Elle Pierre's Blog - Posts Tagged "chapter-books"

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


THE BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA was an interesting read, that's for sure. I liked the authors writing style, which captures the rural dialect used by the characters.

This book is your typical coming-of-age story, in my opinion: Jesse, the main character, starts out innocent, with a childish desires (HINT: Wanting to be the fastest runner in the 5th grade), begins to see life through a new light with the help of Leslie, the imaginative girl-next-door, then, COMPLETELY out of the blue, tragedy enters his life (HINT: DEATH), and by the end of the book, he's a slightly different person.

Dangit coming-of-age stories.

I'm not going to say I hated the entire book... but I didn't like the ending at all. It just wasn't... satisfying. Let's say Leslie had a terminal illness, went to the hospital, Jesse saw her one last time, and then she died. THAT would of been a sad, but nice, heartfelt ending to a coming-of-age story. But no. She drowns. Alone. IN THE WOODS. Coincidently, while Jesse is at an art museum, enjoying himself with his favorite teacher.

I'm sorry... WHAT?!

Look, I get it: Life is fragile. Children shouldn't be given the misconception that life is full of sunny days and picture book endings, and books should help children understand that. And I guess that's the point really? You don't always get that perfect ending.

This is one of those books I think everyone should read at least once in their life, just so they know what it's about.



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