Since AnnaSophia Robb's first role just three years ago, she's shared scenes with a dog in Because of Winn-Dixie, and amused audiences as gum-loving Violet in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Now, in this 13-year-old's most impressive role yet, she plays an inspiring best bud and queen of a magical kingdom in Bridge to Terabithia. How is AnnaSophia—who returns to her home in Denver after every film—dealing with the challenges of being a rapidly rising star? She gave us a call from a movie set—in Canada!—to give us the scoop.

How has your life changed since you've become an actress?

Oh, well…a lot! I haven't been home nearly as much. I did homeschooling for a while but decided it wasn't for me, so I went back to my old school. I still do films—my school just sends me the work to do when I'm away.

Do kids treat you differently when you return to school?

I've been there for almost seven years now, so they've really adjusted. They all know me, and they know that I'm not some stuck-up little snob—at least I hope! I hope!

Do you feel a responsibility to act extra nice at school since you're a star?

I just act like myself. It doesn't really occur to me to act differently. But since I know that some kids could get jealous of my career, I am especially kind to those people so they won't have trouble accepting me.

What do you find special about the friendship between your character, Leslie, and Jess (Josh Hutcherson) in Bridge to Terabithia?

At first, Jess doesn't totally accept Leslie but Leslie perseveres— she really wants to be his friend. I like the way Leslie gives Jess courage—she isn't afraid to try anything. I also think it's important that it's a boy-girl relationship. A lot of kids my age don't totally understand that a girl and a guy can just be friends—that it doesn't have to be a "boyfriend and girlfriend" sort of thing. You should be able to have fun with people you enjoy, whether they're guys or girls!

What did you bring to the film from your own experience?

I try to keep in mind that nobody is bad straight through. There's always a reason why someone is mean. It could be that somebody is being mean to them, like an older brother or sister, or even a parent. So if someone is mean to you, you just have to step back and look at the big picture and wonder how you're going to help that person, which is what my character does in the movie.

Do you think that's one of the movie's messages?

Yes, and also that you're never too old to fantasize!

What role does fantasy play in your life?

Kids should have a place where they can escape the real world. Maybe it's a journal or a diary—somewhere they can jot down their problems. When things really bother me, I put them down in a notebook and then I can sort of let go of the bad stuff. So all of my emotions go down on paper instead of staying in my head!

How do you amuse yourself when you're on location?

I usually travel in my downtime. We filmed Bridge to Terabithia in New Zealand and it was gorgeous! And I had a great time with the kids on set because they were all around my age. We played a lot of sports, like football and baseball.

What have you learned from being in the acting business?

Acting has to be what you love to do or it's no fun at all! And someone once told me that if you want to read all the good things in the magazines about you while you're going up the ladder, then you have to be ready to read all the bad stuff going down the ladder. So I'm always aware that everything could backfire—that there might be somebody new and that I might not always get the roles. You just have to go with it!

Speaking of rejection, one of our Discovery Girls, Taylor Dooley, once wrote an essay for DG about auditioning for roles with one of her friends—you—and then losing those roles to you! How would you have felt about being in that situation?

I totally understand Taylor's point of view! We still keep in touch and she is so kind! I definitely think that I would get jealous—totally! Sometimes there are roles that I don't get, but that's just how things go. There might come a time when I don't get any work, and I'll definitely want to have another thing to do if that happens. I know this career doesn't always last. I want to go to college and still maintain my friendships and relationships with my family. I've been incredibly lucky and—right now—I'm doing all right.

Don't miss AnnaSophia in Bridge to Terabithia, on DVD in June.