Bridge To Terabithia By Katherine Paterson

This book is a classic for a reason. It is incredibly human. Jess and Leslie playing outside and creating a world reminded me of my sister and I who did the same thing (we just entered “Narnia” however rather than making our own name). To Jess and Leslie, the entrance into the world was swinging on a rope, to my sister and I the entrance was swinging from a tree swing and jumping off as high as we could down a hill. Although we didn’t experience tragedy like in the book, sadness, pain, and death are also deep parts of being human. I especially liked the chapter “Easter” and reading Leslie’s thoughts on going to church for the first time, how it was “better than a movie” and how she thought the story of the Gospel was so beautiful even though she wasn’t sure about her belief in it. Yet, Jess and his sisters professed to believe but found the story to be horrible, sad, and gruesome. It reminded me of the famous conversation between Tolkien, Lewis, and Dyson about the Gospel being a myth like other myths working on us with the critical difference that it really happened. We can’t lose sight of the fact that the Gospels are presented as a story, a beautiful story, first and foremost, not a series of doctrinal statements. As important as doctrine is, it comes later, and should always be secondary to telling the story. As the old hymn goes, “I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory, how he gave his life on Calvary to save a wretch like me.” Jesus is the True Balder who entered into History (“he suffered under Pontius Pilate), whom all creation did weep for (Romans 8:22), and who did rise again.

Made me cry 🙁
But it is a beautiful book, a classic
I’m very happy to have read this book.

Jess has spent all summer working to be “the very best” runner in the 5th grade, but when a mysterious girl named Leslie kills that dream, she opens up a whole new world for him (2). Leslie leads Jess into Terabithia, where they reign as king and queen and Leslie works to, “push back the walls of his mind” (160). Paterson is doing the same thing to her readers as Leslie does to Jess; she is expanding the walls of our minds. Leslie makes allusions to many literary works which in turn teaches new vocabulary. For instance, she uses the word “regicide” and then gives context by mentioning Hamlet (67). Not only does this section teach readers a new word, but it also introduces them to Shakespeare. The Newbery Medal is given based on the text of the book, and when reading The Bridge To Terabithia, one can see why it won the honor. The story not only teaches through literary allusions, but also uses colloquial speech to show the poverty stricken region that Jess lives in. While Jess’ uses of “Lord” is controversial and one of the reasons the book is placed on banned lists, it gives the feel of life in the Appalachians. The book would not be as powerful if it were not true to life, and the language creates this truthfulness. Paterson is working to give her readers a larger world view (again, pushing back the walls of our minds). Through Jess teaching Leslie and Bill how to fix their house, they learn about rural living. Both children teach each other about their respective ways of life, and subsequently the reader learns as well. It shows how friendships between people from different backgrounds can push each other beyond themselves. Leslie taught Jess about the academic world, and Jess taught Leslie to be kind to others who don’t deserve it (such is the case with Janice Avery). Paterson shows how special people can make you become better. Many children (and adults) in today’s society gravitate towards those who are like themselves. The popular kids hang out with each other, the band nerds stick together, the honor students spend time together, etc. Paterson is showing children how diversity can be a highly rewarding factor in a friendship. Controversies aside, this book is an excellent tool for teaching children an array of lessons and is a joy to read.

I read Bridge to Terabithia as part of a banned books project I am involved in with the Booktube community. I was shocked to see it on the list of frequently banned and challenged books – all I knew about it was that it was recently made into a popular movie. Reportedly, this book has been on the banned/ challenged list since it’s publication in 1977! The reasons are that the creation of a fantasy world by the 2 main characters – both of whom are 10 years old – may cause confusion for children and that the word, “lord” is used inappropriately. Yes, there is a fantasy world where the two children meet and play, but I thought we WANTED children to use their imaginations? I certainly did as a child in the 60’s and I think I’m much better off for it. There are many uses for the word “lord” and, again, I saw nothing inappropriate. Anyway, the story is wonderful and the fact that some children may be denied access to it is baffling to me. The themes in the book include friendship, individuality, bullying and grief – good topics for children to discuss in today’s world.

A mi hija le encantó el libro

Ma meilleure amie m’a fait découvrir l’histoire quand on était petite, elle m’a marquée et fait désormais partie de mes préférées.