Libby’s Reviews > Bridge to Terabithia > Status Update

Jess has a great time at the museum with his teacher, (and crush) Ms. Edmunds. He can't wait to tell Leslie about it and also apologize for not inviting her. However, when he gets to his house, his family is surprised that he is even alive. Because of the rain, the river had risen tremendously, and Leslie's body was found. Jess is in denial that his best friend was now gone.

It has been raining a lot where Leslie and Jess live. This worries Jess a lot, but not Leslie. Leslie is very adventurous and would do anything to go to Terabithia every day. Jess decides to go to a museum with his teacher who he has a bit of a crush on. He feels like he should invite Leslie, but he wants alone time with his crush.

Jess and Leslie have figured out why Janice was crying. They feel bad for her and seem to be able to relate to her more now. Jess and Leslie also went to church on Easter together and admit to being best friends.

Jess doesn't feel like it's Christmas time when he goes back to his family. They are insensitive about his feelings. However, when he's with Leslie, he forgets about all of that and feels happy. Leslie and Jess decide to help Leslie's parents paint a room in their house, and they all get to know each other better. School starts again, and Leslie and Jess discover that something is wrong with the bully, Janice Avery.

Jess and Leslie want revenge on Janice Avery, the bully. They decide to write a note from the cutest boy in school and send it to her. So far, it seems like things aren't going to go well with Janice. It's Christmas time soon, so Jess and Leslie give each other presents. Leslie gave Jess watercolors and Jess gave Leslie a puppy, which they named the prince of Terabithia.

It seems now that Leslie and Jess already have a new enemy at school, an older girl named Janice Avery. But, because of this, Leslie and Jess sort of create a bond and become better friends. They decide to make a sort of place just for themselves. This place is near both of their homes and far in to the woods. They even have a rope over a river to get to their new land where they are the king and queen: Terabithia.

Jess Aarons is ready for the race. He was going to win, until Leslie Burke, the new girl that is also his neighbor, beats him and the rest of the boys. It's not hard to tell that Leslie is a very unique girl. She is already a teacher's pet and gets made fun of for multiple things. Jess then sees Leslie crying and tries to see what is wrong, but she runs in to the bathroom.

Jess has been practicing all summer on his running skills. He wants to be the best runner in fifth grade and win every race once school comes around. The first chapter introduces Jess, his family, and his ambitions/determination to be the best of the best.