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Title |
Author |
Grade
level |
"
Bridge to Terabithia" |
Katherine Patterson |
4th to 5th Grade |
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Summary of the story : |
In
1976, Katherine Paterson's son David was 8 years old when
his friend, Lisa Hill, was struck by lightning and killed. A
year later Bridge to Terabithia was published, winning a
Newberry Medal and becoming, if such a thing is possible, an
instant classic. Ms Paterson drew upon this personal tragedy
to create the story of a boy, Jess Aarons, and a girl,
Leslie Burke, in rural Virginia, who become the best of
friends. Jess is the middle child, and only son, of a
reticent father, who struggles to earn a living. Leslie is
the daughter, and only child, of two successful writers who
have moved to the country, next door to the Aarons, for
lifestyle reasons. The friendship between the two kids is
hesitant at first, particularly after Leslie usurps Jess's
title as the fastest runner in their 5th grade class at Lark
Creek Elementary. But both have some trouble fitting in with
theirs peers, Jess because of his interest in Art, Leslie
because of her scholastic ability and her parents' very 70s
social attitudes (like not having a TV), and this shared
awkwardness gives them a unique bond. Leslie creates an
imaginary kingdom called Terabithia for them to rule over,
accessible only be a rope swing over a local creek. The
imaginary adventures they share there and a series of
incidents at school bring the two closer and closer
together. But then an ugly reality intrudes upon their
idyllic world and the various characters are forced to deal
with a tragic death.
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Design Challenges: |
- Build a bridge across the stream
instead of using a rope. What causes flash floods?
- Design a set of chairs for a king
and queen to sit on.
- Design a portable box for Jesses
art supplies.
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Comments: |
This short story shows how profoundly one person can change
another's life, and also indirectly portrays many types of
love.
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