This book is so old it’s practically a classic now. First published in 1977 you would think this book would be completely outdated by now. But it isn’t. Ok, certain aspects of it has dated, such as no one has mobile phones and even some people don’t have tv sets. But the heart of this story is just as relevant now as it ever was. And it is so beautiful!
Bridge to Terabithia is my favourite book. It will always have a special place in my heart because it was the first story (book, tv show, or movie) that moved me. In fact, I bawled my eyes out.
I first read it when I was 11 years old and it was assigned to me by my grade 6 teacher, Mr Skidmore (yes, that really was his name – you can imagine the jokes the kids made behind his back). Mr Skidmore knew that I hated reading, so I wasn’t very happy about being made to read this book. However, what Mr Skidmore also knew was that I didn’t really hate reading at all, I was just embarrassed because I was the slowest reader in my class. I think he knew that this book would hook me in and he was right. I became the biggest bookworm after reading Bridge to Terabithia.
I have re-read it several times, and every time I still cry uncontrollably.
However, it’s not a depressing book. It’s actually full of hope. It centres on Jess, a boy from a family struggling with poverty, who feels like the weight of the world is on his shoulders. He’s a bit awkward and doesn’t have a lot of friends. Then he meets Leslie, the girl who moves in next door.
Leslie seems worldly and full of ideas. It is Leslie who invents Terabithia. A land where strange creatures live and protect the stronghold of the King and Queen who rule the land. Terabithia can only be reached by swinging on a rope over the creek and into the woods.
With the encouragement of Queen Leslie, Jess rules by her side and becomes to realise there is more magic in the world than he realised, and it’s not just within Terabithia.
Read this book if you want to be moved and uplifted!
