600:– Ellie and Brenda Aarons are Jess's two older sisters. They primarily exist as secondary static characters, or characters who do not grow or change as a result of the events of the story. They are never mentioned separately within the novel and are never portrayed in a positive light. From the beginning of the story, they continuasly ask for favors from their mother, and pocket money which she cannot afford to give them. With sufficient whining, they know how to get their way with their parents, as by asking for five dollars to pay for school supplies from their mother by saying that their father promised that they could have the money. Being the elder of the two and the eldest child in the family, Ellie develops most of their ideas. Both have an incredible desire not to have anything to do with Jess specifically. At the climax of the story, when Jess learns of Leslie's death, Brenda is the one who tells him of it. The fact that Brenda is the one who breaks the news to Jesse in the novel only serves to increase the shock. Ellie is played by
286:). Leslie's crush on Jesse is hinted in several scenes, such as her reaction to the gift of Prince Terrien by hugging him. He falls in love with her the last time he sees her, though it could be argued that seeing her wave goodbye to him from afar, Jesse has a sudden foreshadowing of her death. In the wake of Leslie's death, her father reveals to Jesse that Leslie loved him, and that he was the best friend she ever had. Jesse then comes to realize how much he cared for her and that he really did love her, after which he blames himself for her death due to not inviting her to go to the museum with him. He subsequently vents his anger on those around him, which everyone tries to make him forget but only brings him more frustration. At the conclusion of the story, Jesse accepts Leslie's death and builds the bridge of Terabithia, making his sister May Belle the new princess.
586:– May Belle is one of Jesse's younger sisters. She is described as the only one of Jesse's siblings with whom he feels close with. However, because she is six years to Jesse's ten, she does not fit the mould of the ideal confidante to Jesse, leaving him still desperate for companionship. She clearly admires him from the beginning, and like him feels that she does not have a place in the family. She is the first of his sisters to learn about Terabithia, and becomes princess after Leslie dies. She is the only one Jesse allows to enter into his world and the only one who has any sort of empathy for, or acceptance of, Jesse in his family. She is played by
506:
boys, to the irritation of Jesse. Her family had relocated to Lark Creek during summertime at the start of the book, but after starting school she is socially ostracized for her utter tomboyishness, non-conformism to certain standards, and eccentricities. However, she soon gains the friendship of Jesse Aarons and, later, that of the bully Janice Avery, after learning of the girl's abused background.
618:– The school bully at Lark Creek. Janice is rather overweight and tends to become offended when people tease her for being so. She has a crush on Willard Hughes, which Jesse and Leslie use to trick her. Janice's father beats her and she secretly smokes marijuana. She was betrayed by her friends and comforted by a sympathetic Leslie. She is played by
545:
would still love her for it." James Plath asserts, "it's AnnaSophia Robb who really shines. Her character is supposed to be a life-changing life force, one of those clichéd people who can light up the room and change the energy level just by walking into it, and that's how it is. When she's onscreen, there's a special feeling."
653:– A cocky kid. Jess and Gary see each other as bitter rivals; how long this has been the case is unknown. Gary and Jess's rivalry led to Jess's practicing running all summer long, in anticipation of the new school year, when Jess hoped to be the fastest kid in the fifth grade. Both are beaten at this by Leslie. He is played by
517:
Although the bond between Jesse and Leslie intensifies over time, Leslie dies after the rope swing she and Jesse use to access
Terabithia snaps and she drowns in the creek. This leaves her family and only friend devastated, leading to the Burke family's decision to relocate to their former residence
539:
played as Leslie Burke. When asked, "What did you like about it and what did you see in Leslie that you related to?" Robb replied, "I love Leslie's character and the story of friendship and imagination and bullies and giants and trolls and squogers." Robb has received praise from one critic for her
505:
Leslie is depicted as being tomboyish, kind, sweet, friendly, free-spirited, cheerful, daring, strong, intelligent, athletic, and clever. She is gifted with imagination and creativity, and is a fast runner, claiming the position of the fastest racer in the fifth grade, a title normally intended for
270:
Knowing that Jesse loves drawing, Leslie gives him an art set for his birthday. He says, "This must have cost a fortune..." In return, Leslie tells him, "Well, I can take it back and get a cheaper one if you want." Later, to show his appreciation, Jesse gives Leslie a dog which is very nice of him.
