Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (1972) - Fiction

After reading this novel you'll want to relive the best moments of your childhood and try to recall what strength you had to get through the worst ones

If I were to attempt to write a book like BTT it would likely end up sounding something like a Hallmark movie: the sentiment would be pungent and the style would desperately miss the mark. Katherine Paterson managed to craft a children's novel with authentic sentiment, vivid imagery, seamless style, and an overall inspirational moral without being moralizing.

The story takes places in an undisclosed rural area somewhere outside of Washington D.C. Jesse Aarons is a 5th grade boy who strives to be the fastest runner at school and wants to be one the popular kids. Leslie Burke and her intellectual hippy parents move next door in hopes of living a simplified life focused "getting back to the basics;" kind of like a homesteading-living off the fatta' th' land kind of lifestyle.

While he would not admit it anyone, Jesse is a rather timid boy. Beyond meeting his basic physical needs, Jesse's family is quite neglectful of his deeper desire to draw and paint and express himself creatively. With her edgy short hair, socially carefree personality, and imaginative genius, Leslie is exactly what Jesse needs to help him step into his true self.

Jesse and Leslie create a "place just for us." This is their homemade wooden fort in the forest behind Jesse's home. This is where Leslie opens Jesse's imagination to the world of Terabithia. It's a magical land filled with fantastical ghouls, witches, dragons, etc. Leslie knows Jesse's passion for art and asks him to draw picture of Terabithia to hang in their "castle." Their following conversation captures the essence of their friendship:

"'I can't' How could he explain it in a way that Leslie would understand, how he yearned to reach out and capture the quivering life about him and how when he tried, it slipped past his fingertips, leaving a dry fossil upon the page? 'I just can't get the poetry of the trees,' he said. She nodded. 'Don't worry,' she said. 'You will someday.' He believed her because there in the shadowy light of the stronghold everything seemed possible. Between the two of them they owned the world..." (p. 40).

Later on Jessie tries to go to Terabithia on his own, however, "it was no good...He was afraid he would destroy everything by trying to force the magic on his own, when it was plain that the magic was reluctant to come for him." (p. 65). It's not for a lack of effort, but he's wrong in his self-assessment. It's not until close to the end of the novel that Jesse reflects upon his time with her and fully comprehends the greatest lesson from Teribithia: That it's more than just a place to become a king. It's a place where you grow strong and are meant to take that kingly strength wherever you go in the world. Jessie and Leslie swore an oath of secrecy about Teribithia, but he realizes that it's meant to be shared now with someone else; specifically his little sister who adores her older brother.

It should not be assumed that Leslie is a perfect angelic being. We see her flaws, but this only shows Paterson's ability to craft a believable character. It's these believable characters and well-crafted storytelling that captured my heart and mind.

It may be a story written for children 9-13 years old, but many adults will bask in it's purity and remind them that there's something lacking in the modern hustle and bustle of our grown up world.

Highest Score - 5 Trophies

Writing: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

Readability: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

Plot: 🏆🏆🏆🏆

Characters: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

Overall: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