Jesse, alienated from the pragmatism of his family and rural Virginian culture, draws and dreams of becoming something special. Leslie, the new girl from the city and the ultimate outsider, opens a world of imagination, art, and literature for him. Together they create Terabithia, a fantasy kingdom where they are safe from those who don't understand them. Their friendship grows as Jesse's world expands. When tragedy strikes, the strength gained in Terabithia takes Jesse forward on his own and lets him share the magic of his dreams.