Bridge to Terabithia — Chapter 7

About This Passage

Jess, Leslie, and the little girls sing in the back of a pickup truck on the way to Easter church. The wind takes their voices and makes the music 'mysterious' — transforming a simple act of singing into something that feels powerful and vast. Paterson shows how ordinary moments (riding in a truck, singing songs) can become transcendent when shared with the right people. The passage connects Leslie's presence to Jess's sense of power, continuing the pattern from Terabithia.

Narration Prompt

Tell someone what happened in this chapter in order. When you get to the most important part, slow down and tell it carefully — what happened, why it mattered, and what you think about it.

Discussion Questions

1. Leslie comes to Easter church even though her family does not go to church. She dresses up carefully and says 'yes'm' to Jess's mother. Why does Leslie try so hard to fit in with Jess's family's traditions, when at school she does not try to fit in at all? What in the story makes you think so?
2. After hearing the Easter story about Jesus dying and coming back to life, Leslie says 'That whole story is really something.' She is moved by the story even though she does not believe in the Bible the way Jess's family does. Can a story be powerful and important to someone even if they do not believe it is true? What in the story makes you think so?

+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide