by Paula Rosenberg

Created on: August 11, 2008

Katherine Paterson wrote her best known novel, "Bridge to Terabitha" in response to the tragic loss of her son David's best friend Lisa. Thirty years after "Bridge to Terabitha" won the Newbery Medal it is still one of the best loved young adult novels of all time. It is a staple on most middle school summer reading lists. The main characters of "Bridge to Terabitha" are Jess Aarons, Leslie Burke, Miss Edmunds, and Janice Avery.

-Jess Aarons: Jess is an introverted 5th grader who is incredibly artistic. Jess feels a bit out of place both at school and at home. He doesn't hang out with many of his classmates. At home he is the middle of five siblings and is the only boy. He does not have much in common with any of his siblings. The only people Jess feels a connection with are Miss Edmunds and Leslie Burke.

Leslie is the only person Jess truly confides in. She gives him the courage to stand up for himself at school. Leslie helps Jess come out of his shell. Loosing Leslie is devastating for Jess. At first he even deludes himself into thinking that it was all a bad dream. When reality sets in Jess deals with his loss and ends up becoming closer with his younger sister May Belle.

-Leslie Burke: Leslie is the new kid in town. She and Jess become fast friends. Like Jess, Leslie seems to have few friends at school but it doesn't seem to bother her. Leslie's parents are very different then the other parents in town. They are both novelists and do not own a television. Leslie is teased about this at one point.

Leslie is the smartest student in the fifth grade. She is an excellent writer, athlete, and has a vivid imagination. It is her idea to create Terabitha the mythical land that exists in the woods between her home and Jess'. Although Jess is her only close friend in the short time that Leslie is present in Lark Creek she has had an impact on many. Teachers, classmates, and neighbors are shocked and affected by her death.

Miss Edmunds: Miss Edmunds is the young music teacher at the school in Lark Creek. She is somewhat unconventional in her teaching style. Both Jess and Leslie enjoy her. At first Miss Edmunds is the only adult that is encouraging of Jess. She recognizes that Jess is a talented artist and encourages him to use that talent. She even takes Jess to the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. to view paintings. Jess has a crush on Miss Edmunds and does not invite Leslie to join them on their trip to D.C. Jess later feels tremendously guilty about this since Leslie has her accident while he is with Miss Edmunds.

Janice Avery: Janice is the school bully. She picks on almost every student regardless if they are a boy or girl. Janice is taller and bigger then any of the other female students in the school. She will bully anyone that makes fun of her appearance.

Jess and Leslie play a trick on Janice. They convince her that one of the boys in her class has a crush on her. She stays after school and waits for him only to discover this has all been a deception.
Leslie finds Janice crying in the girls' room and assumes it is about the prank. Leslie talks to her and discovers that Janice's father beats her. Jess is the only one that Leslie informs of Janice's secret. After Janice confides in Leslie she no longer picks on her or Jess.

"Bridge to Terabithia" is a wonderful novel that deals with hard issues that pre-teens are faced with. Ultimately this book is about the power of friendship and the impact they can have on our lives. Although Jess and Leslie were only friends for a short time, the reader understands that Jess will never forget her.

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