Tuck Everlasting
Natalie Babbitt
Reading Level: 5.0
Interest Level: Middle Grades
Hardcover
ISBN: 0374378487, Published by Sunburst.
Paperback
ISBN: 0374480095, Published by Farrar Straus & Giroux, 139 pages.
Audio Cassette
ISBN: 0807275530, Published by Bantam Books-Audio, unabridged.
Audio CD
ISBN: 1883332648, Published by Audio Bookshelf, unabridged.
Maybe I just don't get Natalie Babbitt's work, but I didn't think all that much of this book. I guess I've come to expect more from children's fantasy. I had high expectations for this book, having heard many times how excellent it is. Unfortunately, for me, it didn't live up to those expectations.
Revised content follows: added March 15, 2003.
I watched the movie based on Tuck Everlasting last night, and I want to revise my review a bit. I found the movie to be compelling, engaging, and emotionally engaging.
I'm still not sure why the book didn't work for me. The movie aligns with what recall of the book, I just did not become emotionally involved with the book.
My nine year old daughter absolutely loved the movie. I'm beginning to suspect that this is one of those stories that works better for children than for adults. Perhaps if I had encountered Tuck Everlasting as a 10 year old, instead of as a 32 year old, I'd have been more enchanted.
When I get a chance, I'll revisit the book.
Barbara Handley
Related Resources
Additional ORL titles by Natalie Babbitt
The Search for DeliciousAdditional Resources
Tuck Everlasting DVD
Tuck Everlasting VHS
A Guide for Using Tuck Everlasting in the Classroom
Literature Circle Guides: Tuck Everlasting (Grades 4-8)
Teaching Fantasy Novels: From Tuck Everlasting to Harry Potter
Off-Site Links to Related Topics
Natalie Babbitt Teacher Resource File
Biographical info, criticism and lesson plans.
Score Teacher Guide: Tuck Everlasting
This supplemental unit provides resources for students in the sixth grade while reading Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt."