Bridge to Terabithia is a children's novel that tells the story of young neighbors Jesse Aarons and Leslie Burke, two lonely children who become close friends. While playing in the woods they form the imaginary kingdom of Terabithia, a place where they can escape from the troubles of their everyday lives. When Leslie unexpectedly dies, Jesse must learn how to cope with her loss in this story which touches on themes of friendship, identity, and the magic of childhood.
Short Stories is a selection of early 19th century short fiction that explores the author's native New Zealand. The stories deal with different aspects of colonial and modern life, including prejudice against the Maori people, the alienation of rural life, and the immediacy of youth. The theme of homosexuality is also touched upon, and many of the stories in the collection contain lushly sensory descriptions of both places and emotions.