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. Natalie Babbitt's eloquent descriptions of woods, ponds, and animals 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. The plot engrossing and the images and themes can last in the reader's mind for a very long time throughout the whole book. a.p.

I thought it was a very good book because you never new what was going to happen. I would think something and then I would read the next page and it was totally different from what I thought.

As a teacher, I would recommend parents and teachers read this beautiful albeit a tidbit disturbing story with their children or students. Babbitt's use of figurative language is breathtaking. This book would be perfect used in a writer's workshop context. Discussion possibilities about life for both parents and teachers are endless.

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.

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.

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

it's really nice.... and the author describes it expertly (is that a word?) overall i think it's a touching book with a nice ending i actually cried when tuck read that winnie died

i think you should read this book because it inspirers young reader.

I had to read this for language arts. I kept fighting sleep while listening. I thought it was a nice story, just really short. It was just a little bit boring. I might be watching the movie next week.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.