Tuck Everlasting

 Review

Common Sense Media says

A timeless and thought-provoking novel.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What 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.

  • An eloquent lesson on mortality wrapped tightly in lyrical prose.
  • Winnie disobeys her parents when she sneaks out of the house on two occasions, but she is still a good character.
  • 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.
  • Not applicable.

What's the story?

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?

 

This is such a timeless story that kids who miss the context clues might be surprised to discover at the end of the book that it's set in the 1880s. 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.

This is a wonderful book to read with children who have experienced the death of an older relative. Children will be eager to discuss Winnie's life-or-death decision.


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What families can talk about

  • 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?


This review was written by Norah Caroline Piehl
Kid, 13 years old
November 20, 2011
 
dum
this book suck

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Kid, 10 years old
October 29, 2011
 
Tuck Everlasting
It is a very cool and interesting book!!

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Teen, 16 years old
September 27, 2011
 
the sad but really enjoyable book!!!
i am reading this book n my english book and it it a romance novel but it can be for kids 11 and up i am not done reading the book but so far i love the book and it is deppressing that winnie dies at the end she is only 10 yrs old and is a really nice kid!!!&

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Teen, 14 years old
January 23, 2010
 
I love this book!
I love this book for any reasons.First a have a crush on the boy that is 17.But secondley I love the ending it is gorgeous.

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Kid, 13 years old
February 14, 2011
 
i like this book did not hate it did not love it. This bbok satistfied my mined with all the adventures we read it as a group so the hard words stood out that is why i aged it for 10 to 12 because the vocabulary was hard one word that was hard that i remeber was preputal.

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Parent of 3 year old
June 20, 2010
 

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Kid, 12 years old
May 1, 2011
 
i love it kids will 2 im a fifth grader and i love it and so does my mom!!!!!!

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Teen, 14 years old
March 7, 2010
 
Great Message
It's amazing!! I really like the message, it tells that not living forever is a good thing.

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Kid, 13 years old
July 3, 2011
 
forgetable
way to short we read it in my 6th grade english class i wish the romance between winnie and jesse was inhanced and wish the ending was diffrent all in all i wish it was longer

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Teen, 15 years old
May 7, 2010
 
Wasn't the best.
I didn't like it nor hate it. I just think that it was too short. You don't really get to know the characters, you don't spend enough time with them. She's only there for what, one night, and then the story pretty much ends? The plot just never went anywhere.

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This review was written by Norah Caroline Piehl
Author:Natalie Babbitt
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Coming of Age
Publication date:January 1, 1975
Number of pages:139
Paperback price:$5.99
Publisher's recommended age(s):9 - 12

This review was written by Norah Caroline Piehl
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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