Katherine Paterson

Fiction 1977 | 192 pages

I didn't know this was a young adult book when I checked it out.  

Jess Aarons has been practicing all summer so he can be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. And he almost is, until the new girl in school, Leslie Burke, outpaces him. The two become fast friends and spend most days in the woods behind Leslie's house, where they invent an enchanted land called Terabithia. One morning, Leslie goes to Terabithia without Jess and a tragedy occurs. It will take the love of his family and the strength that Leslie has given him for Jess to be able to deal with his grief.

A sweet, if sad, story.  I really enjoyed Bridge to Terabithia and it comes with my recommendation. 

September 2026