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Join MJ as he talks about Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt.

#amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #Fantasy #MJXMG #FOTRESSFICTION

LINKS

From the publisher’s site

From Newbery Honor and E. B. White Award–winning author Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting is a spellbinding modern-day masterpiece about immortality, friendship, and growing up that’s sure to be an all-time favorite for every generation.

Is eternal life a blessing or a curse? That is what young Winnie Foster must decide when she discovers a spring on her family’s property whose waters grant immortality. Members of the Tuck family, having drunk from the spring, tell Winnie of their experiences watching life go by and never growing older. But then Winnie must decide whether or not to keep the Tucks’ secret—and whether or not to join them on their never-ending journey.

Awards

• American Library Association Notable Children’s Books
• The Janusz Korczak Medal, IBBY, Polish National Section
• Christopher Awards – Winner
• Horn Book Magazine Fanfare List
• Ohio Choose to Read Program

How To Read

The book can be borrowed from CloudLibrary or purchased from the publisher’s site.

My Thoughts on Tuck Everlasting

As rewritten from a Transcript by ClaudeAI

This MJ Muñoz. I am an aspiring author and lover of stories. Join me as I read an assortment of classic and modern middle-grade books. Each week I’ll share my thoughts on a different story and tell you if it is worthy of honor in the halls of the Fortress Fiction. Today’s dubious candidate – Natalie Babbitt’s 1975 novel Tuck Everlasting.

On the surface, this poetic fable follows 10-year-old Winnie Foster’s fateful encounter with the immortal Tuck family and her choice to drink from their magical spring. With lyrical prose and reflections on life, death and living fully, it’s no wonder the book won Newbery honors and remains a staple for ages 8-12.

But simmering beneath the dreamy atmosphere and circle of life metaphors lurk disturbing moral dilemmas never fully addressed. Most alarming – the predatory romantic overtones between Winnie and 104-year-old Jesse Tuck trapped in a 17-year-old body. His pressuring her to drink the water and marry him once she’s “old enough” made my skin crawl as a father and former young reader myself.

The book glosses over this adult masquerading as a peer manipulating a child, as well as other implied loss of agency like the “kidnapping” by the Tucks. Perhaps most frustrating is how the story raises complex questions on mortality, innocence and the consequences of our actions, but explores them with the depth of a puddle through its limited 10-year-old lens.

Children’s literature should inspire and challenge young minds, not make them feel icky about inappropriate relationships or shrug off responsibility from a prologue proclaiming you can’t help what you do in the intoxicating heat of summer. Call me old-fashioned, but I believe middle grade fiction should still feature admirable role models and grapple with hard topics responsibly if at all.

So while I wanted to be swept away to Treegap wood, I simply cannot recommend Tuck Everlasting to the kids in my life. My discomfort clouds any redeeming enjoyment of the lovely language. If I met Winnie, I’d warn her far away from that spring and Jesse’s honeyed words. Let this forever teenage boy stay stuck in the dungeon where he belongs!

But don’t just take my word for it – I’m eager to hear your perspective. Did Tuck Everlasting fill you with wonder or make you want to take a bath? Leave a comment and let’s chat. Talking about books is always more fun with friends.

Next up, I’ll be diving into the zany world of Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland. Will it earn a space in the Fortress or get lost in the dungeon? Stay tuned to find out, and feel free to read along and join the discussion. Until next time, keep reading and keep thinking!