About the title
Fifth-grader Jess Aarons' hopes of becoming the fastest runner in his class are dashed when newcomer Leslie Burke wins the race. Jess and Leslie have more than enough reasons to be at odds with each other, yet a friendship grows between them. How could they not become friends, when they get to be king and queen of a magical kingdom they discover in the woods? A screen adaptation of the novel by Katherine Paterson.