All children can relate in some way to Katherine Paterson's Newbery Medal-winning children's novel Bridge to Terabithia. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Jess and Leslie, the main characters in the book, go through many life-changing circumstances, such as becoming best friends and then having to let go of that friendship. Three topics that transform Jess and Leslie into more mature people are competition, friendship, and acceptance. Jess Aarons is ten years old and grows up in a house where he is the only boy with four sisters. He lives in a small town and has trouble finding ways to have fun. His greatest hope is to become the fastest runner in fifth grade. It is very important that Jess wins: “Jesse won once last year. Not just the first run, but the whole thing. Just once. But he had put the taste of winning in his mouth” (Paterson 4). It was so important for Jess to win because she needed the respect of her peers and her family. Jess’ main interest in life was drawing and no one seemed to understand his passion: “Ever since he was in first grade he had been that “crazy kid who draws all the time” (Paterson 4). Jess needed something in his life to make him feel normal. Being the fastest kid in fifth grade made him feel like a star. He was sure that this year would be the fastest. On the first day of school, he gets beat by the new girl, Leslie Burke: “He felt it before he saw it. Someone was approaching. He automatically pumped harder. Then the shape was there in his side view. Then suddenly pulling forward… The faded cuts cut the line a good three feet in front of him” (Paterson 27). Jess wasn't going to be the fastest runner in fifth grade this year. The fact that Leslie had run the race shocked all the boys on the playground: “There was no cheering at either end of the field. The rest of the kids seemed as stunned as he was” (Paterson 27) After the race Leslie tries to befriend Jess. He is still embarrassed that she hit him and didn't feel comfortable being friends with a girl. Jess tries hard to ignore Leslie and not become her friend: “Jess turned her eyes and met Leslie's eyes. He smiled at her. What the hell? There was no reason why he couldn't. What was he afraid of anyway?” (Paterson 31). Jess realized that he really liked Leslie and it didn't matter that she was a girl, or that she beat him by running. He liked it because it reminded Jess of her more exciting side. They soon become inseparable. Leslie and Jess are complete opposites. Jess has many fears and Leslie seems fearless. Leslie has imagination and inspiration, and Jess envies him. Leslie's family has money and gets along well. Jess' family is always striving for success and is almost dysfunctional. But despite this, they become best friends. In the woods they create Terabithia, their secret kingdom where they rule together. Their friendship filled the gaps in their lives. They began to need each other: “Jess tried to go to Terabithia alone, but it was no use. Leslie was needed to do the magic. He was afraid of destroying everything by trying to force the magic on his own, when it was clear that the magic was reluctant to come and get him. "(Paterson 65) Jess depended on Leslie to create magic in Terabithia. He didn't have enough faith in his own imagination to believe that he was capable of making magic on his own. During a period of heavy rain, Jess and Leslie go to Terabithia and Leslie says, “I think some evil being has put a curse on our beloved.