Bridges to Terabithia

Author:  Katherine Paterson                         

http://www.terabithia.com/

Illustrator: Donna Diamond

About the Author:
Katherine Paterson was born in China, where her parents were missionaries.  Through their work her family moved many times when she was a child.  She studied English and American literature in college, after college, she went to Japan to do missionary work, although her first choice was China, it was closed to Americans at the time.  Her life as a writer began in 1964.  Katherine Paterson believes children’s books should deal with contemporary, realistic themes.  She has written on death, foster care, and slavery.

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: 4-6

Synopsis:
This is a story about a ten year old boy who becomes friends with a girl who moves to his school. Her family was considered strange, but she opened his eyes about imagination and learning, and changed his life.  Leslie created Terabithia, their secret Kingdom in the woods where they reigned supreme. When they were there, no one could defeat them. 

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions:

Have you ever met someone new?  Were you nervous? How did you get to know them? 

Activity:

Have each student write down three things that they like and three things they do not like.  Have the students go around the room until they find one person with a like and one person with a dislike the same as them.  Have students record who has the same like and same dislike as they do.

Post Reading Activity:

Questions:

Is it good to have an open mind when meeting someone new?  What could happen if you judge a book by its cover when meeting someone for the first time? What are some good things that can happen when meeting new people?

Activity:

After reading the story, divide the class into small groups.  Have the students list five things that are positive about meeting someone new, five feelings that would be attached to meeting someone knew, and why those feelings are present.  List five things that they could do to make a new person in their class feel welcome.  

Reflection:

I think this book would be a great way to start the beginning of a school year, when students are meeting new classmates and a new teacher.  I think it would create a positive atmoshphere by talking about meeting new people, and having an open mind.  When you meet someone new, even if they do not seem the same as you, you should keep an open mind to their way of life. Try and learn what you can from them, it might change your life in a positive way that you did not think was possible.   I think with the bullying that is happening in and out of our schools, this book can show the students that what we may think about someone, could be wrong and we can learn from all people.