Have you ever wondered what it might be like to live forever? To never die, even from a gun shot or a branch falling and crushing your body? In the story Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt, the Tuck family will live forever. The story revolves around a little girl named Winnie Foster who is tired of living her cottage home. She is an only child and she feels suffocated being stuck with her mother and grandmother all day.She desires to do something that "would make some difference in the world." One morning she decides to explore the woods her family owns and discovers on her a walk a 17 year old boy, Jesse Tuck, sitting against a giant tree reading a book. She sees him drink some water from a very hidden spring. That's when the story begins. She asks him for some water, but he refuses to allow her to have some. At that moment, Jesse's mother, Mae Tuck, and brother, Miles Tuck, appear and in a frenzy take Winnie with them so they can explain why she can't drink from the water or tell anyone about the spring.
Winnie is basically kidnapped by Jesse, Miles, and Mae. They soon explain their story, and then continue to take her home with them to explain why she mustn't tell anyone about the spring. They explain how bad the world would be if no one ever died and the struggles that they experience not aging.
Due to several turn of events the following day, Mae is taken to jail. Winnie is the only person who can save her, and she decides to make a difference in someones world.
This story has some interesting topics students can discuss. Such as, what would it be like to live forever. What the consequences might be, and why it's good that we don't. Students can also see that no matter the age, (Winnie was 10), you can find a way to make a difference in someones world. It's very important for kids to start realizing that they are part of a community and that they can make a change in the world.
This book is well written with very good imagery. It is easy to visualize where it all happens, and the story is written in a way that nothing seems not needed or nonsensical. This story will be considered a classic for decades to come.
I remember reading this book in middle school! You have such a grabbing attention getter that made me want to re-read the book all over again. I think it is great that you made the connection of students being able to find a way to make a difference in someone's world, no matter their age. This is such an important thing for kids to grasp.
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