Bridge to Terabithia is a classic novel by Katherine Paterson, published in 1977 It tells the story of Jess Aarons, a fifth grader whose dreams of being the fastest runner in his class come true. But that isn’t enough for Jess, and so he seeks a new challenge—a secret kingdom, created in a land beneath the trees near his home, called Terabithia. With the help of his new friend, Leslie Burke, Jess builds a magical kingdom filled with creatures, music, and adventure—all of which help him deal with his struggles at school and home.
Bridge to Terabithia is a compelling coming-of-age story that deals with themes of friendship, loss, and the power of imagination. It can be an excellent source of writing topics, whether for an essay, a short story, or a creative writing piece. Here are five great ideas that could be effective writing topics based on this classic novel:
1. Friendship and Its Limits: How do the main characters, Jess and Leslie, demonstrate the importance of friendship and its limits? How does their relationship evolve over the course of the novel?
2. Grief and Loss: How does the death of Leslie affect Jess and the other characters? What does this death reveal about human nature and our ability to cope with loss?
3. Imagination and Brave new Worlds: What is the power of imagination, as demonstrated through the creation of Terabithia? How can imagination be a powerful tool to help us explore new possibilities?
4. Creating Safe Spaces: How does the kingdom of Terabithia serve as a safe space for Jess and Leslie to escape their struggles and express themselves?
5. Growing Up: How does Jess’s journey to adulthood come to a conclusion at the end of the novel? How does this reflect his personal growth?