The 40th anniversary edition of the classic Newbery Medal-winning title by beloved author Katherine Paterson, with brand-new bonus materials including an author's note by Katherine herself and a foreword by New York Times bestselling author Kate DiCamillo.
Jess Aarons has been practicing all summer so he can be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. And he almost is, until the new girl in school, Leslie Burke, outpaces him. The two become fast friends and spend most days in the woods behind Leslie’s house, where they invent an enchanted land called Terabithia. One morning, Leslie goes to Terabithia without Jess and a tragedy occurs. It will take the love of his family and the strength that Leslie has given him for Jess to be able to deal with his grief.
Bridge to Terabithia was also named an ALA Notable Children’s Book and has become a touchstone of children’s literature.
Who banned this book...
- a school in Pennsylvania banned it for offensive language (the main character, a boy named Jess, occasionally uses what some view as the Lord's name in vain) and disrespect towards authority figures.
- banned many times between 1990 and 2000 due to it containing information about "witchcraft", "magic", "evil spells", or related material. Some parents in Connecticut believed this material is "satanic, a danger to our children."
- in 1996, Pulaski Township, Pennsylvania had it removed from 5th grade classrooms of New Brighton Area School District due to “profanity, disrespect for adults, and an elaborate fantasy world” that “might lead to confusion.”
Jess Aarons has been practicing all summer so he can be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. And he almost is, until the new girl in school, Leslie Burke, outpaces him. The two become fast friends and spend most days in the woods behind Leslie’s house, where they invent an enchanted land called Terabithia. One morning, Leslie goes to Terabithia without Jess and a tragedy occurs. It will take the love of his family and the strength that Leslie has given him for Jess to be able to deal with his grief.
Bridge to Terabithia was also named an ALA Notable Children’s Book and has become a touchstone of children’s literature.
Who banned this book...
- a school in Pennsylvania banned it for offensive language (the main character, a boy named Jess, occasionally uses what some view as the Lord's name in vain) and disrespect towards authority figures.
- banned many times between 1990 and 2000 due to it containing information about "witchcraft", "magic", "evil spells", or related material. Some parents in Connecticut believed this material is "satanic, a danger to our children."
- in 1996, Pulaski Township, Pennsylvania had it removed from 5th grade classrooms of New Brighton Area School District due to “profanity, disrespect for adults, and an elaborate fantasy world” that “might lead to confusion.”