513:
and demonstrate great creativity when redecorating their home, but abstain from television. As a sanctuary from the burdens faced in reality, Leslie and Jesse decide to design an imaginary fantasy kingdom that they call
Terabithia, over which they reign as king and queen. They craft a small wooden
544:
did at her age, and seems poised to become one of
Hollywood's next great child actors. Knowing how to portray Leslie's cleverness and uniqueness as inadvertent, incidental, or even unconscious, Robb plays perfectly the exact kind of girl who could always beat all of the boys at sports – and they
667:– Jess and Leslie's 5th grade teacher, who is given the nickname "Monster Mouth Myers" by some due to her being quite strict. She thinks highly of Leslie, but is secretly made fun of by Jess and Leslie. In the 1985 film, she does not make an appearance. In the 2007 film, she is played by
514:
shelter in which to hide when visiting this refuge accessed by a rope swing hanging over a creek. They frequently rely on the comforts of
Terabithia to escape from daily life, adopting a puppy named Prince Terrien (abbreviated as P.T.) to join them on their fictional adventures.
632:– The somewhat unconventional and controversial music teacher, whom Jesse greatly admires. She invites Jess to go to the Smithsonian Museum, which leads Leslie to go to Terabithia by herself. As a result, Leslie is alone when she falls from the rope and drowns. She is played by
640:
in the 2007 film. In the 1985 film, Mrs. Edmunds seems to take the role of Mrs. Myers. She tells Jess the story of a relative dying after Leslie dies instead of Mrs. Myers, and she, instead of Mrs. Myers, gives the homework assignment of watching a show on
526:
In the 1977 book, Leslie went to school the first day wearing a T-shirt and cut-offs. In the 2007 movie, Leslie's clothes were outrageous and colorful, primarily because of the time alteration between the novel and film. She also has on armwarmers.
253:
It comes to being
Christmas time, and Jesse gets Leslie a puppy named P.T. (short for Prince Terrien). Leslie gives Jesse his present: an art set which includes all the colors and different sized brushes. Jesse is shocked but loves the present.
677:– Leslie's parents; novelists who come to the story's location for purposes of their work. Unlike most of the locals, they do not watch television and do not believe that all who ignore or reject Christianity are subject to
518:
prior to Lark Creek. Jesse's little sister May Belle adopts the position as Queen/Princess of
Terabithia after Leslie's sudden and tragic death, ending the novel with the indication that all will be restored.
294:
Regarding the performance, Bill Warren notes that the "kid actors are exceptionally good, particularly Josh
Hutcherson..." Chris Barsanti writes that Hutcherson portrays Aarons "with sullen inattention..."
647:– A puppy that Jess gave Leslie as a Christmas present. He is the guardian and court jester of Terabithia. Leslie's parents take him as they leave the town at the end of the novel.
540:"charming performance." Todd Gilchrist and Christopher Monfette go further with their praise of the performance, writing, "Robb, meanwhile, has the same sort of radiance that
509:
Leslie's parents are portrayed as being carefree and relaxed, but criticized for their hippie lifestyle and dress. They permit their daughter to address them by their
257:
Jesse has an unspoken infatuation with his music teacher, Miss
Edmunds, which is the reason why Jesse does not invite Leslie to the museum with him and Miss Edmunds.
1090:
1010:
983:
The last sentence of the novel,"Shhh, yes. There's a rumor going around that the beautiful girl arriving today might be the queen they've been waiting for."
1080:
798:
242:
after her son's childhood best friend was struck and killed by lightning." In the novel and film adaptations, Jesse Aarons represents her son.
1003:
933:
1054:
976:
1085:
1049:
1044:
374:
365:
235:
227:
107:
98:
41:
37:
738:
843:
721:
772:
735:
Teachers in the Movies: A Filmography of
Depictions of Grade School, Preschool and Day Care Educators, 1890s to the Present
996:
1037:
1020:
214:
31:
826:
474:
751:
594:
in the 2007 film (in which a scene from the book of her in her underwear was changed so she wore pajamas for it)
840:
Canadian
Television Programming Made for the United States Market: A History with Production and Broadcast Data
718:
Canadian Television Programming Made for the United States Market: A History with Production and Broadcast Data
778:
792:
609:
867:
587:
605:
577:
658:
623:
482:
619:
1025:
601:
354:
219:
87:
887:
856:
701:
654:
633:
576:– Jesse's youngest sister. May Belle thinks Joyce Ann is "nothing but a baby". She is played by
668:
972:
223:
988:
818:
303:
927:
937:
802:
637:
541:
536:
478:
370:
283:
279:
231:
103:
274:
Like the book, the film revolves around the dramatic focus of Jesse's relationship with
591:
561:
1074:
458:
201:
447:
312:
275:
190:
907:
554:
497:
after her son's childhood friend Lisa Hill was struck and killed by lightning."
