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Bridge to Terabithia

(1977, Fiction - Friendship, Written by Katherine Paterson, Illustrated by Donna Diamond)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Honest, moving story of friendship and loss.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Includes many lessons for tweens on dealing with bullies, walking in someone else's shoes, and the value of imagination and friendship.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    A main character dies. The death isn't described in detail.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Bridge to Terabithia

Parents need to know that this Newbery winner with positive and imaginative tween characters is a real tear-jerker at the end when a main character dies.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about so much in this book, from friendship to imagination to loss. How does Terabithia strengthen Jesse and Leslie's friendship? In what ways is their fantasy world similar to their everyday world? Have you ever constructed a fantasy world?

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about Bridge to Terabithia?
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See all 47 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    For older than 4th graders

    I love it! Great book! Not recommended for younger than 4th graders. Uses a little bad language, not too bad though.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    I love this book i read this last year as my report but there were few bad language's but i think a 4th grade can read it but careful not to use it. I got after school detention at middle for saying a bad word.. so it fun also :)

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    i love the book

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it 2.0

    Quite Boring

    dont men to be mean to the author or anything but i read this for a class novel and my whole class and my teacher thought that it was a really boring book that just went on and on.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    Pefect for 5th-8th graders

    I am currently reading this book with my 5th and 6th graders. It is a wonderful tale with a beautiful message about how friendship can transcend gender (which can lead to the discussion of friendship transcending age, race, etc...). However, I want parents to be aware of the use of the word hell used repeatedly as well as an occasional use of other words not used in common everyday language.

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