Search - Bridge to Terabithia

An older Newberry-award winning children's novel published in 1960, I think, about a fifth-grade boy named Jesse who wants nothing more than to be the fastest runner in his class, and his new neighbor Leslie, who (even though she's a girl) beats him handily in a race. They become fast friends in spite of it, and spend hours in the fields and forests across the creek near their houses, in a make-believe world Leslie has named Terabithia. Fifth grade leaves some hard lessons to be learned for Jesse. I loved this book--very heartwarming, gut-wrenching story of growing up and learning to deal with the curve balls life throws at you.

This was one of my favorite books as a child and when I was home visiting my mother one weekend I decided to pick it up and read it as an adult. It still had the same strong heart as it did years ago. The characters make you want to pick them up and embrace them. This book lets your imagination run wild and your mind wanders to that special place you created as a child. It's a safe place and a great book if you need a to cry, smile, and just be a kid again.

This book is not one that ordinarily I would choose for my own reading. I had to read this book for a Children's Literature class, and it turned out to be a very easy read.

It's interesting how many children there are that actually could be the protagonist for this story. As an educator, I see children that could potentially fit this profile everyday.

Noteworthy excerpts:
"It made Jess ache inside to watch his dad grab the little ones to his shoulder, or lean down and hug them". (page 23)

"For the first time in his life he got up every morning with something to look forward to."

Both painful one-liners, but they are the realities that some of us as adults and especially children, must deal with every day.