Jess Aarons wants to be the fastest boy in the class, but when Leslie Burke moves into the neighboring farm his life changes forever. Even though she runs faster than him, Jess thinks Leslie is all right – she’s clever, funny, and has good ideas. It is Leslie who invents Terabithia, the secret magical kingdom on an island across the creek where Jesse can escape his troublesome family. But one day tragedy strikes and Jesse needs to find the courage to overcome his fears.