307:
510:
678:
17:
553:
Joel Chaston and M. Sarah Smedman refer to Leslie as "a modern version of
238:. Debbie Elliott reports that "Katherine Paterson was inspired to write
957:(Children's Literature Association and The Scarecrow Press, 2003), 69.
564:, inspired by Leslie's rope swing accident while entering Terabithia.
493:
Debbie Elliott reports that "Katherine Paterson was inspired to write
477:
telefilm. In the 2007 movie, this same role was portrayed by actress
469:
is a fictional character in the award-winning book and movies titled
560:
Leslie Burke is also the title of a song by Austin, Texas pop band
473:. She was portrayed by Canadian actress Julie Beaulieu in the 1985
398:
139:
911:
REVIEW: We cross the bridge to tell you what's on the other side
626:
in the 2007 film. The giant troll in Terabithia is based on her.
306:
draws a comparison, including a possible influence, between the
992:
173:
Jesse Oliver Aarons, Sr. (father, Jack Aarons in the 2007 film)
271:
She names it "Prince Terrien, Troll Hunter Extraordinaire".
29:
list of characters that appear in the 1977 children's novel
282:). He also has a slight crush on Miss Edmunds (played by
967:
Paterson, Katherine; Diamond, Donna (26 December 2006).
955:
Bridges for the Young: The Fiction of Katherine Paterson
454:
440:
428:
420:
412:
404:
394:
386:
381:
360:
350:
342:
334:
329:
197:
183:
169:
161:
153:
145:
135:
127:
119:
114:
93:
83:
75:
67:
62:
681:. They move away after their daughter's death.
1004:
8:
1011:
997:
989:
969:Bridge to Terabithia Movie Tie-in Edition
906:Todd Gilchrist and Christopher Monfette,
696:
694:
177:May Belle and Joyce Ann (younger sisters)
549:Comparison to other fictional characters
299:Comparison to other fictional characters
690:
604:in the 2007 film. Brenda is played by
326:
59:
212:is a fictional character in the book
193:(best friend/love interest, deceased)
71:"Chapter 1: Jesse Oliver Aarons, Jr."
7:
825:(The Rosen Publishing Group, 2004),
702:'Terabithia' Inspired by True Events
1091:Characters in children's literature
953:Joel Chaston and M. Sarah Smedman,
226:. He is played by Julian Coutts in
25:
79:"Chapter 13: Building The Bridge"
1081:Characters in fantasy literature
436:Prince Terrien or P.T. (pet dog)
179:Ellie and Brenda (elder sisters)
535:In the 2007 movie, the actress
316:and the character Jess Aarons.
1:
857:'Terabithia' Inspired by True
450:(best friend/love interest)
346:"Chapter 9: The Evil Spell"
1107:
1032:
338:"Chapter 2: Leslie Burke"
495:The Bridge to Terabithia
245:He is the middle child.
210:Jesse Oliver Aarons, Jr.
123:Jesse Oliver Aarons, Jr.
53:Jesse Oliver Aarons, Jr.
1086:Fantasy film characters
971:. HarperEntertainment.
733:Ann Catherine Paietta,
598:Ellie and Brenda Aarons
382:In-universe information
115:In-universe information
779:Audio Video Revolution
657:in the 1985 film and
636:in the 1985 film and
622:in the 1985 film and
608:in the 1985 film and
590:in the 1985 film and
489:Real life inspiration
416:"Queen of Terabithia"
1038:Bridge to Terabithia
1021:Bridge to Terabithia
929:Bridge to Terabithia
909:Bridge to Terabithia
890:Bridge to Terabithia
877:(21st December 2007)
869:Bridge To Terabithia
795:Bridge to Terabithia
782:(01 September 2007).
773:Bridge to Terabithia
753:Bridge to Terabithia
708:(February 18, 2007).
471:Bridge to Terabithia
240:Bridge to Terabithia
215:Bridge to Terabithia
175:Mary Aarons (mother)
157:"King of Terabithia"
32:Bridge to Terabithia
886:Caroline Hennessy,
842:(McFarland, 2007),
737:(McFarland, 2007),
720:(McFarland, 2007),
675:Bill and Judy Burke
501:Fictional biography
483:Lisa Christina Hill
434:Judy Burke (mother)
432:Bill Burke (father)
324:Fictional character
57:Fictional character
1026:Katherine Paterson
936:2009-01-08 at the
823:Katherine Paterson
801:2009-05-27 at the
761:(August 23, 2006).
