Jesse Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) trained all summer to become the fastest runner in school, so he's very upset when newcomer Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb) outruns him and everyone else. Despite this and other differences, including that she's rich, he's poor, and she's a city girl, he's a country boy, the two become fast friends. Together, they create Terabithia, a land of monsters, trolls, ogres, and giants and rule as king and queen.