Bridge to Terabithia (novel)


Bridge to Terabithia is a work of children's literature about two lonely children who create a magical forest kingdom in their imaginations. It was written by Katherine Paterson and was published in 1977 by Thomas Crowell. In 1978, it won the Newbery Medal. Paterson drew inspiration for the novel from a real event that occurred in August 1974 when her son's friend was struck dead by lightning.
The novel tells the story of fifth grader Jesse Aarons, who becomes friends with his new neighbor, Leslie Burke, after he loses a footrace to her at school. She is a smart, talented, outgoing tomboy from a wealthy family, and he thinks highly of her. He is an artistic boy from a poorer family who, in the beginning, is fearful, angry, and depressed. After his meeting Leslie, his life is transformed. He becomes courageous and learns to let go of his frustration. They create a kingdom for themselves, which Leslie names "Terabithia."
The novel's content has been the frequent target of censors and appears at number eight on the American Library Association list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books for the decade 1990–2000. It is studied in Literature studies classes around the world.
It has been adapted for the screen twice: a 1985 PBS TV movie and a 2007 Disney/Walden Media feature film.

Background of book

Katherine Paterson lived for a time in Takoma Park, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C.. The novel was inspired by a tragedy of that time: on August 14, 1974, her son David's best friend, Lisa Christina Hill, died after being struck by lightning in Bethany Beach, Delaware. She was eight years old. There is a tree dedicated to her in a memorial outside Takoma Park Elementary School, which she and David attended. Sligo Creek, which runs through Takoma Park, may have provided inspiration, too. The book was originally dedicated to David but at David's request the book is dedicated to both David Paterson and Lisa Hill.
The name of the imaginary kingdom is similar to that of the Narnian island Terebinthia, created by C. S. Lewis in 1951 or earlier for Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Paterson observed in 2005:
I thought I had made it up. Then, rereading The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis, I realized that I had probably gotten it from the island of Terebinthia in that book. However, Lewis probably got that name from the Terebinth tree in the Bible, so both of us pinched from somewhere else, probably unconsciously.

The novel makes a direct reference to The Chronicles of Narnia as a series of books that Leslie lends to Jess so he can learn to behave like a king.
The novel also indirectly alludes to the fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain.

Plot summary

Artistic young Jess Aarons deals with the hardships of his home life, such as his duties on his family's farm and the annoyances of his four sisters. Leslie Burke is an intelligent, wealthy girl who has just moved down the road from him. After training all summer to become his class's fastest runner, he is infuriated when she outruns him in a recess footrace.
Jess eagerly anticipates the arrival of music class due to his infatuation for its beautiful and kind young teacher, Miss Edmunds. However, on the day it begins, he discovers a fondness for Leslie, and they develop a friendship. One day, Jess and Leslie use a rope to swing over a creek near their homes, and they design an imaginary sanctuary. They reign as monarchs, calling their domain Terabithia.
At school, Jess and Leslie are challenged by an older bully named Janice Avery. After she steals a package of Twinkies from Jess' younger sister May Belle's lunch, they forge a romantic letter under the disguise of Willard Hughes, a boy Janice likes, setting her up for a misunderstanding. The plan is successful, exposing her to public mortification. Later, Leslie encounters her sobbing in the girls' bathroom. It develops that her father beats her, and this explains her difficulty relating to other people. Jess and Leslie develop sympathy and the beginnings of a friendship with Janice.
One day, Jess complains about having to go to church for Easter with his family, and Leslie asks if she can come. After the mass, Leslie inquires what happens if you don't believe in God. May Belle claims that He will damn you to hell.
Invited on a trip to an art museum with Miss Edmunds, Jess accepts the offer without notifying Leslie or his parents. Returning home, he is horrified to learn that while he was away, Leslie attempted to visit Terabithia on her own and drowned in the creek when the rope broke and she hit her head on a rock. It is implied that Jess is terrified that Leslie may be sentenced to eternal damnation due to her doubts regarding religion. After Jess accepts the inevitability of Leslie's death, he is saddened by the grief exhibited by her mourning parents, who have decided to return to their previous home in Pennsylvania.
Jess pays tribute to Leslie by crafting a funeral wreath, bending a pine bough into a circle. Leaving it in their special pine grove in Terabithia, he discovers a terrified May Belle halfway across the creek and assists her back. He chooses to fill the void left by Leslie's death by making May Belle the new Queen of Terabithia. Then he tells her to keep her "mind wide open" as the inhabitants of Terabithia welcome their new ruler.

Characters

At the time of the book's publication, Kirkus Reviews said, "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." According to The Horn Book Magazine, "Jess and his family are magnificently characterized; the book abounds in descriptive vignettes, humorous sidelights on the clash of cultures, and realistic depictions of rural school life. The symbolism of falling and of building bridges forms a theme throughout the story, which is one of remarkable richness and depth, beautifully written." In a retrospective essay about the Newbery Medal-winning books from 1976 to 1985, literary critic Zena Sutherland wrote of Bridge to Terabithia, "The poignant story is all the more effective because Paterson lets Jesse express his grief and guilt rather than telling readers that he feels them. There is no glossing-over; nor is there a reaching for dramatic effect."

Literary significance

The novel's content has been the frequent target of censors. It ranks number 8 on the American Library Association list of most commonly challenged books in the United States for 1990–1999. On the ALA list for 2000–2009 it ranks #28. The challenges stem from death being a part of the plot; Jesse's frequent use of the word "lord" outside of prayer; allegations that it promotes secular humanism, New Age religion, occultism, and Satanism; and for use of offensive language.
The novel is often featured in English studies classes in Ireland, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the Philippines, Ecuador, the United Kingdom, Costa Rica, Panama, South Africa and the United States.
In 2012, the novel was ranked number ten among all-time best children's novels in a survey published by School Library Journal, a monthly with primarily U.S. audience. Two other books by Paterson made the top 100.

Adaptations

Two films have been made based on the novel, both with the original title. One was a PBS TV movie made in 1985, starring Annette O'Toole, Julian Coutts, and Julie Beaulieu.
The second was a theatrical film released on February 16, 2007, directed by the co-creator of Nickelodeon's Rugrats Gabor Csupo and starring Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, Robert Patrick, Bailee Madison, and Zooey Deschanel; the adaptation was done in part by David Paterson himself. While the giant troll was adapted, the Dark Master, Squogers, Hairy Vultures, and many unidentified creatures were created for the film.
A musical stage adaptation entitled The Bridge to Terabithia is listed for sale by Stageplays.com, credited to Paterson and Stephanie S. Tolan, another children's writer. It was catalogued by the Library of Congress in 1993, with primary credit to Steve Liebman for the music, as Bridge to Terabithia: a play with music.