Bridge to Terabithia: Library Edition — Content Guide for Parents

Frequently asked questions

• Is Bridge to Terabithia: Library Edition appropriate for a 7-year-old?

  The story includes themes of bullying and a tragic event where a character dies after falling into a river during a storm. This event is significant to the plot and affects the main character's emotional journey. While the book deals with themes of loss and grief, it does not contain genuinely frightening content that would cause fear or nightmares. The story is more about emotional challenges than horror.

• Does Bridge to Terabithia: Library Edition have violence?

  The story includes themes of bullying and a tragic event where a character dies after falling into a river during a storm. This event is significant to the plot and affects the main character's emotional journey.

• Does Bridge to Terabithia: Library Edition have scary content?

  While the book deals with themes of loss and grief, it does not contain genuinely frightening content that would cause fear or nightmares. The story is more about emotional challenges than horror.

• Does Bridge to Terabithia: Library Edition have religious themes?

  The book has faced challenges for being perceived as sacrilegious and promoting new age religion. It portrays faith in a positive light, suggesting fulfillment without strict dogma. The author’s background as the child of missionaries may influence the narrative.

• Does Bridge to Terabithia: Library Edition have racial/cultural content?

  There are no explicit racial themes or discussions in the book. The focus is on the friendship and personal growth of the characters rather than on race or racism.

• Does Bridge to Terabithia: Library Edition have profanity?

  The book includes mild profanity and religious profanities, such as 'Lord' and other expressions that some readers may find inappropriate. These instances have led to challenges against the book.

• Does Bridge to Terabithia: Library Edition have climate change?

  There are no themes related to climate activism or environmentalism present in the book. The narrative focuses on personal relationships and emotional growth rather than environmental issues.

• Does Bridge to Terabithia: Library Edition have sexual identity?

  There is no sexual content in the book. The focus is on the innocent friendship between the main characters, without any romantic or sexual themes.

• Does Bridge to Terabithia: Library Edition have gender roles?

  The book explores gender roles through the characters of Jess and Leslie, with Leslie rejecting traditional femininity in favor of exploration and knowledge. This dynamic challenges societal expectations of gender.

• Does Bridge to Terabithia: Library Edition have lgbtq+ themes?

  No LGBTQ+ themes are explicitly present in the book. The narrative focuses on the friendship between a boy and a girl, without any mention of LGBTQ+ characters or themes.