Yes, I think you get it. I found the book so unreadable because it's told through the young boy and Paterson makes his family so despicable. And of course, they are church goers, while Leslie's "cool" parents are former urbanites who are now living and writing in rural Virginia. There's a green place in their Terebithia where they go to be thankful. I hadn't thought about the Christ metaphor, but I think you're onto something.
I'm taking a course this semester in Young Adult Lit and I've been appalled at what I've read so far. Mostly. Although I really liked Holes by Louis Sachar. After what I've been reading, I think I'd read anything first before my child read it. Fortunately, mine is about ready to graduate from college now.
Hey, there's always Tom Swift and Doc Savage.