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Student Worksheet
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Activity One
Katherine Paterson
Katherine Paterson is the author of Bridge to Terabithia and she has written many other books
as well. What other books have you read that were written by Katherine Paterson?

Would you be more interested in reading a story about a boy or a story about a girl? Explain
your choice.

The inspiration for Bridge to Terabithia came from a real life experience in which the author’s
son was dealing with the sudden and unexpected death of his friend. If you could give her
some guidelines for her next novel, what would you recommend based on what is happen-
ing in your life at the moment?

Write three questions you would want to ask Katherine Paterson if you had the opportunity of
meeting her.
1.
2.
3.

If you were a professional illustrator, what scene from Bridge to Terabithia would you most
want to illustrate? Why? Answer and illustrate it below.

1A
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Student Worksheet
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Activity Two
The State of Virginia
The setting of the novel, Bridge to Terabithia, is that of rural Virginia. The fictional
town of Lark Creek is outside of Washington D.C. in the geographical region of
Appalachia. What do you know about this area? Investigate this area and collect
as much information about it as you can. Include three additional points of interest
about Virgina. Record your findings in the chart below.

The State of Virginia

Population

Capital City

Languages Spoken

Climate

Wildlife

Vegetation

Physical Features
(mountains, lakes, etc.)

Industry

Major Tourist
Attractions

First Point of Interest

Second Point of Interest

Third Point of Interest

2A
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Student Worksheet
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Activity Three
Conflict
Many fictional novels include one of three kinds of conflict, using the main
character:

1. Self vs. Self – This is a form of inner conflict in which the character struggles to
come to terms with something inside him or herself (feelings, attitudes, shortcom-
ings, fear, etc.).

2. Self vs. Another Character – This is a form of outer conflict in which a character
struggles with another character in the novel.

3. Self vs. Society or Nature – This is another kind of outer conflict, but here, the char-
acter struggles with an external force in society of nature (i.e., feeling like an outsider
or not fitting in, struggling to survive in harsh or difficult climate, etc.)

Think about the conflict that happens in Bridge to Terabtihia. Write a short essay about the
conflict, and identify it as one of the kinds of conflict listed above. Be sure to give reasons
for your ideas using evidence from the story.

3A
© Bridge to Terabithia CC2501
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Student Worksheet
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Activity Four
Setting
The novel, Bridge to Terabithia takes place in two very different worlds – the small
town of Lark Creek, Virginia, and the imaginary, magical kingdom of Terabithia.
Look back through the novel for words, phrases and other descriptions of each
place. Record them in a chart below.

Lark Creek Terabithia

What do you notice about these two places? What similarities are there between them?

4A
© Bridge to Terabithia CC2501
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Student Worksheet
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Activity Five
Grief, Death and Loss
Grief, death and loss are important themes in the novel, Bridge to Terabithia. In
fact, the author, Katherine Paterson, experienced these personal challenges in her
own life when her son’s friend was tragically struck by lightning and died. Dealing
with grief, death and loss are part of being human, and things that we all must face
in our lives.

Now that you know about the personal tragedy in the author’s own life, how
does this information change your understanding and appreciation of her novel,
Bridge to Terabithia?

5A
© Bridge to Terabithia CC2501
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Student Worksheet
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Activity Six
Imagination
In the novel, Bridge to Terabithia, we see how the two main characters, Jess and Leslie,
use their imaginations to escape the challenges of their daily lives. They create the
magical kingdom of Terabithia, where they reign as king and queen.

Think about how imagination plays a part in your own life. Reading, especially works of
fiction, brings us into our own imaginations. Daydreaming, watching movies, television
and even playing video games can also engage our imagination.

1. Write down the ways in which your imagination is active in YOUR LIFE.
2. Then think about the PURPOSE imagination serves in our lives, generally.

Here are some questions for you to consider:

• Do you think it is important as a way to escape the pressures we face every day?
• Can our imaginations help us find solutions to problems?
• Can our imaginations help us grow and mature as human beings?
• Or do you think that retreating into one’s imagination is useless, unproductive
or a waste of time?

Think about the characters of Jess and Leslie as you write your response. Give good
reasons for your opinions.

6A
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