Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Fifth grader Jess has been practicing all summer to win the school race. Newcomer Leslie beats Jess and afterwards the two become inseparable, best of friends, despite being a girl and boy. They create a make believe world of Terabithia reached by a rope swing where they reign as king and queen. One day, Leslie goes to Terabithia and a terrible accident happens. Jess suffers through guilt, grief and rage before reaching acceptance.

Themes of friendship, love and loss are found in the story.

This book has been challenged frequently because of the sudden death and religious references. I believe that the religious references are demonstrative of people found in this setting. The death took me by surprise when I read the book. I can understand the impulse to protect a child from learning of death. When the time comes, this would be a good book to begin the conversation of how to deal with it.

Paterson, K. (1977). Bridge to terabithia. New York, NY: Harper and Row, Publishers.
ISBN: 0064401847
Illustrated by Donna Diamond

The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson

Eleven year old Gilly Hopkins has been living in foster care been through a few homes. She has become tough, hardened and distrustful as a result. Hope comes only from the thought of reuniting with her mother someday. Gilly is placed in a new home with a cast of unusual characters and over time Gilly finds herself softening. Just when she feels safe and loved in her new home, her grandmother finds her and takes her back to live with her and eventually reunites with her mother. Some language used could be offensive to the reader.

A story told in chronological order from Gilly's omniscient point of view. Conflict can be found between Gilly and herself as she fights off trusting her new family and teacher. Themes of loss, family, love, trust and consequences of actions are here in the story. Gilly's character is unpleasant, racist, bratty in the beginning and her actions are frustrating. As the story continues, she becomes lovable.

I wasn't wild about the book in the beginning. I found her character hard to like and I wonder what children think of her? As a rule, I wouldn't recommend it for a hesitant reader. The pace was slower in the beginning. Towards the end, I found Gilly's story more compelling.

Paterson, K. (1978). The great gilly hopkins. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
ISBN: 0590613898

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

Third-grader Harriet M. Welsch knows she will be a writer when she grows up. In preparation, she carries a notebook and takes notes on her family, friends and even some neighbors she spies on. She does this to make sense of her world. Harriet learns some tough lessons when first her governess, Ole Golly, leaves her post to get married leaving Harriet alone for the first time and then her notebook is found and read by her classmates who are not pleased with the unflattering comments.

Harriet's story is told in chronological narrative order. Throughout the book, conflict can be found within Harriet, with her family and friends individually and her school class. The book is split into three. The first introducing Harriet and ends with Ole Golly leaving. The second book finds Harriet lonely without Ole Golly and ends with her even lonelier after her notebook is read. In the final book, Ole Golly sends a letter and Harriet's problems at school are resolved. The setting is important in creating a place where Harriet is left alone frequently and the city is large enough that her spying is not noticed. Themes of loss, self-acceptance and kindness over truth are found in this story.

I really enjoyed this book as an adult. I was completely entranced turning pages quickly. I did not remember the Ole Golly storyline at all only the spying and notebook trouble. When I first read the book, I would have been in school and the school storyline must have been more appealing. Harriet is a great character and the story depicts cliques and conflicts that arise in school accurately. (At least it did for my school.) I understand that this book was highly controversial because Harriet is a flawed character. I don't find her flawed, I find her true to a child raised in that environment. I would have no problem giving/reading this book to a child.

Fitzhugh, L. (1964). Harriet the spy. New York, NY: Dell Yearling.
ISBN: 0440416795
Illustrated by the author