Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson

Katherine Patterson (1932-Present)

Realistic Genre

Bridge to Terabithia Wiki Page

144 Pages





Main Characters
Jessie Oliver Aarons Jr.
Leslie Burke
The Aaron Sisters
Janice Avery
Miss. Edmunds
Prince Terrien (dog)
Mrs. "Monster Mouth" Meyers
Lesley's Parents

Settings
Terabithia
School
The Funeral Home
The Art Museum

Summary
When Jess meets a strange tomboy, they become friends and create a kingdom which they are the rulers of. Suddenly, Leslie dies and Jess has to deal with the sadness.

Themes*
-Friendship
-Childhood
-Imagination
-Individuality
-Terabithia
-Gender Roles
-The Creek
-The Rope

Awards
Bridge to Terabithia-Newberry Medal (1978)

Media
Bridge to Terabithia (PBS Television Film, 1985)
Bridge to Terabithia (2007)

* Here's a more specific view on some of these Themes:
Terabithia:
Terabithia is a symbol of a perfect world where children rule without the responsibilities of an adult.
The Creek:
The creek is a symbol of the imaginary world of Terabithia, and the hard, real world. When Leslie died in the creek trying to get to get to Terabithia, it showed that there is a large diffrence between the real world and an imaginary one.
The Rope:
The rope over the creek was the only way to get into Terabithia, and when the rope snapped, it symbolized the imaginary world, whiched died along with its queen when the rope broke.
Gender Roles:
Jessie's love of drawing was teased and his hobby is called a "girl's pastime". In his father's point of view is that as a male, he has to be brave and the responsible one in the family. When Leslie comes, all that changes. She is a true tomboy and plays sports and is nothing like the other girls.