Bridge to Terabithia

Bridge to Terabithia

Paterson, K. (1972). Bridge to Terabithia. NY: Crown

Jess Aaron has been practicing all summer long to be the fastest runner in fifth grade, and he would have been if it wasn't for the new girl, Leslie.  Despite this, they become great friends and together they create a magical kingdom that they called Terabithia.  Unfortunately, while Jess is away something terrible happens. Leslie dies and Jess has a difficult time dealing with his loss.  Eventually he allows his sister become Queen of Terabithia.

Evaluation Criteria: Gender & Culture and Setting

Gender and culture expectations play an important role in this novel.  In the beginning of the story, the boys did not want to allow Leslie run against them.  The only reason that Jess allowed it was because he really didn't think that she would win.  Leslie proved them wrong. Leslie was made fun of when she mentioned that she didn't have a TV in her room. For a lot of children not having a TV in their house goes against what is our cultural norm.  This cultural difference is defining for Leslie’s character who really isn’t like anyone the others know and makes her unique.  The small town setting is special to this story since there really isn’t a lot to do in small towns and the land of Terabithia evolves from the imaginations of these two characters because of the lack of activity in a small town.

Lesson Ideas:

http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/pdf/bridge_to_terebithia.pdf