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2.69k reviews for:

Tuck Everlasting

Natalie Babbitt

3.8 AVERAGE


a favorite childhood story. it teaches an important lesson about immortality through the charming tuck family; they have to explain to winnie the gravity of the situation when she stumbles upon the fountain of youth on her family's property.

throughout my adulthood i'd been wanting to get a copy, and finally, in may 2013, i did. i re-read it in a few hours (if that) over the course of one day.

***warning: spoilers ahead***

the parts i particularly liked:

when winnie so bravely and flatly volunteers to spring mae from jail; while it wasn't her fault for coming by the fountain of youth, had it not been for winnie, mae wouldn't have wound up in jail; this demonstrates winnie's maturity, accountability, and desire to help friends when they are in need.

when winnie grants her toad friend the gift of invincibility.

that winnie passed on taking a sip from the tempting fountain. she found a man, raised a family, and died a happy, loving mother and wife. she didn't get stuck; she completed her wheel's revolution.

i freaking love this book! i have read it soooo many times!

I can imagine liking this book (and Jesse) as a kid. But as an adult, 10 year old Winnie lusting after Jesse seemed creepy.

I wish the book had been open ended.... Plus, what 17-year old isn’t impulsive enough to drink from that spring?
emotional lighthearted sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Gorgeous. Classic.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Reread for the first time since I was 9 (?). Definitely had a strong sense of nostalgia that is evoked in the writing, the descriptions of flowing water in particular created a sense of bygone times along with the indeterminate (until the very end) time period. The themes of friendship and mourning the loss of childhood even while your still a child remains relevant. While it didn’t evoke the strength of feeling I had reading it as a child, there was still a great depth of feeling and I would still recommend it to young readers.

3.5 stars.

Honestly? I liked the movie better, but this ending was pretty satisfying.

What a wonderful small story with huge ideas. This book discusses immortality, death, family and love without ever being overwhelming or too dark. Each sentence makes you feel the heat, the loneliness, and the joy. This story truly makes life feel like such a gift.

Readers with an adventuring spirit and desire to see the world will identify with Winnie. Tuck Everlasting is a quick, easy read, but full of philosophical challenges, secrets, and round characters. It will sweep you away and make you think.

#classroomlibrary

Okay listen, I watched the movie ages ago and just now picked up the book on request from a friend. It was so brief without any depth that when I read the last page I wondered if I blacked out in the middle when exciting stuff happened.
I believe it to be an enchanting tale for 4th graders but I was underwhelmed.