Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, the 1978 Newbery Medal winner, is the touching story of two inseparable friends. Jess, age ten, just wants to be the fastest runner in his school, to be known as somebody besides that kid who just draws. He wakes up early every day all summer long to practice running to ensure his victory on the school field at recess. But, there’s a new girl in town, Leslie, who’s unlike anybody that the school is used to. She boldly joins the boys’ race and outruns everyone.
Although Jess could resent Leslie for beating him, it’s the beginning of a friendship that both desperatly need. Their enjoyment and childlike love for each other is touching. Jess and Leslie take to the woods and pretend to set up a magical kingdom, like that of Narnia where they can be a king and queen and rule over all. Their happiness doesn’t last though as a tragedy unfolds, and Jess must learn to cope with his emotions.
There was a quote at the end of Bridge to Terabithia that I really thought encompassed the whole book. **Warning: Spoilers in the quote.**
He thought about it all day, how before Leslie came, he had been a nothing – a stupid, weird little kid who drew funny pictures and chased around a cow field trying to act big- trying to hide a whole mob of foolish little fears running riot inside his gut. It was Leslie who had taken him from the cow pasture into Terabithia and turned him into a king. He had thought that was it. Wasn’t king the best you could be? Now it occurred to him that perhaps Terabithia was like a castle where you came to be knighted. After you stayed for a while and grew strong you had to move on. For hadn’t Leslie, even in Terabithia, tried to push back the walls of his mind and make him see beyond to the shining world – huge and terrible and beautiful and very fragile? . . .
Now it was time for him to move out. She wasn’t there, so he must go for both of them. It was up to him to pay back to the world in beauty and caring what Leslie had loaned him in vision and strength.
As for the terrors ahead – for he did not fool himself that they were all behind him – well, you could just have to stand up to your fear and not let it squeeze you white. Right, Leslie?
Right.
I was surprised with how quiet of a book this was. Having previously watched the movie, I was expecting fantastical creatures, huge fight/play scenes, etc. but the book and movie were quiet different in that respect. But if the movie didn’t include the fantastical, I think kids would have been bored to tears. So in that regard I think the adaption was well done. Besides, Leslie does mention that she wants the kingdom to be just like Narnia. In the movie that’s exactly how it’s portrayed.
While reading Bridge to Terabithia, I wasn’t as emotionally involved that I know some people are when reading this book because I totally knew how it ended (having watched the movie). But I’m sure many will find this a tearjerker. Overall, a book that I would recommend.
Katherine Paterson’s website.
I read Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson during Banned Books Week. This book has been censored on the premise of language, it gives kids a negative view of life, promotes witchcraft, shows disrespect to adults, and because ***SPOILER*** death is an inappropriate subject matter for children. So what we should lock kids up and tell them that they will never have to deal with death ever in their whole life? What’s wrong with teaching our children that death happens, not only does it happen, but it’s inevitable?
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Category: Book Reviews, Fiction, Middle Readers
Tags: A-D Title, banned, banned books week, book to movie, M-P Author, Newbery
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I read Bridge to Terabithia in fifth grade. It was on a list of books – we had to pick one and write a group report on it. I completely understand what you mean about it being a “quiet” yet powerful book, even then I can remember feeling that way. It’s one of the few books that I’ve read only once but that has stuck with me since then.
I haven’t seen the movie. I saw the promos for it, but it didn’t seem to resemble the book I remembered so I had no inclination to go and see it.
on October 1st, 2008 at 11:45 pmI really want to read this one! I’ll make sure to read it before I see the movie.
on October 2nd, 2008 at 5:16 amWe read the book when the movie came out but I’m a meanie and wouldn’t let them watch it until we read the book
My twins prefer the book over the movie. I can see how book would be much more profound if you have not seen the movie first.