481:. She is based on
355:Katherine Paterson
220:Katherine Paterson
88:Katherine Paterson
1068:
1067:
871:, AnnaSophia Robb
838:Marsha Ann Tate,
791:Chris Barsanti, "
700:Debbie Elliott, "
661:in the 2007 film.
612:in the 2007 film.
588:Jennifer Matichuk
580:in the 2007 film.
464:
463:
222:. He is based on
207:
206:
16:(Redirected from
1098:
1013:
1006:
999:
990:
984:
982:
964:
958:
951:
945:
931:(Blu-ray review)
924:
918:
917:(June 13, 2007).
904:
898:
884:
878:
865:
859:
855:Debbie Elliott,
853:
847:
836:
830:
819:Alice B. McGinty
816:
810:
789:
783:
768:
762:
748:
742:
731:
725:
715:
709:
698:
584:May Belle Aarons
574:Joyce Ann Aarons
568:Other characters
444:
364:Julie Beaulieu (
335:First appearance
327:
304:Alice B. McGinty
187:
68:First appearance
60:
21:
1106:
1105:
1101:
1100:
1099:
1097:
1096:
1095:
1071:
1070:
1069:
1064:
1055:Film soundtrack
1028:
1017:
987:
979:
966:
965:
961:
952:
948:
944:(Jun 19, 2007).
938:Wayback Machine
925:
921:
905:
901:
885:
881:
866:
862:
854:
850:
837:
833:
817:
813:
803:Wayback Machine
790:
786:
769:
765:
750:Ryan Parsons, "
749:
745:
732:
728:
716:
712:
699:
692:
688:
638:Zooey Deschanel
634:Annette O'Toole
606:Sharon Holownia
578:Grace Brannigan
570:
551:
542:Natalie Portman
537:AnnaSophia Robb
533:
524:
503:
491:
479:AnnaSophia Robb
442:
435:
433:
371:AnnaSophia Robb
369:
343:Last appearance
325:
322:
301:
292:
284:Zooey Deschanel
280:AnnaSophia Robb
268:
263:
251:
232:Josh Hutcherson
185:
178:
176:
174:
104:Josh Hutcherson
102:
97:Julian Coutts (
76:Last appearance
58:
55:
50:
48:Main characters
36:, and the 1985
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
1104:
1102:
1094:
1093:
1088:
1083:
1073:
1072:
1066:
1065:
1063:
1062:
1057:
1052:
1047:
1042:
1033:
1030:
1029:
1018:
1016:
1015:
1008:
1001:
993:
986:
985:
977:
959:
946:
919:
899:
879:
860:
848:
831:
811:
807:Filmcritic.com
784:
770:Bill Warren, "
763:
743:
726:
710:
689:
687:
684:
683:
682:
672:
662:
659:Elliot Lawless
648:
645:Prince Terrien
642:
627:
624:Lauren Clinton
613:
595:
592:Bailee Madison
581:
569:
566:
562:The Sour Notes
550:
547:
532:
529:
523:
520:
502:
499:
490:
487:
462:
461:
456:
452:
451:
445:
438:
437:
430:
426:
425:
422:
418:
417:
414:
410:
409:
406:
402:
401:
396:
392:
391:
388:
384:
383:
379:
378:
362:
358:
357:
352:
348:
347:
344:
340:
339:
336:
332:
331:
323:
321:
318:
300:
297:
291:
288:
267:
264:
262:
259:
250:
247:
205:
204:
199:
195:
194:
188:
181:
180:
171:
167:
166:
163:
159:
158:
155:
151:
150:
147:
143:
142:
137:
133:
132:
129:
125:
124:
121:
117:
116:
112:
111:
95:
91:
90:
85:
81:
80:
77:
73:
72:
69:
65:
64:
56:
54:
51:
49:
46:
24:
14:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1103:
1092:
1089:
1087:
1084:
1082:
1079:
1078:
1076:
1061:
1058:
1056:
1053:
1051:
1048:
1046:
1043:
1040:
1039:
1035:
1034:
1031:
1027:
1023:
1022:
1014:
1009:
1007:
1002:
1000:
995:
994:
991:
980:
978:0-06-122728-5
974:
970:
963:
960:
956:
950:
947:
943:
939:
935:
932:
930:
926:James Plath,
923:
920:
916:
912:
910:
903:
900:
896:
892:
891:
883:
880:
876:
872:
