Bridge to Terabithia

Natasha Percy | 4 June 2007

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Bridge to Terabithia
Buena Vista International
Rated PG

Your.sydneyanglicans.net is giving away four family passes to Bridge to Terabithia for the best answers to ‘The best lesson I learned as a child…’

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Our winners so far...

"The best lesson I learned as a child is that I should always do what I know to be right, regardless of what others say. My mother taught me lots of things but I am most grateful to her for reassuring me from a very young age that my real friends would stand by me no matter what, and those who didn’t probably aren’t worth worrying about. This has stood me in good stead all my life – it helped me avoid the hazards of peer pressure in my teenage years, and gave me the confidence to make sometimes difficult decisions in the adult world. Now as a Christian, I am stronger to “swim against the tide” and to trust in Jesus, my real Friend, who will always stand by me even when others don’t." Cathy Robertson

"The best lesson I learned as a child was not to try and fix my heater with a metal rod while it is still plugged in!" Paul Beeston

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Based on the classic novel by Katherine Paterson, Bridge to Terabithia tells the story of Jesse and Leslie, a boy and girl from different backgrounds, united by ostracism and imagination.

Neither of them have an easy time at school or at home – and Terabithia (a deserted area in the woods) becomes their escape, a kingdom where they rule as king and queen, and defend its creatures against imaginary dark forces.

The storyline is a common one: children with complicated backgrounds who don’t fit in at school find an escape through their imagination, until reality cuts through the veil they have created and forces them to deal with their difficult lives, with a positive lesson.

Born to missionary parents in China, Paterson often uses biblical themes in her novels. Those who love the book will notice some differences, but as a whole, the film is a fair representation of the well-known novel.

Despite their youth, Leslie, Jesse and his little sister May Belle are confronted with tough issues such as financial hardship, domestic violence, and death. When the children ask their questions about heaven and hell, they have only their scant knowledge and understanding to go by.

What is missing in their lives is the steadfast example and teaching of Christian parents and friends, and church ministries such as Sunday School. As a result, they face these questions alone, little realising that their ideas and beliefs will be put to the test when tragedy strikes.

Bridge to Terabithia reveals that we are never too young to be faced with the difficult and fickle realities of life. Here is where the solid and sensitive teaching of trustworthy and committed Christian role models counts.

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