Author: Katherine Paterson
Title: Bridge to Terabithia
Illustrator: Donna Diamond
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 1977
Format: Paperback
Genre: Newbery
Reading Level: Independent
Interest-Level: Elementary, Middle School
Topics: Friendship, Death, Imagination, School, Family
Summary: Jess Aarons wants to be the fastest boy in his class and he is, well that is until Leslie comes along. She beats out all the boys including Jess. At first he doesn’t know what to think about her but they begin to form a friendship that he will remember for the rest of his life. Together they create Terabithia a magical place where they can go to hide from the world, until a tragedy befalls upon them and Jess will have to decide if he wants to never return to Terabithia or share it’s magic.
Extension Activities:
-For middle school, after students read the book, have them create a list of the themes. Promote discussion in the class and see what students have come up with. Talk about the importance of friendship and also death.
-For younger children, if you read this to your class, have them come up with their own “Terabithia”. Provide them with paper, crayons, markers, and pencils. Have them draw what their world would look like. On the back have them list:
-What their world is called?
-Are there rulers? (Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses, etc)
-Who can go there?
-Where is it?
