Indeed Leslie has brought enchantment into his life.

but he teaches her compassion for a mean older girl at school. She lends him her Narnia books and lectures him on endangered predators. about a gloomy prince of Denmark, or a crazy sea captain bent on killing a whale. On her lead they create Terabithia, a secret magic kingdom in the woods, and there in the castle stronghold she tells him wonderful stories. Soon Jess and Leslie, whose parents have moved from the suburbs because they're 'reassessing their value structure,' become close friends.

Jess, from an uneducated family in rural Virginia, has been practicing all summer to become the fastest runner at school-a reputation more desirable than his present image as 'that crazy little kid who draws all the time.' But Jess is beaten in the first race of the fifth-grade year by a newcomer-who is also the first girl ever to invade the boys' part of the playground. Reissued in ‘A Pufifn Book’ series of Puffin modern classics, Bridge to Terabithia is a Newbery Medal winner.Paterson, who has already earned regard with her historical fiction set in Japan, proves to be just as eloquent and assured when dealing with contemporary American children-and Americans of very different backgrounds at that. It is more dreadful than anything Jess had ever dreamed of, but as he struggles to cope with his grief and anger, he finds that his family value him more than he’d thought and that, still King, he could even save Terabithia for the future. They are invincible – until tragedy strikes. Even though she runs faster than him, Jess begins to think Leslie might be okay – she’s clever and funny and not a bit soppy.Īnd it is Leslie who invents Terabithia, the secret country on an island across the creek where he can escape his troublesome family.The only way to reach Terabithia is by rope-swing where Jess and Leslie become King and Queen, defeating giants, sharing stories and dreams, and plotting against their enemies. Jess Aarons wants to be the fastest boy in the class, but when a girl named Leslie Burke moves into the neighbouring farm his life changes forever. Bridge to Terabithia is an unforgettable story of friendship and loss by award-winning author Katherine Paterson.

Bridge of terabithia book