Sarah Bolger is just your ordinary star

Sarah Bolger seems like an ordinary 16-year-old girl.

She loves listening to music, anything from Linkin Park to Carrie Underwood. She is a big Jane Austen fan, and she can't wait until she gets her driver's license.

Except, she is anything but normal. At only 16, she is a leading actress.

"I enjoy [acting] so much," Bolger said during a recent phone interview. " My life has been a roller coaster, and I appreciate each moment."

Born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1991, Bolger has already had an impressive career and earned critical acclaim in films such as "In America" and television dramas like "Stardust."

Now Bolger is taking on the role of her life as Mallory Grace in "The Spiderwick Chronicles."

Based on a series of novels of the same name, the five books have been devoured by more than 4 million frenzied fans.

She understands the books' appeal: "I think they are great fun. These are real characters. Real children, everyday New Yorkers. They react how anyone would."

Bolger is like fresh air, an antithesis of the problem-ridden girls of Hollywood. Perhaps it is because she lives in Ireland, but Bolger radiates an energy and an aura of friendliness. This is a girl who you would want as a best friend.

Here's what she had to say about "Spiderwick" and . . . going into space.

Q: What attracted you to "Spiderwick"?

A: I read the books about a year before I knew it was going to be made into a feature film. When I read the script, I thought it was fantastic. There is a strong family bond. We get to see a normal family trying to survive a wacky world.

Q: Are there similarities between you and Mallory Grace?

A: I think so. Mallory is a strong, confident and feisty girl, but I am more shy. . . . I should have "indecisive" stamped across my forehead.

Q: You were very convincing in your action sequences. Did you have to train for the fight scenes, given that your character is a master fencer?

A: Definitely. I did five weeks of intense training for it. Three straight weeks in Montreal with the Olympic Canadian fencing coach. I learned the commands in French, so I have no idea what they mean in English.

Q: What's been your most challenging role so far?

A: I think "Spiderwick" was really challenging. Working with the [computer-generated imagery] characters was crazy. The tennis ball ended up being my best friend. It was the first time I had ever done anything like that.

Q: There have been rumors about you on the Internet. How do you manage to keep yourself centered despite the fame?

A: It is a crazy thing. My mother tells me about some of the things that have been written about me. I can tell you they are completely untrue. I don't read them. I don't even read reviews. I live in Ireland. You just have to be normal and try to live a normal life.

Q: When did you first know you wanted to be an actress?

A: I think it was when I was 6. I did a school play of "The Wizard of Oz." I got the main part of Dorothy, and I really got into it. I learned everyone's lines and learned I loved performing. After [the 2003 movie] "In America," I got a taste of the business.

Q: If you could no longer act, what would you do for an occupation?

A: People always ask me that question, but my heart is set on acting. . . . I have always wanted to go into space. So, maybe, an astronaut? I am doubting it somehow. I think I am more likely to go into space on a blue screen.

Q: Why should people see "Spiderwick"?

A: Well, first off, you should see it on the big screen at the cinema because the visual effects are fantastic. When we were shooting it, we didn't see anything. It was all on blue screen. I have seen the film three times, and I haven't blinked once. It is fantastic.

Q: Are there plans for a cinematic sequel to the first "The Spiderwick Chronicles"? If so, would you return?

A: I really hope so. There are five books, but four of them got condensed into this movie. We only have one more book to go off of. I hope there will be a sequel. If there is one, I will make sure Mallory will be in it. *