Bridge to Terabithia: Katherine Paterson

Title: Bride to Terabithia
Writer: Katherine Paterson (novel)
Director: Gabor Csupo
Produced by: Walt Disney (2007)


Media Format: Book
Genre: Realistic with elements of fantasy
Selection Source: Newbery Medal
Reading Audience: Older Children & Young YAs, but the book/movie deals with mature themes
Watching Recommendation: 3.5 ***
Curriculum Connection: Dealing with death/dying


Summary
I, like the person who reviews this movie in the video above, and many others, was surprised to find out, upon watching this movie that it was not a fantasy. It was really marketed as a fantasy like The Chronicles of Narnia. It didn't bother me as much as some people, but it was something I noticed when the movie was about three quarters of the way over. This is not a fantasy movie. It incorporates elements of fantasy into a realistic story about two junior high school students who form a deep friendship. The protagonist is a boy named Jess. At first, he was dismayed by the new girl, Leslie who beats him in a foot race. She's quite persistent in pursuing his friendship, and it turns out there is a lot he can learn from her. She learns from him too, but she is the one who brings the energy to the relationship, and opens his eyes to the world and to himself. Unfortunately, beautiful friendships to not always last as long as they could/should, and Jess has to figure out how to move on without forgetting the magic that Leslie brought into his life.


Evaluation
This story is primarily aimed at junior high students, but it's possible that mature children could watch it, as well as older YAs. It's an archetypal friendship story. It's about two people who recognize that life is better, because they can share it with each other. They work together to help the teacher, thwart bullies, do chores at home, and create a magical kingdom which they rule from an abandoned tree house.
----Spoiler Alert----
It's primary use is to teach young people about dealing with the death of a friend, and how to move on from that tragic situation without forgetting that person.