Bridge to Terabithia — Chapter 3

About This Passage

This passage captures the moment Terabithia is conceived — born from Leslie's imagination and Jess's need. The phrase 'her words stood inside of him' is extraordinary: words do not usually 'stand' — they pass through or fade. These words take up residence, becoming permanent fixtures in Jess's interior world. His response ('he'd like to be a ruler of something, even something that wasn't real') reveals how deeply powerless he feels in his actual life. The passage models how collaborative imagination begins: one person proposes, the other recognizes a need they did not know they had.

Narration Prompt

In your own words, tell the story of this chapter. What were the most important moments? What made them important — and how do you know?

Discussion Questions

1. When Leslie proposes creating a secret country, Jess thinks: 'he'd like to be a ruler of something, even something that wasn't real.' In chapters 1 and 2, Jess wanted to be the fastest runner — a real achievement in the real world. Now he is willing to accept an imaginary kingdom. Has Jess lowered his ambitions, or has he discovered that imagination can give him something reality cannot? What evidence from all three chapters supports your answer?
2. During music class, the whole class sings 'Free to Be You and Me,' and Jess and Leslie's eyes meet. This is the first time Jess smiles at Leslie. In chapter 2, he ignored her and sat away from her on the bus. What made music class the right moment for their connection to begin — was it the song, Miss Edmunds's influence, or something else? What in the chapter makes you think so?

+ 3 more questions in the complete study guide