Paterson, K. (1977). Bridge to Terabithia. New York: Crown. Jess is a boy that lives in the country, goes to a small town school and wants to be the fastest runner in 5th grade. He has been practicing running all summer getting up early before he has to milk the cow and all the other chores. Jess can't wait to show off his running skills to the other boys at the school.  He is sandwiched in the middle of his sisters, two older and two youngest.  He is partial to his sister, May Belle, who is in 1st grade. Jess loves to draw even though his Dad frowns on him wasting his time creating pictures.  Miss Edmunds understands and appreciates his drawings, he loves being in her music class on Friday.  She is unique and the only female teacher that has dared not wear a dress to school. Soon a family moves into the old Perkin's farmhouse, most people don't stay long. Leslie is the new neighbor girl, skinny, unpretentious and a fast runner.  It is awkward when she first comes to school, she does not follow the social rules.  She beats all the boys running, does not hang out with the girls, she wears cut offs and plain clothes. Jess understands she would like to be his friend but he is not open to it at first.  Slowly, they become friends and Jess does not care what others say about it.  Leslie is so smart, brave and easy to talk to; they create a kingdom in the grove. Only Jess and Leslie are allow in Terabithia, the kingdom within the grove.  Leslie makes it magical saying it reminds her of Narnia and talks like a queen. Jess and Leslie appreciate each other and enjoy their time together. Even when the rain downpours Leslie is insistent that they still go to Terabithia; Jess is hesitant but Leslie's determination wins out.  After several days of unrelenting rain, Jess decides he will tell Leslie he will not go to Terabithia.  His teacher also tired of all the rain stops by Jess's house early one morning inviting him to go to a museum with her.  His sleeping Mom tell him yes and Jess hurries out before she changes her mind.  All day long is spent with Miss Edmunds walking around the museum and eating at a cafe.  Jess wishes that Leslie could be here but really enjoys his time being alone with his teacher.  As she drops him off at home, his family is hushed and worried looking, his Mom had been crying.   One of the girls blurt out that his girl friend is dead and that they thought he was dead too.  Leslie decided  to Terabithia alone, swinging over the stream at the entrance of grove like they always did and she fell.  She must have hit her head and she died.  Jess could not believe that it really happened surely is was all a misunderstanding.  The book continues as Jess processes the emotions of his best friend dying, the care of his family and understanding of his teachers. Jess decides to share Terabithia with May Belle but first he lays out lumber for a bridge so she could walk there like a queen. Bridge to Terabithia is a lovely book of true friendship between an unlikely pair, Jess and Leslie.  They help each other navigate through school, not so nice kids and family. Leslie opens a new world to Jess, her family choose to move to a simpler life and Leslie shares her experiences and family with Jess.  Katherine Paterson is a multi-award winning author that has written over 30 books.  Bridge to Terabithia won many awards including the Newbery Award in 1978. It has also been made into a 2007 movie starring AnnaSophia Robb and Josh Hutcherson. Her website http://katherinepaterson.com/  is a must visit for all that love Terabithia and Katherine Paterson complete with her Twitter feed and information on her books.