The Brooklyn Bridge made it possible to get from New York City to Brooklyn. Likewise our emotional bridges allow us to overcome personal obstacles.

Where's Terabithia, and why do you need a bridge to get there?

What do Jess and Leslie have in common? What traits of their friendship do you admire and try to have in your own relationships?

By the title alone, we know that Bridge to Terabithia will involve some type of bridge. But in this book the bridge isn't just physical. The bridge that Jesse Aarons and Leslie Burke (the main characters) need to cross isn't only about geography.

They also take an emotional journey together. In this way, they cross a bridge from one place in their lives to another. Through their friendship and the bond they share, each character learns and grows.

Symbolic Bridges

In our lives there are certain events that we cannot face alone. It's easier to deal with hard issues, such as fear and death, when we enlist the help of friends or family. These people serve as our bridges. They help us overcome difficult situations.

		Building Bridges: Author Katherine Paterson chose a symbolic title for her novel. How does symbolism help you understand the important ideas in the book?

It isn't always easy, but crossing bridges is the only way to accomplish great things.

This book's title also foreshadows that a bridge is going to be an important part of the story because it's going to transport the characters to Terabithia.

That journey will be physical and emotional. The characters cross over to new places in their lives and new levels of understanding about their world.

Curious? You'll have to read for yourself to understand all of the nuances of this book's title.

As you start your journey to Terabithia, keep these questions in mind:

1. Where do Jesse and Leslie begin?
2. What does each learn?
3. What gifts — literal and symbolic — do they give each other?
4. How does each complete the journey?
5. How might you respond to the same events in your life?