Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Synopsis:

This Newbery Medal-winning novel by bestselling author Katherine Paterson is a modern classic of friendship and loss.

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.

In addition to being a Newbery Medal winner, Bridge to Terabithia was also named an ALA Notable Children's Book and has become a touchstone of children's literature, as have many of Katherine Paterson's other novels, including The Great Gilly Hopkins and Jacob Have I Loved.

Supports the Common Core State Standards

Rating:★★★

Review:

I'm not sure if it was just me or not but I felt weird the whole time reading this already knowing what was going to happen at the end. 

I'm honestly glad I watched the movie before reading this because I hate to say it but I enjoyed the movie a whole lot more. Reading the actual book lacked in the imagination area for me, I just couldn't pull myself to see what the characters were seeing. I will give the book props for making us feel sorry for Jess because it was obvious that his parents paid less attention and gave a larger workload to him. I don't remember that family dynamic being included in the movie and that truly sucks because it would have made it 10 times better.

Maybe I picked this read up a couple years too late but I know it just wasn't right for me. But I will forever love the movie!!