Editing Bridge to Terabithia (novel)

{{Short description|1977 children's novel by Katherine Paterson}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox book
| name              = Bridge to Terabithia
| title_orig        =
| image             = Bridge to Terabithia.jpg
| caption           = First edition
| author            = [[Katherine Paterson]]
| illustrator       = [[Donna Diamond]]
| cor_artist        =
| country           = United States 
| language          = English
| genre             = [[Children's fiction|Children's novel]]
| publisher         = [[Thomas Y. Crowell Co.]]
| release_date      = October 21, 1977
| isbn              = 978-0-690-01359-7
| ISBN_note         = (hardback edition)
| congress          = PZ7.P273 Br
| preceded_by       =
| followed_by       =
}}

'''''Bridge to Terabithia''''' is a children's novel written by American author [[Katherine Paterson]]. The book was originally published in 1977 by [[Thomas Y. Crowell Co.|Thomas Crowell]], and would  win a [[Newbery Medal]] the year after.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberyhonors/newberymedal|title=Newbery Medal and Honor Books, 1922–Present|date=1999-11-30|website=Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)|language=en|access-date=2018-12-24}}</ref>

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. Leslie is a [[tomboy]] from a wealthy family, and Jesse thinks highly of her. Jesse is an artistic boy from a poorer family who, in the beginning, is fearful and angry. After meeting Leslie, however, his life is transformed. He becomes courageous and learns to let go of his frustration. The two children create a kingdom for themselves, which Leslie names "Terabithia".

Paterson drew inspiration for the novel from a real event that occurred in August 1974 when her son's friend was struck and killed by lightning. The novel's content has been the frequent target of censorship and appears at number eight on the [[American Library Association]] list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books for the decade 1990–2000.<ref name="banned"/>

It has been adapted for the screen twice: a [[Bridge to Terabithia (1985 film)|1985 PBS TV movie]] and a [[Bridge to Terabithia (2007 film)|2007 Disney/Walden Media feature film]].

==Background of book==
[[File:LisaHill.jpg|thumb|upright|Lisa Christina Hill (1966–1974), the girl who inspired the novel.]]
Katherine Paterson lived for a time in [[Takoma Park, Maryland]], a suburb of [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name=tak>{{cite news |last=Kohn |first=Diana |url=http://www.takoma.com/archives/copy/2005/06/features_takomaarchives0605.html |title=Lisa Hill and the Bridge to Terabithia |newspaper=Takoma-Silver Spring Voice |date=2004 |access-date=2007-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412030815/http://www.takoma.com/archives/copy/2005/06/features_takomaarchives0605.html |archive-date=April 12, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The novel was inspired by an incident during that time: on August 14, 1974, her son [[David L. Paterson|David]]'s best friend, Lisa Christina Hill, died after being struck by lightning in [[Bethany Beach, Delaware]].<ref>"Bolt Kills Girl on Beach", ''Wilmington (DE) Evening Journal'', August 15, 1974, p.1</ref> She was eight years old.<ref name=tak/><ref>[http://www.terabithia.com/questions.html "Questions"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519061139/http://www.terabithia.com/questions.html |date=2015-05-19 }}. Katherine Paterson (terabithia.com). Retrieved 2007-02-08.</ref><ref name="local">{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |title=Local Connection |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-5801847.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103054207/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-5801847.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |date=February 15, 2007 |access-date=2010-03-01 |quote=After you have read or seen ''Bridge to Terabithia'', visit Takoma Park Elementary, the school David Paterson and Lisa Hill—the inspirations for Jess and Leslie—attended in the 1970s.}} {{subscription required}}</ref>

The name of the imaginary kingdom is similar to that of the [[Narnia (world)|Narnian]] island [[Narnia (world)#Eastern Ocean|Terebinthia]], created by [[C. S. Lewis]] in 1951 or earlier for ''[[Prince Caspian]]'' and ''[[The Voyage of the Dawn Treader]]''. Paterson observed in 2005:

<blockquote>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.<ref name="questions">"Questions for Katherine Paterson". ''Bridge to Terabithia'', 2005 Harper Trophy edition.</ref></blockquote>

The novel makes a direct reference to ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' as a series of books Leslie lends to Jess, in order to help him learn to behave like a king.

