The first week of August has brought a terrible heat to the little village called Treegap. 10-year-old Winnie Foster dreams of running away from home and into the woods her family owns. When she finally dares to go, Winnie discovers the Tuck family and the secret they’ve sworn to protect: a hidden fountain that bestows eternal life. She is swept up in the Tucks’ lives and must decide if she will help them keep their secret from a stranger who threatens their way of life.

Natalie Babbitt’s classic story forces readers to reexamine their own beliefs about life and death. Winnie Foster is forced to make some big decisions and, at times, she thinks and acts like someone older than ten. However, this fluctuation in character voice isn’t as disconcerting as it would be in other texts; the story revolves around characters that are older than they appear. Tuck, the father of the family, speaks with a wisdom and sorrow that will stick with readers after they’ve finished the story. Babbitt uses a great deal of symbolism in Tuck Everlasting and the book can be read on multiple levels.