Bridge to Terabithia

This is a book about giving, not just material things but those intangibles like friendship, understanding, encouragement, mercy, courage, things that you might be sensitive enough to perceive that other people need. Jess realises at the tragic end of the book how much he has been given by his new neighbour Leslie, yet another girl in his female-dominated life. She opens his eyes to a far more challenging world when she invents their secret island kingdom of Terabithia, for to be its king Jess must assume the attributes of kingship, and the island rapidly takes on a significance beyond mere children's games. Highly recommended for thoughtful readers, this is a well deserving Newbery Award winner.