The novel also indirectly alludes to the fantasy series ''[[The Chronicles of Prydain]]''.{{Citation needed|date=July 2016}}

==Plot summary==
Ten-year-old Jesse "Jess" Aarons has trained all [[summer]] to be the fastest runner in his rural school. Secretly, he wants to be an [[artist]], but his father disapproves. He has a crush on the school music teacher, Miss Edmunds, the only person who encourages him to draw.

Jess's new neighbor, Leslie Burke, is a tomboy with a wealthy family from [[Arlington, Virginia]].  At recess on the first day of school, Leslie outruns everyone. The other students mock her for being a [[teacher's pet]] and for not owning a [[television]]. When Jess defends Leslie from Janice Avery, an eighth grade [[Bullying|bully]], they become friends. They play by a dry creek behind Leslie's house.  They pretend they are the king and queen of a hidden magical kingdom, Terabithia, that can be entered only by swinging over the creek bed on an old rope.

When Jess's six-year-old sister May Belle brings [[Twinkies]] to school for lunch, Janice Avery steals them.  At Terabithia, Jess and Leslie forge a [[love letter]] to Janice from a boy she likes.  The letter asks for a date, and Janice is [[Humiliation|humiliated]] when he does not show up.  Months later, Leslie hears Janice crying in the bathroom. Jess convinces Leslie to help Janice.  Janice tells Leslie that she is [[Child abuse|abusively]] beaten by her father, and her so-called friends have just gossiped about it to the entire seventh grade. Leslie comforts Janice by telling her that everyone will forget about it in a week. That night, May Belle tells Jess that she followed him and Leslie to the creek.  He makes her swear never to follow them again nor to tell their mother.

On [[Easter]], Jess and Leslie go to [[church (building)|church]] with Jess's family. While she calls the story of [[Jesus]] "beautiful", she doubts it. This upsets May Belle, who believes [[God]] will damn Leslie to [[hell]] when she dies. That week, rain turns the dry creek bed into a rushing river.  By Wednesday evening, Jess is too scared to swing over the river, while Leslie remains unafraid. On Thursday morning, Miss Edmunds calls Jess and invites him to [[Washington, D.C.]] to visit the [[National Museum of Natural History|Smithsonian Museum]]. When he returns home, Leslie is [[Death|dead]]: The rope broke as she swung over the creek to Terabithia, hit her head and [[Drowning|drowned]].

Jess asks his father whether Leslie is in hell; his father assures him she isn't.  Using a large branch, Jess crosses the stream to Terabithia, where he makes a funeral wreath for Leslie. May Belle, who has followed him, makes it halfway across the branch before becoming too scared to continue. Jess guides her back to land.

Jess's teacher, Mrs. Myers, tells him that when her husband died, people tried to make her forget, but she didn't want to.  Using scrap lumber left behind by the Burkes, Jess builds a [[bridge]] across the dry [[creek bed]].  He puts flowers in May Belle's hair, leads her across the bridge, and begins to play Terabithia, with May Belle as the new queen and Jess as the king.

