Fantasy/adventure tale about two children who invent a secret world. Bullied at school, and with worries at home, young Jesse Aaron (Josh Hutcherson) sets his heart on being the fastest runner in the 5th grade. When the day of the race finally arrives however, his dream is shattered when new girl in school, Leslie Burke (Anna Sophia Robb), beats him to the tape. Despite this initial setback, the pair soon realise they have a lot in common, and a friendship develops. Discovering that they both share creative talents, (Jesse loves to draw, while Leslie is a keen storyteller), they invent the magical kingdom of Terabithia, a fantasy world reached by swinging on a rope over a stream near their homes. Once inside Terabithia, they become the rulers of all they see, embarking on magical adventures, fighting evil, and learning how to triumph over bullies.