Tuck Everlasting - Natalie Babbitt

A timeless and thought-provoking novel.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Read the book?
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Book details
  • Author:Natalie Babbitt
  • # of pages: 139
  • Publisher:Farrar, Straus & Giroux
  • Original Publication Date: 01/01/1975
  • Genre: Fiction - Coming of Age
  • Paperback: $5.99
  • Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: Ages 9-12
  • Read Aloud: 8-9
  • Read Alone: 9+

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that the sparkling nature descriptions are great introductions to lyrical prose. The main character uses her ingenuity to rescue a friend from a risky situation. Kids who stick with the novel through the (intentionally) sleepy opening are rewarded with a humorous and moving story, as well as unforgettable descriptions of the natural world.

Families can talk about life, death, and the circle of life. If you could, would you want to live forever? What would you enjoy about immortality? What might be unpleasant? If you were in Winnie's position, what decision would you make?

Message

Social Behavior:

Winnie disobeys her parents when she sneaks out of the house on two occasions.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

One character threatens the Tucks and is killed by a blow to the head with a rifle butt. The Tucks kidnap Winifred. Mae Tuck is threatened with hanging.

Sex

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Amy Brotman

The Tucks have discovered the Fountain of Youth--but is it a blessing or a curse? Ten-year-old Winnie must consider this question even as she is kidnapped, witnesses a murder, and assists in a jailbreak. Along the way, the reader is treated to a richly imagined setting that is every bit as memorable as the story.

Is it any good?

4

This is such a timeless story that kids who miss the context clues--horses used for transportation, a gallows in the town square--might be surprised to discover at the end of the book that it's set in the 1880s. This eternal quality of the novel's setting and, literally, of its characters has helped the novel endure for twenty-five years.

In many ways, the story is a fairy tale, with a magical spring, a kidnapped heroine, an enchanted handsome prince, and even a bittersweet ending. Babbitt's eloquent descriptions of woods, ponds, and animals, though, elevate the novel from mere story to a lyrical meditation on the natural order. The dog days of summer, when the earth cracks and lighting flashes without thunder, are described with exquisite clarity. Cows, fish, and even one of the most memorable toads in children's literature are given personality and respect.

This is a wonderful book to read with children who have experienced the death of an older relative. Winnie's conversation with Angus Tuck about life, death, and the circle of life is a natural jumping-off point for family discussions. Children will also be eager to discuss Winnie's life-or-death decision. One ten-year-old said the book made her cry, but also made her think about her grandfather's death in a different way.

From the Book
If it's really elves, she thought, "I can have a look at them." And, though her instinct was to turn and run, she was pleased to discover that her curiosity was stronger. She began to creep forward. She would go just close enough, she told herself. Just close enough to see. And then she would turn and run.

Other choices

Readers who enjoy Babbitt's blend of gentle fantasy with keen observations of the natural world will like Charlotte's Web. For more of Natalie Babbitt's exquisite prose, try The Eyes of the Amaryllis.

Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 14 reviews.

5


Posted on 11/06/08 by sunflower610 Kid contributor, age 15

Simply Beautiful

I loved this book. Natalie Babbit captures not only life as it was back then, but teh mysterious cycle of life itself. The story is touching, and you will very easily be taken into the world of the Tucks. Just don't get too swept away, because it does eventually have an ending, and a very beautiful one too.
4

Posted on 06/19/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

A great book you won't put down!

I loved the book! I had to read it for my summer reading report and I enjoyed reading it. It's a great, different, enjoyable book you must read!
5


Posted on 04/24/08 by Mikey73 Adult contributor

Great book. Boys and girls will love it.

I teach fith grade and read this to my class each year. Every class has always loved the book, and can't wait till I read the next chapter. Both boys and girls enjoy the book and it sparks much discussion about implications of eternal life. The story is beautifully written with great use of metaphor and simile to create feeling and draw the scene. The book's theme is life and death. The Tucks are a family that has become immortal by unknowingly drinking from a hidden spring. Winnie sees Jesse, the Tuck's son, drinking and takes her away to explain why she should never tell the truth about the spring. That is, if everyone knew about it, it would destroy the meaning life. A man who is trying to steal the spring, to use Winnie, and to share the secret of the spring is killed by a blow to the back of the head with a shotgun stock. The book does not encourage Winnie breaking the law or disobeying her parents, it spend a few pages going over her tribulations about it. Winnie must sacrifice the trust of her parents to save the Tucks from hanging and the world from finding the secret of the water.
5


Posted on 04/17/08 by fe Adult contributor
2


Posted on 12/30/07 by hp pavailion Kid contributor, age 13

It chooked me to see this.

it needs more stuff about the bok and not just about the violince and the sex because that is just to wrong that is what i have to say thnk you for listing to me.
5


Posted on 12/29/07 by DsnyLnkd Adult contributor

Loved the book...

