Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussions of death, emotional abuse, bullying, and mental illness.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you react to Paterson's decision to include such an intense loss in a children's novel? Have you read other children's books that deal with grief, such as Paterson's Jacob Have I Loved? How does Bridge to Terabithia compare to that title?

2. Which aspects of Leslie and Jess's friendship felt most authentic to you, based on your understanding of childhood relationships? What made these elements particularly convincing?

3. How effectively does Paterson balance the magical elements of Terabithia with the stark realities of rural life in 1970s Virginia?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Think about a friendship that changed how you see the world. What parallels can you draw between that relationship and Leslie and Jess's connection?

2. How does Jess's struggle with expressing his artistic side resonate with your own experiences of pursuing interests that others have discouraged?

3. When have you encountered a place like Terabithia—somewhere that allowed you to be entirely yourself?