Leslie Dies On The Rope Swing On Her Way To Terabithia.
The Story Is Based On A Real Event In Author Katherine Paterson’s Life
One Saturday, Jess goes on an impromptu field trip with his music teacher and crush Ms. Edmunds (Zooey Deschanel) to an art museum without inviting Leslie along. He comes home to find out that Leslie has drowned after their rope swing broke while she was trying to cross the rain-swollen creek to get to Terabithia. Interestingly, the Bridge To Terabithia death happens off-screen, but it’s more impactful and surprising for it. Witnessing Jess’s grief and guilt over not being there for his friend makes it all the more heartbreaking.
What makes Leslie’s death even more devastating is that it’s based on a real-life tragedy. Katherine Paterson’s book is based on her son David’s childhood best friend, who died after being struck by lightning when they were just eight years old. As tragic as Bridge To Terabithia’s death is, both the book and film have been cited as useful tools in helping children deal with death and grief.