I have read two other books by this author and really enjoyed both. I love her style of writing. The one I’ve read – The Great Gilly Hopkins – is due out as a film next year. You can tell she’s very inspired by Tolkien & CS Lewis.In Gilly Hopkins, the characters full first name is Galadriel
on October 2nd, 2008 at 6:17 amI loved this book (I haven’t seen the movie). When I reviewed it earlier this year, I posted almost the exact same passage. It’s just a beautiful book. And I would definitely agree with your assessment of it as “quiet.”
on October 2nd, 2008 at 9:20 amI have yet to read the book but I expect it to be terrific as all reviews point one in that direction. The movie was very good; however, I rented it to watch with my daughter who completely lost interest.
on October 2nd, 2008 at 5:26 pmI loved this book so much! Oh gosh the movie was a tear-jerker. When I saw it, I had recently experienced the loss of a friend and it just touched me so deeply.
on October 2nd, 2008 at 8:36 pmAnother one I read for school! I like many of Katherine Paterson’s other books better. She’s a master of the children’s tearjerker, and this one always got me the worst.
(Read Lyddie. I loved that one.)
on October 2nd, 2008 at 10:34 pmI hadn’t seen the movie but I did watch several previews before reading the book and I was really surprised that there wasn’t any flash either. I was really expecting a fantasy type book.
on October 3rd, 2008 at 5:31 amI think the book veered quite a bit from the tone and (some) content of the book, but it was good nevertheless. I don’t remember it having bad language. And promoting witchcraft? What’s that about. Admittedly it’s been a few years since I read it, but I don’t find the book at all objectionable, as I’m planning to share it with my own daughter. And this wouldn’t be the first book where my daughter has encountered the idea of death! Much less what she sees in the yard where my cats exercise their hunting skills and bring the results home, and my three-year-old catches bugs- and sometimes they die. She’s well aware of death already.
on October 3rd, 2008 at 10:25 amI cannot believe this book is considered a “banned book”. My fifth grade teacher read us this book. I remember that I couldn’t wait to get to school to hear how it ended. Thats a big deal for me because I never did like school.
on October 3rd, 2008 at 9:49 pmM – I think they had to make the movie exciting or else kids wouldn’t enjoy it. I guess they don’t like “quiet movies.”
Ladytink_534: Definitely read it before the movie.
Jupiter – I’m putting The Great Gilly Hopkins on my list. I’d love to read it before the movie comes out. Thanks for the great reminder.
Janssen – I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Childrens Movie Watcher – It’s been a long time since I saw the movie. I should rewatch it so I can make another reassessment.
Kim L. – Although I didn’t cry in the book, I understand that it can be a tearjerker as well.
Liviania – Thanks for the recommendation. This was my first book by her so I’ve got a bit of catching up to do.
Trish – Yep,no fantasy. While they did pretend it was a Narnia world there were no descriptions to paint that picture.
Jeane – The language was really subtle and didn’t bother me at all. I have no clue where the witchcraft comes in. And seriously, death is life. Deal with it, I say!
Laura H. – Yep, sometimes you have to wonder about the people who get these books put on this list.
on October 3rd, 2008 at 10:28 pmOops. Typo. I meant to say, the movie veered away from the book.
on October 5th, 2008 at 7:08 pmhmm. i think my sister read this book and i also wanted to see the movie too. i’ll have to check it out. thanks. =]
on October 10th, 2008 at 5:04 pm[...] of the Wolves)40. Maw Books (The Best Place to Be)41. Maw Books (Rapunzel’s Revenge)42. Maw Books (Bridge to Terebithia)43. Maw Books (The 13th Reality)44. Alessandra (Born Confused)45. Maw Books (Genocide in [...]
on October 10th, 2008 at 9:59 pmomg this book is soooooooooo goood me and my daughter LOATHED i mean LOVED!!!!!!! it hahahahahahah. So I really am proud of this book and the movie that went so very well with it it made me so happy. This movie was exactly what i had in mind(: (: ( : (: ): (:
on February 22nd, 2009 at 11:10 am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
on February 22nd, 2009 at 11:16 am