My book is called Bridge to Terabithia. It is a Newbery Medal winning children’s novel published in 1977. It is about Jess and Leslie, two 10-year old kids living in Virginia in the 1970’s. The book explores their growing friendship and the unbreakable bond they develop.

Jess Aarons lives in Lark Creek, Virginia and leads a pretty unremarkable life. The middle boy with four sisters, Jess aspires and practices all summer to be the fastest boy in grade 5. Suddenly, out of nowhere he is not only beaten in his race, but by a girl! Jess is mortified and begins to resent the girl that beat him, Leslie Burke. In time, Jess eases up when he comes to realize that Leslie is not only fast, but smart, interesting and fun. Together they explore their town and find a wooded area across from a creek that soon becomes their own private kingdom of Terabithia. In Terabithia Jess and Leslie are king and queen and rule over their very own imaginary land. However, eventually tragedy strikes and changes both of their lives forever.

I really connected to this book because when I was about the same age my friends and I had a secret club under a bridge next to a creek in our neighbourhood. Reading this book gave me many moments of nostalgia.

I recommend this book for anyone looking to relive the wonder and excitement of childhood.