When ten-year-old Jess meets Leslie, the girl who has moved in next
door, he isn't exactly thrilled. After all, he's been practicing all
summer to be the fastest runner in the fifth grade, and she shows up and
immediately beats him in a race. But she seems to understand him, and
they soon form a tight bond of friendship that draws them together in
their own little world. Entranced by Narnia and other such realms of
fantasy, they decide to create their own kingdom: Terabithia.
In this sacred land just across the creek, Jess and Leslie are King and
Queen, aided by Leslie's faithful pooch who was a Christmas gift from
Jess. With this most wonderful secret between them, they are able to
handle the trials of everyday life more easily. Leslie encourages Jess
to pursue his artistic talents, which have been stifled by his practical
parents.
But it is these abilities which lead Jess to embark
on an adventure without his constant companion, not realizing that this
is the first step in the most difficult journey of his life. And when he
returns, Terabithia, which had been so close at hand before, now seems
unreachable. It takes all the strength he can muster to bridge the rift
that the tumultuous waters of fate have placed between himself and
Leslie, but their friendship conquers death itself in the end to bring
Jess the peace he so desperately needs.
Readers of any age
will be moved by this beautifully written tale by Katherine Patterson. Bridge to Terabithia portrays the triumphs and trials of the two children with sensitivity
and eloquence, and its touching treatment of death is sure to bring
comfort to anyone, especially a child who is grieving his first loss.
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