870:
864:
861:
858:
852:
849:
845:
841:
835:
832:
828:
824:
820:
815:
812:
808:
804:
800:
797:
796:
788:
785:
781:
780:
775:
774:
767:
764:
760:
756:
754:
747:
744:
740:
736:
730:
727:
723:
719:
714:
711:
707:
703:
697:
695:
691:
685:
680:
676:
673:
670:
666:
663:
660:
656:
652:
649:
646:
643:
639:
635:
631:
628:
625:
621:
617:
614:
611:
607:
603:
599:
596:
593:
589:
585:
582:
579:
575:
572:
571:
567:
565:
563:
558:
556:
548:
546:
543:
538:
530:
528:
521:
519:
515:
512:
507:
500:
498:
496:
488:
486:
484:
480:
476:
472:
468:
460:
457:
453:
449:
446:
439:
431:
427:
423:
419:
415:
411:
407:
403:
400:
397:
393:
389:
385:
380:
376:
372:
367:
363:
359:
356:
353:
349:
345:
341:
337:
333:
328:
319:
317:
315:
314:
310:character of
309:
305:
298:
296:
289:
287:
285:
281:
277:
272:
265:
260:
258:
255:
248:
246:
243:
241:
237:
236:the 2007 film
233:
229:
228:the 1985 film
225:
221:
217:
216:
211:
203:
200:
196:
192:
189:
182:
172:
168:
164:
160:
156:
152:
148:
144:
141:
138:
134:
130:
126:
122:
118:
113:
109:
105:
100:
96:
92:
89:
86:
82:
78:
74:
70:
66:
61:
52:
47:
45:
43:
39:
35:
34:
33:
19:
1059:
1045:1985 TV film
1041:(1977 novel)
1036:
1019:
968:
962:
954:
949:
941:
928:
922:
914:
908:
902:
894:
889:
882:
874:
868:
863:
851:
839:
834:
822:
814:
806:
794:
787:
777:
771:
766:
758:
752:
746:
734:
729:
717:
713:
705:
674:
664:
651:Gary Fulcher
650:
644:
630:Miss Edmunds
629:
620:Bridget Ryan
616:Janice Avery
615:
597:
583:
573:
559:
552:
534:
531:In 2007 film
525:
516:
508:
504:
494:
492:
470:
467:Leslie Burke
466:
465:
448:Jesse Aarons
441:Significant
361:Portrayed by
330:Leslie Burke
320:Leslie Burke
313:The Yearling
311:
302:
293:
276:Leslie Burke
273:
269:
256:
252:
244:
239:
213:
209:
208:
191:Leslie Burke
184:Significant
94:Portrayed by
63:Jesse Aarons
44:adaptation.
30:
28:
26:
18:Leslie Burke
942:DVDTown.com
641:television.
602:Emma Fenton
555:Mary Lennox
511:given names
455:Nationality
308:Jody Baxter
278:(played by
198:Nationality
1075:Categories
1060:Characters
888:Review of
793:Review of
755:One-Sheet?
686:References
665:Mrs. Myers
655:Tyler Popp
610:Devon Wood
421:Occupation
351:Created by
162:Occupation
84:Created by
27:This is a
1050:2007 film
875:LondonNet
679:damnation
669:Jen Wolfe
375:2007 film
366:1985 film
290:Reception
266:Depiction
261:2007 film
249:1977 book
120:Full name
108:2007 film
99:1985 film
40:and 2007
934:Archived
799:Archived
459:American
202:American
128:Nickname
38:telefilm
897:(2008).
809:(2007).
522:Fashion
424:Student
395:Species
230:and by
224:her son
165:Student
136:Species
975:
759:CanMag
429:Family
408:Female
405:Gender
170:Family
146:Gender
757:" on
443:other
413:Title
399:Human
387:Alias
186:other
154:Title
140:Human
973:ISBN
149:Male
131:Jess
42:film
1024:by
915:IGN
895:RTÉ
844:142
805:,"
776:,"
722:142
706:NPR
704:,"
557:."
475:PBS
390:kid
234:in
218:by
1077::
940:,
913:,
893:,
873:,
827:24
821:,
739:33
693:^
485:.
1012:e
1005:t
998:v
981:.
846:.
829:.
741:.
724:.
671:.
377:)
373:(
368:)
110:)
106:(
101:)
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.