Bridge to Terabithia

I had never read this book before. With so many people raving about it, I hoped I would like it; however, I loved it.

I could really put myself in the story. I could imagine being Jess, feeling like someone who maybe didn't belong anywhere. When Leslie came, he still seemed very hesitant to be friends with her because it may make him even more of an outsider. I was so happy that Jess finally allowed himself to be friends with Leslie. They almost shut out the world, like nothing mattered except their friendship and their time together. I can even picture two kids like Jess and Leslie out on the playground, playing their own game together, not really caring what the other kids were doing.

I became really engrossed in the story. I was reading chapter eleven in the cafe in the library and boy, was that a mistake! I started crying almost before I read the words. I couldn't stop! I could not imagine a ten year-old going through such a tragedy, let alone a parent. I was especially emotional about Jess's reaction- almost as if it had all been a dream and I didn't happen. I think that is what so many people hope for when they learn of a tragedy. I don't have an experience like that, but my heart still broke for Jess and Leslie's family.

I really love that Jess and Leslie had Terabithia. It was somewhere that was theirs, they shared it. It was also someplace that Jess held on to, a place where he could go to feel that maybe Leslie was there with him. He could go back and remember what they had done together, what Leslie had taught him there. I think that is something important that friends should share: a place, a song, a picture, something that connects them. That way, when they aren't together, they can remember that place or song or picture and feel like they are sitting right next to each other sharing that special moment. I must be full of emotion today because I'm getting very chocked up thinking about sharing something like that with my best friend.

I hope that the movie really doesn't take anything away from what I felt when I read the book. I actually pictured all of us sitting in the theater passing a box of tissues around! I guess we will have to wait and see on Monday!