I choose this book for several reasons. First, I recall reading this book in 5th grade. It was this book that I would reread several times again as I mourned the loss of a cousin who was hit by a car walking home and later a friend who was killed by a drunk driver. After reading Chapter 7 on Contemporary Realistic Fiction, I realized that I used this book to help me less alone as I connected with Jess as he mourned the loss of his best friend, Leslie.
This is a book about rural poverty, friendship, death, courage and grief.
For those who haven't read this story, it is a story about a young boy living in rural Virginia with his parents and his four sisters. As he enters fifth grade, his dream is to become the boy who wins the race at recess to gain status. Only this dream is ruined when he sticks up for the new kid, a tomboy named Leslie who recently moved in to the farm next to Jess' family. Both lonely, the two become friends and create an imaginary kingdom which they name Terabithia. While Jess attends an art exhibit with his teacher, Leslie falls into the swollen creek and dies. Jess is left to deal with his guilt and grief.
His little sister follows him to Terabithia while Jess is trying to create a memorial to Leslie, and Jess saves her from the creek. He then builds a bridge to Terabithia and takes his little sister to Terabithia where he coronates her as the Queen of Terabithia.
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