Editing Bridge to Terabithia (novel) (section)

==Literary significance==
The novel's content has been the frequent target of [[Book censorship in the United States|censors]]. It ranks number 8 on the [[American Library Association]] [[list of most commonly challenged books in the United States]] for 1990–1999.<ref name="banned">
{{cite web |url=http://www.ala.org/bbooks/100-most-frequently-challenged-books-1990%E2%80%931999 |title=100 most frequently challenged books: 1990–1999 |access-date=2015-01-14
| publisher=Office for Intellectual Freedom, American Library Association (ALA.org) |year=2001 }}</ref> On the ALA list for 2000–2009 it ranks No. 28.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009|date=26 March 2013 |url=http://www.ala.org/bbooks/top-100-bannedchallenged-books-2000-2009|publisher=American Library Association |access-date=2015-01-14 }}</ref> The [[challenge (literature)|challenge]]s stem from death being a part of the plot;<ref>The National Council of English Teachers curriculum report including section "Why Bridge To Terabithia Should Not Be Banned" which discusses the death issue. [http://www.ncte.org/about/issues/censorship/resources/113744.htm Archived] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127044146/http://www.ncte.org/about/issues/censorship/resources/113744.htm |date=January 27, 2007 }} 2007-01-27. Retrieved 2007-02-08.</ref><ref>[http://www.scholastic.com/kids/homework/pdfs/Bridge_to_pt4.pdf "Opinion: What Have Other People Thought About Bridge to Terabithia?"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229053347/http://www.scholastic.com/kids/homework/pdfs/Bridge_to_pt4.pdf |date=December 29, 2009 }}. Scholastic Kids (scholastic.com/kids). Retrieved 2007-02-08.</ref> Jesse's frequent use of the word "lord" outside of prayer;<ref name=connecticut>[http://news.bookweb.org/freeexpression/677.html "Connecticut Residents Seek to Ban Two Newbery Medal Winners from School"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221053304/http://news.bookweb.org/freeexpression/677.html |date=February 21, 2007 }}. American Booksellers Association. Retrieved 2007-02-08.</ref>  allegations that it promotes [[secular humanism]], [[New Age]] religion, [[occultism]], and [[Satanism]];<ref name=ala2003>[http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/21stcenturychallenged/2003/index.cfm Annotated list from "Ten Most Challenged Books of 2003"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901174132/http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/21stcenturychallenged/2003/index.cfm |date=September 1, 2009 }} Retrieved 2009-09-07</ref> and for use of offensive language.<ref name=ala2002>[http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/21stcenturychallenged/2002/index.cfm Annotated list from "Ten Most Challenged Books of 2002"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026201543/http://ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/21stcenturychallenged/2002/index.cfm |date=2010-10-26 }}. ALA. Retrieved 2009-09-07.</ref>

The novel is often featured in [[English studies]] classes in Ireland, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Canada,<ref>[http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/perf_stands/readg5.pdf Grade 5 Reading List]. British Columbia Ministry of Education. Retrieved 2007-02-08.</ref> the [[Philippines]], [[Ecuador]], the United Kingdom,<ref>[http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/secondary/keystage3/downloads/ws_lal_re066804.pdf "Year 9 curriculum"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926231227/http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/secondary/keystage3/downloads/ws_lal_re066804.pdf |date=September 26, 2007 }}. National Strategy Literacy and Learning in Religious Education. Retrieved 2007-02-08.</ref> 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.<ref name=SLJChapter2012>{{cite web |url= http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2012/07/07/top-100-chapter-book-poll-results |title= Top 100 Chapter Book Poll Results |author= Bird, Elizabeth |publisher= A Fuse #8 Production. Blog. [[School Library Journal]] (blog.schoollibraryjournal.com) |date= July 7, 2012 |access-date= 2015-10-30 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120713031015/http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2012/07/07/top-100-chapter-book-poll-results |archive-date= 2012-07-13 |url-status= dead }}</ref>