By Katherine Paterson
(1977) ISBN 0690013590
This is a book with many twists and turns. Readers are first introduced to Jess Aarons, a fifth grader who has prepared himself all summer for the start of school and its upcoming athletic contests with his fellow students only to find that he and the rest of the boys have been bested by the newest student. Most annoying of all, that superior athlete is a girl and there is not much chance that Jess will be able to avoid running literally into this competitor in as much as she, Leslie Burke, turns out to be Jess’ new next door neighbor.
The reader is next surprised when Jess and Leslie form a fast friendship. Part of the reason that these two young people become such close friends is the fact that they both possess strong and beautiful imaginations. With this in common, the two friends create an imaginary and quite separate play area in the woods near their homes. Their play area, which Jess and Leslie consider to be their kingdom, can be reached only by the use of a swinging rope. Jess and Leslie, name this secret kingdom, Terabithia and they literally seem to consider this place their heaven on earth, a refuge from bullies and other unpleasant challenges common in the world of tweens.
All does not go well for our young friends when one of them drowns trying to reach this private kingdom one day. The most difficult aspect of reading this beautifully written book is learning of this turn in the story and having to look on as the surviving friend struggles to copy with this loss. Inasmuch as this story is beautifully told and also is a very good depiction of a tween friendship, this book is highly recommended even with the challenge presented by the loss of a beloved character.
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