Once they spot the crab apple tree, grab hold of the rope tethered to it, and then swing across the creek bed, they’ve entered their refuge and “the special world of their own.” It is their secret place to escape their childhood responsibilities and disappointments. The “Terabithia” from the book’s title refers to a secluded place in the woods where Jess and Leslie go to imagine themselves king and queen of a magical kingdom. Through Jess’ friendship with Leslie, he begins to tap into a different side of himself that is artistic and imaginative, qualities that aren’t much tolerated in his own family. Leslie is smart and interesting and “worldly” in the sense that she is from the city and has experiences and ideas beyond the small farming community to which her family has recently relocated. But despite their rocky beginning, Jess and Leslie strike up a fast friendship. Leslie is kind of different and obviously out of place. And this student happens to be the new neighbor girl, Leslie Burke. Jess trained relentlessly all summer to outrun every other boy in his class to become “the fastest kid in the fifth grade.” Imagine his surprise when a new student shows up and beats everyone handily on day one. Bridge to Terabithia centers on Jess Aarons, a 10-year-old farm kid in rural Virginia.
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