==Characters==
{{Main|List of Bridge to Terabithia characters}}
* '''Jesse Aarons''' – In the beginning of the novel, he is habitually fearful, angry and depressed due to his family struggles. He also has a crush on his music teacher, Miss Edmunds, which plays an integral role in the final events of the story. After meeting and then ultimately losing Leslie, he is transformed, in that he becomes courageous and lets go of his anger and frustration.
* '''Leslie Burke''' – An intelligent, talented, imaginative, outgoing girl, it is she who creates the imaginary kingdom of Terabithia. Her talents include gymnastics, creative writing, swimming and running. Jesse thinks highly of her, and they are loyal friends. She is a newcomer to his school, and not socially accepted by the other students. She dies when she falls into the creek Jesse and Leslie used to cross into Terabithia after the rope snaps, sustaining a head injury that keeps her unconscious until she drowns.
* '''May Belle Aarons''' – One of Jesse's younger sisters. She is described as the only one of his siblings with whom he feels comfortable. However, because she is six years to his 10, she does not fit the mold of the ideal confidante to him, leaving him still desperate for companionship. She is closest to him from the beginning, and like him, feels that she does not have a place in the family. She is the first of his sisters to learn about Terabithia, and becomes the queen after Leslie's death. She is welcomed to the kingdom due to being the only family member who shows compassion for him throughout.<ref name=queen>{{Cite book |author1=Paterson, Katherine |author2=Diamond, Donna |title=Bridge to Terabithia Movie Tie-in Edition |date=2006-12-26 |publisher=HarperEntertainment |isbn=0-06-122728-5}}</ref>
* '''Ellie and Brenda Aarons''' – Jesse's two older sisters. They are never mentioned separately within the novel and are rarely portrayed in a positive light. They continually ask for favors from their mother and boss their younger siblings around. It is only near the climax of the story, after hearing of Leslie's death, that they express some concern for their brother.
* '''Joyce Ann Aarons''' – Jesse's four-year-old youngest sister. She is mainly tended to by the mother and has no significant role in the story, but as May Belle describes her, she is "nothing but a baby".
* '''Janice Avery''' – The school bully at Lark Creek. She is very overweight and tends to become very offended when people tease her for being so. Janice has a crush on Willard Hughes, which Jesse and Leslie use to trick her. Her father beats her and she secretly [[Smoking|smokes]]. Also, her face is used on the giant [[troll]] living in Terabithia for the 2007 movie.
* '''Miss Edmunds''' – The somewhat unconventional and controversial music teacher, whom Jesse greatly admires. Edmunds invites him to go to the [[Smithsonian Museum]], which leads Leslie to go to Terabithia by herself. As a [[result]], Leslie is alone when she falls from the rope and drowns.
* '''Prince Terrien''' – A puppy that Jesse gave Leslie for Christmas. He is the guardian and [[Jester|court jester]] of Terabithia. In the novel, he is referred to as P.T.
* '''Gary Fulcher''' – He and Jesse both hope to be the fastest kid in the fifth grade; he serves as another bully in the story, but he is not quite as mean as Janice Avery.
* '''Mrs. Myers''' – Jesse and Leslie's teacher, given the nickname "Monster Mouth Myers". She favors Leslie, and tells Jesse after Leslie's death that she was the best student Myers had ever had. Her husband had also died, and she explains to Jesse a little about [[grief]] from her own experience.
* '''William and Judith (Hancock) Burke''' – Leslie's parents, novelists who come to the story's location for their work. Mother—book writer, Father—political writer. Unlike most of the locals, they do not watch or own a television. Leslie calls William and Judith "Bill and Judy", respectively.

==Reception==
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."<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/katherine-paterson/bridge-to-terabithia/ |title=BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA by Katherine Paterson , Donna Diamond |journal=[[Kirkus Reviews]] |date=September 1, 1977 |access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref> Children's author [[Jean Fritz]] wrote in ''[[The New York Times]]'', "With great skill Mrs. Paterson takes Jess to the depths of this nightmare and then brings him back, along with all he has learned in Terabithia—a survivor and certainly equal to the demands."<ref>{{cite news |last=Fritz |first=Jean |author-link=Jean Fritz |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/11/13/archives/six-by-winners-winners-bridge-to-terabithia-julia-and-the-hand-of.html |title=Six by Winners |newspaper=[[The New York Times Book Review]] |date=November 13, 1977 |at=Page 10, columns 1–5 |access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref> 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."<ref>''[[The Horn Book Magazine]]'', February 1978, cited in {{cite journal |url=https://www.hbook.com/1999/01/what-did-we-think-of/ |title=What did we think of...? |journal=[[The Horn Book]] |date=January 24, 1997 |access-date=January 25, 2020}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite book |last=Sutherland |first=Zena |author-link=Zena Sutherland |chapter=Newbery Medal Books 1976–1985 |page=157 |title=Newbery and Caldecott Medal Books 1976–1985 |editor-last=Kingman |editor-first=Lee |publisher=[[The Horn Book Magazine|The Horn Book, Incorporated]] |location=[[Boston]] |year=1986 |isbn=0-87675-004-8}}</ref>