I read this book after I bought if for my 9 year old for Christmas. I was having second thoughts about giving her a book I'd never read. I loved the book. It took me back to when I was 10 (the age of the girl in the book). It was a nice feeling. The book helps you contemplate your own mortality and why we may not want to "live forever". It really helps a person decide how they feel about living forever. On the other hand I was nervous about the young girl sneaking out of her parents house and what message that will send to my daughter. Also, there is a man who dies by a shotgun and talk of the gallows. I'm not sure if my daughter, though well taught, would understand the law back in 1880. Would she understand the setting of the book was back in the 1880's? I was thinking the age appropriateness would be fifth grade. I was glad I read this book and now will be able to talk to my daughter about it when she reads it.
5


Posted on 12/16/07 by mrsthomas Adult contributor

Great Book

This is a classic! Living forever... a curse or a gift. This book helps you decide!
5


Posted on 03/28/07 by C- Man Kid contributor, age 12

A must read book for kids

It had good vocabulary and Voice. Left reader in suspence and showed not telled. People will love this book about living forever verse not.
5


Posted on 02/06/07 by shashi Kid contributor, age 12
3


Posted on 01/29/07 by Kelsea62 Kid contributor, age 11

See all 14 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 7 reviews.

5


Posted on 04/24/08 by Mikey73 Adult contributor

Great book. Boys and girls will love it.

I teach fith grade and read this to my class each year. Every class has always loved the book, and can't wait till I read the next chapter. Both boys and girls enjoy the book and it sparks much discussion about implications of eternal life. The story is beautifully written with great use of metaphor and simile to create feeling and draw the scene. The book's theme is life and death. The Tucks are a family that has become immortal by unknowingly drinking from a hidden spring. Winnie sees Jesse, the Tuck's son, drinking and takes her away to explain why she should never tell the truth about the spring. That is, if everyone knew about it, it would destroy the meaning life. A man who is trying to steal the spring, to use Winnie, and to share the secret of the spring is killed by a blow to the back of the head with a shotgun stock. The book does not encourage Winnie breaking the law or disobeying her parents, it spend a few pages going over her tribulations about it. Winnie must sacrifice the trust of her parents to save the Tucks from hanging and the world from finding the secret of the water.
5


Posted on 04/17/08 by fe Adult contributor
5


Posted on 12/29/07 by DsnyLnkd Adult contributor

Loved the book...

I read this book after I bought if for my 9 year old for Christmas. I was having second thoughts about giving her a book I'd never read. I loved the book. It took me back to when I was 10 (the age of the girl in the book). It was a nice feeling. The book helps you contemplate your own mortality and why we may not want to "live forever". It really helps a person decide how they feel about living forever. On the other hand I was nervous about the young girl sneaking out of her parents house and what message that will send to my daughter. Also, there is a man who dies by a shotgun and talk of the gallows. I'm not sure if my daughter, though well taught, would understand the law back in 1880. Would she understand the setting of the book was back in the 1880's? I was thinking the age appropriateness would be fifth grade. I was glad I read this book and now will be able to talk to my daughter about it when she reads it.
5


Posted on 12/16/07 by mrsthomas Adult contributor

Great Book

This is a classic! Living forever... a curse or a gift. This book helps you decide!
1

Posted on 08/22/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

0

Posted on 12/06/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

5

Posted on 04/27/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

See all 7 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 7 reviews.

5


Posted on 11/06/08 by sunflower610 Kid contributor, age 15

Simply Beautiful

I loved this book. Natalie Babbit captures not only life as it was back then, but teh mysterious cycle of life itself. The story is touching, and you will very easily be taken into the world of the Tucks. Just don't get too swept away, because it does eventually have an ending, and a very beautiful one too.
4

Posted on 06/19/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

A great book you won't put down!

I loved the book! I had to read it for my summer reading report and I enjoyed reading it. It's a great, different, enjoyable book you must read!
2


Posted on 12/30/07 by hp pavailion Kid contributor, age 13

It chooked me to see this.

it needs more stuff about the bok and not just about the violince and the sex because that is just to wrong that is what i have to say thnk you for listing to me.
5


Posted on 03/28/07 by C- Man Kid contributor, age 12

A must read book for kids

It had good vocabulary and Voice. Left reader in suspence and showed not telled. People will love this book about living forever verse not.
5


Posted on 02/06/07 by shashi Kid contributor, age 12
3


Posted on 01/29/07 by Kelsea62 Kid contributor, age 11
5


Posted on 06/10/06 by DreamCatcher68 Kid contributor, age 16

I read this book when I was in 6th grade. It's amazing, and it completely changed the way I thought about life and mortality. Everyone should read this book! There's really nothing objectionable, although it does mention Mr. Tuck trying to commit suicide. Still, everyone needs to read this, and it makes for great discussion.
See all 7 kids reviews >
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