Anderson, Hans Christian. (1965). The Nightingale.  New York:  Harper.
FOLKTALE
This is a folktale about an enduringly popular story of the emperor and the nightingale; a drab, ordinary-looking bird that sang so beautifully.  The book is beautifully illustrated with exquisite jewel-toned, double-spread paintings in three colors – a style which is suggestive of Chinese art.  Because this tale is about an emperor, students could compare and contrast the differences between an emperor and a king.  We could discuss the reasons that Leslie may have had for coming up with such rulers for their imaginary world.
 

Dromgoole, Will Allen.  The Bridge Builder.
POETRY
Dromgoole began writing for publication when she was about twenty-six years old, following the death of her mother.  She wrote out of a need to support herself and to fulfill the wishes of her mother, who had always encouraged her to be a writer.  In this classic poem, Dromgoole writes about one person's feeling of connection with and responsibility for others.  At the end of Bridge to Terabithia, when Jess invites May Belle to Terabithia, Jess manages to turn a place of tragic memories into something positive.  In both the novel and the poem, a bridge becomes symbolic of something greater than itself.
 

Fry, Virginia Lynn and Paterson, Katherine.  Part of Me Died, Too:  Stories of Creative Survival Among Bereaved Children and Teenagers.
NON-FICTION
Virginia Lynn Fry is an artist and counselor who works with dying people and their families.  For more than fifteen years, she has helped children and adults deal with loss through creativity.  This piece comes from a collection of true stories about children dealing with the loss of family members or friends.  After Leslie's death, Jess at first, has trouble understanding the reality of the tragic situation. After reading The Death of Friends, try to explain the feelings that Jess seems to experience.  What is constructive or not constructive about the ways in which different individuals deal with Leslie's death?

Greenlee, Sharon. (1992).  When Someone Dies.  Atlanta:  Peachtree Publishers. 
 REALISTIC FICTION
This books is a beautiful heart-felt story about families, friendships and death.

Hill, Christine M. (2000).  Ten Terrific Authors for Teens.
BIOGRAPHY
This is a great book for students to learn more about Katherine Paterson and many other authors who write wonderful children's literature.  This book differs from reference books in that it provides a more personal touch.
 

Hughes, Langston.  The Dream Keeper and Dream Dust.
POETRY
Langston Hughes (1902-1967) was an African American poet who often wrote about the importance of holding on to dreams.  He was a leader of the Harlem Renaissance - a period of outstanding literary vigor and creativity that was centered in the Harlem district of New York City in the 1920's.  Hughes knew the importance of self-expression and understood the struggle to be heard and taken seriously.  In Bridge to Terabithia, Jess and Leslie build a dream world of their own - an imaginary world that is more than just a means to entertain themselves.  Relate the meaning of their dream world to the ideas expressed in these two poems by Hughes.

Jenness, Aylette. (1990).  Families:  A Celebration of Diversity, Commitment, and Love.
NON-FICTION
This book contains short stories told by seventeen children and their parents as they openly discuss the challenges and benefits of contemporary family life.  This book provides students with a variety of exposure to different kinds of families and enables them to see how other children live and contribute to their family unit.
 

Johmann, Carol A. and Elizabeth J. Rieth.  Bridges!  Amazing Structures to Design, Build & Test.  (1999).  U.S.A.:  Williamson.
HOW-TO
This book explains how bridges work and presents activities and experiments to clarify the concepts.  Arches, beam bridges, suspension bridges and more become easy to understand with the help of many thoughtfully designed projects, small and large.  Illustrated with black-and-white photographs, useful diagrams and comic drawings, the book incorporates history as well as engineering in a way that children will enjoy.  This book would be great to use in conjunction with Bridge to Terabithia as science, history and art would be integrated into the language arts curriculum.  A book about bridges would provide the students with wonderful opportunities to explore, research and build their own bridges within the classroom.  Questions such as “Why are bridges so important?” and “What kinds of connections can we make between the bridge in our story and real-life bridges?” will be asked. (Good for ages 9-13)
 

Paterson, Katherine.  (1992).  The Kings Equal.
FAIRY TALE
This is a fairy tale about a mythical kingdom.  This book grew out of a visit to a book symposium in the former Soviet Union, where Paterson met Vladmir Vagin, whose illustrations for this book have a distinctly, East European flavor.  How is this kingdom similar or different from the kingdom that Jesse and Leslie create?
 
 

Paterson, Katherine. (1978).  The Great Gilly Hopkins.
MULTICULTURAL/REALISTIC FICTION
Katherine Patterson addresses the issue of racial prejudice.  Gilly Hopkins has spent her life moving from one foster home to another and along the way, has developed a variety of prejudices as a way to protect herself.  Gilly is aghast that her newest foster mother, Maime Trotter has befriended her blind, African American neighbor, Mr. Randolph.  She is also upset that her new school teacher, Miss Harris, turns out to be African American.  Ultimately, Gilly comes to appreciate both Mr. Randolph, who introduces her to the poetry of William Wordsworth and Miss Harris, who shares her anger toward the world and leads her to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.  In Bridge to Terabithia, we experience a few hurtful situations.  Can you find these situations in your book?
 
 

Polacco, Patricia.  (2001).  Betty Doll.
BIOGRAPHY
This is a biography written by Patricia Polacco about her family's experiences.  As she shares these experiences, Betty Doll is there too.  When Trisha needs Betty Doll most, she opens a package and rediscovers the sweet old doll with a letter written by her mother right before she died.  In it, her mother tells the story of Betty Doll.  From the first day she sewed Betty Doll, to the day, many years later when she discovered she had cancer and cried with Betty Doll in her arms.  Patricia's mother captures the climatic moments of her life and shares them with her daughter one last time.  Patricia tells a story that is close to her heart, of the doll who ties her to her mother's love, even after she's gone.  Does this story remind you of anything in Bridge to Terabithia?
 

 Romaine, Trevor. (1999).  What on Earth do you do When Someone Dies?  U.S.A.:  Freespirit.
NON-FICTION
This book covers many questions children have about death, different memorial customs and ways to cope with feelings about death.  As there is a death in Bridge to Terabithia, it is important to remember that many students will probably have questions or stories that they want to share and this book may provide the format to do so.
 

Sebestyen, Ouida.  Playing God.
REALISTIC FICTION
Ouida Sebestyen is a Texas native who writes novels and short stories for young adults.  She wants her stories to celebrate life, love and family and to show people triumphing over difficult circumstances.  In this story, a young man deals with conflict and uncertainty.  In Bridge to Terabithia, Jess faces many frustrations and struggles.  He doesn't always feel understood at home or at school and he is always learning more about himself and others.
 

Walsh-Anglund, Joan. (1958).  A Friend is Someone Who Likes You.  Sandiego:  Harcourt.
POETRY
This book of poetry shares a message of friendship.  It talks of people having different kinds of friends and different relationships.  When I read this poem, parts of it remind me of Jesse and Leslie.  Identify the parts that remind you of Jesse and Leslie.  Change the parts that don't remind you of their friendship to something more appropriate.
 
 

Dictionary of Literary Biography/American Writers for Children Since 1960:  Fiction (V.52). (1986).  U.S.A.:  Gale Research (p. 296-314).
REFERENCE
This reference book contains a lengthy biography about Katherine Paterson.  This can be most helpful before starting our novel study on Bridge to Terabithia.
 
 

Writers of Multicultural Fiction for Young Adults:  A Bio-Critical Sourcebook. (1996).  Westport, CT:  Greenwood Press.
REFERENCE
This reference book should be used with the one above.  It provides more of a critical take on the literature that Katherine Paterson has written.