Scholastic Bookfiles: Bridge To Terabithia By Katherine Paterson
Scholastic bookfiles Series
on Goodreads (4)
What’s inside...
Discusses the writing, characters, plot, and themes of the Newbery award-winning book, Bridge to Terabithia. This reading companion includes background on the author, an interview, discussion questions, clues to story themes, a glossary, writing activities and more. It is designed for students, parents, and teachers who want to deepen their understanding of the novel.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Jess Aarons
May Belle Aarons
Leslie Burke
Janice Avery
Discussion points
Why do you think Jess and Leslie created Terabithia? What does it represent for them?
How do Jess and Leslie's friendship change the way they view themselves and their world?
What did you learn about facing fears from the story?
How did you feel when you read about the challenges Jess faced, and how he handled them?
What does this story teach us about friendship and loss?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their emotions about the book, validating their feelings and sharing your own.
Use examples from the book to discuss the importance of imagination and creativity in everyday life.
Discuss the dynamics of Jess and Leslie’s friendship and encourage your child to relate these to their own friendships.
Explore the theme of courage and overcoming challenges by asking how your child might handle similar situations.
Highlight the transformation of characters throughout the book to teach resilience and growth.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: In the book, the characters Jessie and Leslie form a deep and transformative friendship that helps them navigate the challenges of their lives.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of building strong, supportive friendships that can provide emotional support and help overcome personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Coping with loss
Explanation: The story deals with the theme of loss when one of the main characters, Leslie, tragically dies. This event guides Jessie through the grieving process, showing various stages of grief.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand and accept loss as a part of life, teaching them healthy ways to process and express their emotions.
Example Lesson: Using imagination as a strength
Explanation: Jessie and Leslie create a magical kingdom called Terabithia which serves as a sanctuary for them. Their imaginative play helps them cope with real-world problems and builds their creativity and problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their imagination not just for play but as a tool for solving problems and expressing themselves in unique ways.
Example Lesson: The power of kindness
Explanation: Jessie learns to be kinder to others through his friendship with Leslie, who shows him the value of open-mindedness and generosity.
Real-World Application: This lesson promotes empathy and kindness towards others, stressing the impact that one's actions can have on the feelings and lives of others around them.
Example Lesson: Overcoming fears
Explanation: Throughout the book, Jessie confronts various fears, both physical and emotional. His experiences in Terabithia and his friendship with Leslie give him the courage to face these fears.
Real-World Application: Teaches children that facing and overcoming fears is a part of growing up, and they can conquer them with determination and the support of friends.