==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>

==Adaptations==
Two films have been made based on the novel, both with the original title. One was a [[Bridge to Terabithia (1985 film)|PBS TV movie]] made in 1985, starring [[Annette O'Toole]], Julian Coutts, and Julie Beaulieu.

The second was a [[Bridge to Terabithia (2007 film)|theatrical film]] released on February 16, 2007, directed by the co-creator of [[Nickelodeon]]'s ''[[Rugrats]]'' and former [[Hanna-Barbera]] animator [[Gabor Csupo]] and starring [[Josh Hutcherson]], [[AnnaSophia Robb]], [[Robert Patrick]], [[Bailee Madison]], and [[Zooey Deschanel]]; the adaptation was done in part by [[David L. Paterson|David Paterson]] himself. While the giant troll was adapted, the Dark Master, Squogres (a race of [[squirrel]]/[[ogre]]-like creatures), Hairy [[Vulture]]s, and many unidentified creatures were created for the film.

A musical stage adaptation ("supported by a lyrical score") entitled ''The Bridge to Terabithia'' is listed for sale by Stageplays.com, credited to Paterson and [[Stephanie S. Tolan]], another children's writer.<ref>[http://www.stageplays.com/products/the_bridge_to_terabithia "The Bridge to Terabithia: Katherine Paterson & Stephanie S. Tolan"]. Distributor product display. Stageplays.com: Largest Collection of Plays and Musicals in the World. Retrieved 2014-08-16.</ref> 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'' (New York: S. French, c1992).<ref>Subject ([[LCSH]]) "Musicals—Librettos". [http://lccn.loc.gov/93129182 "Bridge to Terabithia: a play with music"]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Library of Congress Online Catalog. LCCN Permalink (lccn.loc.gov). Retrieved 2015-10-31.</ref> <!-- it's complicated; see TALK#Musical stage adaptation -->

==See also==
{{portal|Children's literature}}
*''[[Beat the Turtle Drum]]''
*''[[Waiting To Dive]]''

==References==
{{reflist|25em}}
* ''Bridge to Terabithia'', Hardcover edition ({{ISBN|0-690-01359-0}})

==External links==
*[http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/pdf/bridge_to_terebithia.pdf Study guide created by the author (PDF)]
*[http://www.historictakoma.org/voice/BridgeToTerabithiaRedux0307.pdf "Lisa Hill and the Bridge to Terabithia" by Diana Kohn (PDF)]

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{{succession box|title=[[Newbery Medal|Newbery Medal recipient]]|before=''[[Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry]]''|after=''[[The Westing Game]]''|years=[[1978 in literature|1978]]}}
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{{Bridge to Terabithia}}
{{Katherine Paterson}}
{{Newbery Medal}}
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[[Category:Bridge to Terabithia (novel)| ]]
[[Category:1977 American novels]]
[[Category:1977 fantasy novels]]
[[Category:American children's novels]]
[[Category:Novels about friendship]]
[[Category:Newbery Medal–winning works]]
[[Category:Novels set in Virginia]]
[[Category:American young adult novels]]
[[Category:American fantasy novels adapted into films]]
[[Category:Thomas Y. Crowell Co. books]]
[[Category:Novels about death]]
[[Category:1977 children's books]]
[[Category:Censored books]]
[[Category:Obscenity controversies in literature]]
[[Category:Religious controversies in literature]]
[[Category:Works about child death]]
[[Category:Children's books set in Virginia]]
[[Category:Children's books about death]]
[[Category:Novels by Katherine Paterson]]
[[Category:Novels set in elementary and primary schools]]
[[Category:Novels about child abuse]]