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over used and they are based in reality. Squirrels become dangerous attack creatures, dragonflies become Terabithian warriors, and when her own demons break down her gruff defenses, the schoolyard bully becomes a friendly giant

Having had my share of severe financial problems, I cringed at the scenes that found Jess' parents pinching pennies, suppressing their desires, and taking their anger out on their children. It all rang so true. But as they get to know and trust each other, Jess and Leslie become true friends. It is a beautiful, give-and-take relationship; Leslie has someone who is able to understand and participate in her world (which she has lovingly dubbed "Terabithia"), and Jess has found an important escape from his mundane, tense life at home and school.

One thing I have learned is that the human spirit cannot be denied. Even if they are suppressed, emotions will eventually manifest themselves somehow. The main character and most of his family members experience misplaced anger. It is only the youngest sister who is still nave enough to know exactly what is upsetting her and what she wants done about it, and she alone is able to articulate it clearly.

Creativity and inventiveness are in all of us. They cannot be ignored. This is why Leslie is successful in befriending Jess. They provide each other with crucial contact on a very basic level. Jess is a talented artist, but he doesn't consider his gifts very highly because no one ever acknowledges his work until a teacher happens upon it accidentally. It seems that Leslie has inherited her parents' proficiency with words, but it seems very commonplace to her, so she doesn't really attach any meaning to the things that she can do. In their own ways, the two friends admire and encourage each other talents.

I'm sure that my instant affection for this story stems from the fact that I have only recently given up on striking it rich. Alas, I cannot put my financial concerns out of my head completely because I have to eat and keep a roof over my head, but I finally decided that a large paycheck was no longer worth the trouble. Like Leslie, I gave up trying to fit in. I ceased my rat-racial pursuit of corporate success to instead focus on my first love and greatest talent: the written word. My checking account may protest, but the rest of me feels a hundred times better.

When I was working as a corporate trainer, I went to lots of workshops and conferences to hone my skills. One of the most valuable lessons that

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