“My kids love going to the movies, and aside from what Pixar is doing or the Narnia flicks there’s not a whole lot out there that’s entertaining for the whole family,” O’Donnell adds. “So it was a pleasure to be a part of something family-oriented with a message.”

Ormond, a wife and mother to a daughter says Kit’s story was not only inspiring, but replete with modern-day takeaway value. “It’s really a story of discovery about what people in America went through—how people as a population faced hardship and social stigma,” Ormond shares. “This is a family that starts off pretty sound economically. And as a child who has no real awareness of social issues, she’s eventually introduced to people from a social class that she wouldn’t normally have encountered. And instead of coming at it with prejudice, she comes at it with a lot of heart.”

At the center of the story is the aforementioned hobo community, particularly two young orphans who Kit meets:  Will Shepherd and Countee, played by Max Thieriot (The Astronaut Farmer, Jumper) and actor Will Smith’s (I Am Legend, Independence Day) daughter Willow. With a will-work-for-food mantra and strong survival instincts, Kit finds the perfect inspiration for one of her research pieces and two great friends in the process. And when her friends are falsely accused of stealing valuables later on, Kit gets to put her natural curiosity and sleuthing skills to good use—which inevitably teaches the townspeople a few things about stereotypes.

“Kids will instantly love the mystery of it,” Tucci says. “It’s a wonderful story to be told through a child’s eyes. The story is always pertinent because there’s always poverty no matter how wealthy a country we are. The moral is that everybody pitches in together and does what they have to help each other as a community to get through the tough times.”

Looking Ahead

After making the promotional rounds for Kit, Breslin is looking forward to some downtime, having just wrapped the drama My Sister’s Keeper with Cameron Diaz (What Happens in Vegas, In Her Shoes) and Alec Baldwin (TV’s 30 Rock, The Good Shepherd). After a quick jaunt to Prince Edward Island, Breslin is looking forward to those fun sleepovers. And finding her missing iPod.

But before long, Breslin will be more than ready to return to movies. “I’ve had fun on every single movie I’ve been part of,” she says. “I definitely want to work with everyone I’ve worked with before again. And Meryl Streep. I really like Meryl Streep.”

Of course everyone likes Meryl Streep, and if Breslin continues in her success, she’s got a great shot at being the next Meryl Streep. Or so says her Kit co-star. “Abigail is as mature as any adult actor I’ve ever worked with,” O’Donnell says. “So it was a fantastic opportunity getting to play her dad. I think she’ll be in the business for a good long time.”

Not a bad lot for a girl as charming as your neighbor kid!
  


Starring Abigail Breslin, Stanley Tucci, Joan Cusack, Chris O'Donnell and Julia Ormond, Kit Kittredge:  An American Girl hits theaters in select cities (NY, LA, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas) on June 20, 2008.  The film releases wide on July 2, 2008. 

Check back for our full movie review on July 2.