Bridge to Terabithia — Chapter 12

About This Passage

These are the novel's final words, and they are an act of extraordinary generosity. Jess has lost everything — his best friend, his co-ruler, his guide to the world of imagination. But instead of closing Terabithia forever, he opens it. He builds a real bridge (replacing the rope that broke), leads his little sister across, and welcomes her as the new queen. This is not forgetting Leslie. This is honoring her by doing what she did for him: taking someone who has been overlooked and showing them a world of wonder. The 'rumor' is Jess's imagination coming alive again — proof that Leslie's gift survived her death.

Narration Prompt

Tell someone what Jess does in this chapter from beginning to end. What does he build? Who does he bring? Why does he do it?

Discussion Questions

1. Jess builds a real bridge out of lumber — not a rope swing. The rope swing was exciting and dangerous. The bridge is safe and solid. Why does Jess choose to build a bridge instead of hanging a new rope? What has he learned from what happened to Leslie? What in the story makes you think so?
2. Jess brings Maybelle — his little sister who has annoyed him for most of the book — to be the new queen of Terabithia. In chapter 1, Maybelle was a pest who followed Jess everywhere. Now he puts flowers in her hair and leads her across the bridge. What has changed? Why does Jess choose Maybelle? What in the story makes you think so?

+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide