Katherine Paterson book summaries

“It was up to him to pay back to the world in beauty and caring what Leslie had loaned him in vision and strength.”

Jess reflects on his responsibility to honor Leslie's memory after her death.

“Mind your own business, May Belle. You don't know everything.”

Jess tells his younger sister to stop prying into his and Leslie's activities.

“I'm not going to be your friend anymore, Leslie Burke. You're a girl.”

Jess says this to Leslie early in their relationship, before they become close friends.

“You have to believe it, and you hate it. I don't have to believe it, and I think it's beautiful.”

Leslie explains her view of Terabithia to Jess, contrasting their attitudes toward imagination.

“The best day of my life is today, when I met you.”

Jess tells Leslie this after they become friends, expressing his gratitude for her presence in his life.

“I'm not going to let you die, Leslie. I'm not going to let you die.”

Jess says this in his grief after learning of Leslie's death, showing his denial and desperation.