Jess Aarons wants to be the fastest boy in the class. He's been practising all summer and he's sure he's going to win. But when a girl named Leslie Burke moves into the neighbouring farm his life changes forever. Not only does Leslie not look or act like any of the girls in school, she also turns out to be the fastest runner in the year. After getting over the humiliation of being beaten by a girl, Jess begins to think Leslie might be okay - she's clever and funny and not a bit soppy. It is Leslie who invents Terabithia, ...
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Jess Aarons wants to be the fastest boy in the class. He's been practising all summer and he's sure he's going to win. But when a girl named Leslie Burke moves into the neighbouring farm his life changes forever. Not only does Leslie not look or act like any of the girls in school, she also turns out to be the fastest runner in the year. After getting over the humiliation of being beaten by a girl, Jess begins to think Leslie might be okay - she's clever and funny and not a bit soppy. It is Leslie who invents Terabithia, the secret country on an island across the creek. Here Jess could forget his large, quarrelsome family, his father who thought it was ummanly to love drawing, and his little sister May Belle, who was always tagging after him. Here he could be strong and unafraid. The only way to reach Terabithia is by rope-swing where Jess and Leslie become King and Queen, defeating giants, sharing stories and dreams, and plotting against their enemies. They are invincible - until tragedy strikes. It is more dreadful than anything Jess had ever dreamed of, but as he struggles to cope with his grief and anger, he finds that his family value him more than he'd thought and that, still King, he could even save Terabithia for the future.
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I still remember having to read this book for school. Its started out nice with a sensistive artistic boy and adventurous young girl becoming friends. The death of a main character is not really good in a children's book. There is no indication when starting to read that it will be about death. Some children's books deal with the subject manner in a great fashion. This one is just not for kids.
No one I spoke to had nice memories of the book. It is dull for most of the story and BAM... they kill off a poor girl in a gruesome fashion. This book is not for sensitive children or for most readers in general.
Kismet
Sep 17, 2007
Undoubtably a classic
This is one of my all time favorite books. I have several copies because whenever I see it I have to buy it! It is suited to over 10 year olds. It does have some very sad scenes not suitable for younger children. It is a heart warming story of friendship. You will treasure it and save it for your children to share like I am.
beamomma2
Apr 28, 2007
fot kids
i found the book more suited to older children around the ages 10-13. did not keep my interest did not even finish the book.
Rexton
Apr 3, 2007
A moving tale of friendship and imagination
This is a tale of a 10 year old boy, and the girl who beat him in front of his friends in the school race. He'd been training all summer, and had high hopes of winning. Then this new girl comes into the school, with city ways. She gets invited into a race, and blows him away.
They eventually become friends and invent a fantasy world called Terabithia. Each learns to accept the other, and they share their hopes and secrets. Other books try this but become preachy. This author has a real feeling for how children feel, and this story feels real.
I would rate it up there with a Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle.
