Bridge to Terabithia

#222
Title: Bridge to Terabithia
Author: Katherine Patterson
Illustrator: Donna Diamond
Publisher: HarperTrophy
Year: 1977
191 pages

This is a reasonably well-constructed book for middle readers, if a little soppy from an adult perspective. Patterson does a good job of showing world view differences based on social class and status, using this as the emotional scenery for her coming-of-age story.

There were two related points where the plot did not ring true: Jess's teacher calls him early in the morning, which May Belle and possibly an adult answering the phone knew about. Further, Jess explains his plan to his mother. However, no one seems to remember this, even when prompted by May Belle. Second, in light of the events of this day, it is very strange to me that this teacher disappears from the narrative.

Read with Le Guin's The Beginning Place for a set-up that is similar in some ways, but told in the fantasy genre.