Bridge to Terabithia, Chapters 1, Grades 7

As we begin reading 'Bridge to Terabithia' by Katherine Paterson, we'll explore the characters, setting, and key events of the first few chapters. Please answer the following questions based on your reading. Your responses should be a few sentences long and provide evidence or details from the text where possible.

Who are the main characters introduced in Chapter 1, and what can you tell about them from their actions or dialogue?

Describe the setting of the story as introduced in Chapter 1. How does the setting affect the mood of the story?

What challenges does Jess face in the first chapter, and how do they affect his character?

Analyze the significance of the race that Jess is preparing for. How does this event contribute to the development of the plot or characters?

Based on Chapter 1, what themes or central ideas begin to emerge? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.