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My 11-year-old daughter recently talked me into watching a movie instead of taking my usual nap before going to my 3rd shift job. Little did I know that The Bridge to Terabithia would turn out to be one of the best movies I've ever seen.

The Bridge to Terabithia, based on the bestselling novel written by Katherine Paterson, is the story of two socially outcast preteens, Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb), a girl with an imaginative flair, and Jesse Aarons (Josh Hutcherson), a boy with artistic talent, who start out to be rivals of sorts after an impromptu foot race at their school. The jacket to this rental movie described these two kids as 11-year-old fifth-graders. This came as a surprise to me, for I would have guessed the characters to be 12 or 13. Jesse has an innocent crush on Ms. Edmonds, an attractive twentysomething music teacher. Leslie embarrasses Jesse as he admires the teacher by asking, "Why don't you take a picture? It lasts longer."

In a short time, the children discover that they are neighbors. Slowly but surely, they become friends and begin to hang out with each other. Leslie graciously offers her old Barbie dolls to May Belle, Jesse's younger sister. As the plot develops, the two preteens, now the best of buddies, have fashioned an imaginary land called Terabithia located across a stream accessible only by swinging from an old, long, suspended rope. An abandoned, run-down tree house and magically transformed creatures alien to our world serve as the backdrop to this creation of fantasy. Leslie and Jesse travel to Terabithia often to escape the trials and tribulations of school and the ongoing harassment from their peers.

A tragic and sobering turn of events reminds viewers that no matter how much one may wish for it, life is not always fanciful and care-free.

As previously noted, the two preteens were best friends. I for one was led to believe that the bond the characters shared traversed these boundaries into the realm of an innocent love of school-age sweethearts; a love free of the complex attributes that define adult relationships. As I watched Jesse and Leslie on screen, I fondly recalled a girl I once knew as a fifth-grader. She used to call me names. She would stick her tongue out at me, and then giggle. And you know what? I loved every minute of it.

I highly recommend this movie; The Bridge to Terabithia. It's a wonderful film for every member of the family and an excellent portrayal of the world as seen by those who approach the dawn of adolescence.

Learn more about this author, Patrick Sills.
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