Ages 10+1-min guideClassicBig questionsFantasy
Tuck Everlasting
by Natalie Babbitt
Good fitA good fit for most kids 10 and up. A short, lyrical book about whether living forever is a gift. Expect one sudden death and big talks about dying.
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What it’s about
In 1880, ten-year-old Winnie Foster wanders into her family’s woods. She sees Jesse Tuck drink from a secret spring. His family drank from it 87 years ago and has not aged since.
The ending
What might come up
ViolenceSomeMae Tuck hits a man in the head with a gun, and he dies. Mae is jailed and faces hanging.
Death and lossSomeThe book talks a lot about dying. The epilogue shows Winnie’s grave many years later.
Scary momentsA littleThe Tucks carry Winnie off on their horse at first, and she is frightened.
LanguageNone
RomanceA littleWinnie has a crush on Jesse Tuck. He asks her to drink the water at 17 and join him.
Why kids like it
It asks a question every kid wonders about: would you want to live forever?
Free printable quiz
- 1How old is Winnie when the story begins?
- 2What makes the Tucks stop aging?
- 3What does the man in the yellow suit want to do with the water?
- 4What does Winnie do with her bottle of spring water?
Read it, then watch it
Read the book first, then watch it together and talk about what changed.
