 Jesse Aaron s biggest dream is to be the fastest runner in 5th grade. But on the first day of school, a new girl in Jesse s class called Leslie Burke overruns every boy, including Jesse. Then, surprisingly, Jesse and Leslie become best friends. And together, they create a secret kingdom, called Terabithia, on a dry creek bed with an old crab apple tree. But one day, tragedy strikes. A touching story of friendship. Is the winner of the 1978 Newbery Medal (an award for books).