IML: What do you hope young audiences will take away from seeing Bridge to Terabithia?

AnnaSophia: Well, I think there are so many good messages in the film. About being a good friend and keeping your mind open. That it’s okay to play pretend even when you get a little bit older. Just to use your imagination and stay outside and also, that boys and girls can be friends. The story also talks a little bit about bullying and what bullies do, that they have problems of their own and sometimes they bully out of insecurity. So it just touched on a lot of things.

IML: Was there a particular part of the story that had special meaning for you?

AnnaSophia: I think the imagination thing was a big deal for me. Because when I was younger, I used to play pretend ALL the time. I had my tree fort, I had my Barbies, I played with my friends, all sorts of cool stuff. As I started to get a little older, like when I was 12, I was like, “I can’t play pretend anymore, that’s for little kids.” But Leslie (my character in Terabithia) taught me that it’s okay to use your imagination and still do those kinds of things. I use my imagination every day, just kind of daydreaming. Plus, in acting I have to play pretend all the time!

IML: You play a lot of strong characters. What do you think it means for a girl to be strong?

AnnaSophia: I think it’s really important to be yourself and do what you believe in and just have a good time. I mean, it’s good for women to be strong. We don’t have to “kiss up” to guys. To get a guy’s attention, you don’t have to be all flirtatious, because hopefully the right person will like you just for who you are.

IML: I understand that you and Josh Hutcherson have become good friends. How is it different being friends with a guy than with a girl?

AnnaSophia: I don’t think you can talk as much with a guy as you can with a girl, you know? With a girlfriend you can talk about guys, but with guys you can’t really talk about guys. But they can be really good friends, Josh and I are great friends, we talk about all kinds of stuff. Just having fun with them, I think it also prepares you for when you get older. My mom has all sorts of friends who are guys, but she’s just friends with them. In the adult world it’s totally normal. They become less mysterious.

IML: If you could be in another movie that was based on a book, what would it be?

AnnaSophia: Probably “A Summer of Kings.” I’ve optioned the rights to that book! And also, “Bloody Jack.” Because they’re great stories and really fun characters. “A Summer of Kings” is just a beautifully told story with a lot of good lessons and a good character.

IML: We hear you’re very committed to volunteer work and trying to “change the world.” Can you tell us a little more about that?

AnnaSophia: One of the projects I’m involved with right now is Darfur and all the atrocities that are going on there. I started a fundraiser with my class to raise money for a well in eastern Chad. I just find it so sad what’s going on there with the genocide. I’m also doing work with the Dalit freedom network. The Dalits are basically the untouchables, the lowest class in India. It’s terrible, what’s happening to them because they’re not treated like real people.

IML: That’s heavy stuff!

AnnaSophia: It is, but nowadays in order to understand what’s going on in the world and get into it and help out, be a volunteer. Because you shouldn’t wait for adults to do that stuff. You’re going to be an adult one day, and you’re the difference!

IML: What’s your advice for kids who want to make a difference but don’t know where to start?

AnnaSophia: You can go onto my Web site www.annasophiarobb.com, where I’ve listed some good organizations to get involved with. You can also get information online at your local news station Web sites. Say they talk about the environment in a news story-- I believe in helping the environment and recycling -- they will probably have links to organizations near you that you can get involved with. Try out starting to recycle and getting your school to recycle. I’m trying to get my school to recycle because we use so much paper and throw away stuff and cans and bottles. You can find it all over the place. Even in the newspaper, you just have to keep your eyes open. Everybody has to start somewhere! Even the little stuff helps. You may think you’re not doing a lot, but I’m telling you, the people in Africa, that’s huge for them. They don’t have anything. Anything helps. And just to know that someone oceans away is thinking about them and wants to make their life better, that gives them hope.

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