Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Lenore

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt poses the question if you could choose to live forever, would you really do it? The book begins with Winnie Foster, who is nearly 11 years old sneaking off in the woods near her house to get away from her uptight family for a day. Thats when she meets the Tuck family who tell her their story of drinking water from a spring and living forever. They tell her not to tell anyone their secret and try to convince her of the negative aspects of eternal life. One is clearly that they have to hide and cant form lasting relationships. Thats hardest on Jesse who has been 17 for a very long time (87 years) with no chance at love. Miles is the older brother who once had a wife and kids that left him when they saw he wasnt getting any older. Then there is Ma Mae and Pa who also had to live the accusations that they were into witchcraft and were forced with their sons to become nomads.

After hearing their miraculous story and spending time with them, Winnie starts to feel for them, especially lonely (and incredibly handsome) Jesse. She has to make a choice. She could drink from the well now and stay 11, go back home and come back when shes Jesses age and drink, or simply walk away and live a normal life.

The story is a great little fantasy piece with characters you come to care about deeply and a fascinating narrative hook. I highly recommend it, even for older teens and adults.

Reprinted here with author's permission