If you were moved by Jess and Leslie’s evolving friendship and the way it helped Jess navigate grief and loneliness in Bridge to Terabithia, you'll find Because of Winn-Dixie equally heartfelt. Opal, a lonely girl in a new town, finds solace and community through her bond with a stray dog. Like Jess, Opal grows and changes as her connections deepen, and you’ll enjoy watching her confront pain and discover hope.

If you loved how Jess and Leslie built the magical world of Terabithia as a safe escape and place for self-discovery, you’ll be enchanted by The Secret Garden. Mary Lennox and her friends bring a long-abandoned garden back to life, turning it into a sanctuary just as Jess and Leslie did with their forest kingdom. The sense of wonder, creativity, and healing is beautifully similar.

If the emotional impact and raw honesty of Bridge to Terabithia resonated with you, A Monster Calls will speak to your heart. Conor, a boy coping with his mother’s illness, is visited by a monster who helps him face truths he’s been avoiding. Like Jess, Conor’s journey is deeply moving and delivers a powerful emotional payoff that stays with you long after the final page.

If you were drawn to Jess’s growth from innocence to maturity in Bridge to Terabithia, you’ll appreciate Sal’s journey in Walk Two Moons. Sal embarks on a road trip with her grandparents while processing her mother’s disappearance and forming bonds with new friends. The way both characters grapple with loss and discover inner strength makes this a perfect next read.

If you found Leslie and Jess’s creation of Terabithia—a secret world that helps them face their real-life struggles—compelling, you’ll be fascinated by Coraline’s adventure. When Coraline discovers a hidden, magical world, she must use her wits and bravery to confront both external dangers and her own anxieties. This blend of fantasy and reality will appeal to your love of low fantasy with emotional depth.