrs. Mulkey 5th/6th Combo

Jesse Oliver Aarons Jr. 10 years old and in 5th grade Neighbor of Leslie Burke. Enjoys running foot races at school. Very artistic At first Jesse was very unhappy and angry. Over time learns to let go of his frustration.

Leslie Burke New student to Jesse’s school Not socially accepted by other kids. Is an atheist, does not believe there is a god. Not very girlie; a tomboy. Intelligent and outgoing Talented in gymnastics, creative writing, running and swimming. Created Terabithia

From rivals to friends…… Jesse Aarons spent all summer training to become the fastest runner in class. He becomes infuriated when he is beat by the newcomer, Leslie Burke. During Music class Jesse becomes fond of the peculiar girl who is not liked by the other kids.

Problem Jesse Aarons faces hardships and burdens due to his home life. He has many duties on his family’s farm and the constant annoyance of his sisters has left him angry and very unhappy. Leslie moves into the neighborhood and is a newcomer to Jesse’s school. She is not liked by the other kids at school.

Teaming up against a bully…. Older girl named Janice Avery was a bully at their school. Janice takes a dessert from Jesse’s sister May Belle at lunch one day. Jesse and Les lie come up with a plan for revenge. Pretended to write a love letter to Janice from her secret crush Willard Hughes. The plan was a success and Janice was publically humiliated. Leslie found Janice in the bathroom crying and realized that Janice was just misunderstood. She is sympathetic towards Janice and becomes her friend.

Creating Terabithia One sunny day while swinging together over a creek, Jesse and Leslie decide to create Terabithia. Leslie came up with the design of this imaginary sanctuary, a place of safety. A place for both Jesse and Leslie to escape day to day burdens. Have pretend adventures while at Terabithia bringing them each joy. They reign as king and queen of Terabithia. Adopted a puppy and named him Prince Terrien (aka P.T.) Strong friendship develops between Jesse and Leslie.

Tragedy Jesse is invited by the beautiful Miss Edmund, his music teacher, to attend an art show. While Jesse is away for the day there is an accident. While swinging across a rope to get across to Terabithia snapped, Leslie hit her head, and then drowned.

In disbelief….. Jesse goes through a state of denial. Does not grieve Leslie’s death. Acts like she didn’t exisit. Very scared that Leslie didn’t go to heaven because she didn’t believe in a god.

Dealing with his loss…… Finally accepts that Leslie is gone and nothing could have been down to prevent her death. Decides to pay tribute to his friend by making a memorial wreath. Went back to Terabithia with P.T. On the way he came across his terrified sister, May Belle, who was trying to cross the creek using a fallen tree as a bridge. He helps her across safely. Jesse decides to fill the void he feels and makes May Belle the new queen of Terabithia.

Recommendation I would strongly recommend reading Bridge to Terabithia. It is a great book about the bond formed between two kids and the adventures they had in an enchanted place they created called Terabithia. I admire their loyalty to one another and enjoyed seeing how their friendship grow over time. Although the ending was very sad I felt like Jesse was a better person having had Leslie come into his life, even if only for a short time.