Bridge to Terabithia is a children's novel written by American author Katherine Paterson. The book was originally published in 1977 by Thomas Crowell, and won a Newbery Medal the year after. The novel tells the story of fifth-grader Jesse Aarons, who becomes friends with his new neighbor, Leslie Burke, after he loses a footrace to her at school. Leslie is a tomboy from a wealthy family, and Jesse thinks highly of her. Jesse is an artistic boy from a poorer family who, in the beginning, is fearful and angry. After meeting Leslie, however, his life is transformed. He becomes courageous and learns to let go of his frustration. The two children create a kingdom for themselves, which Leslie names 'Terabithia'. (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0)