Note: this review does contain a few more spoilers than I usually like to give, so just beware if that’s something you’d like to avoid!

This week, one of my nieces turns ten, and I told her I’ve got a new plan for us this year – we’re going to read books together and then watch the movie adaptations once we’ve both finished reading. I wanted to start with something age-appropriate for her that has been recommended to me for years: a classic I somehow missed as a kid – Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt.

Set in the late 1800s, the story follows 10-year-old Winnie Foster, a young girl bored with her overly proper life at home. One day, she ventures into the woods on her family’s land, where she meets Jesse Tuck, a teenage boy who, as it turns out, has been a teen for over eighty years.

Decades earlier, Jesse and his family unknowingly drank from a spring that granted them eternal life. None of them have aged since, and Winnie soon learns their secret. Over time, she grows fond of the Tuck family and promises to protect them.

One element that gave me pause was Jesse’s suggestion that Winnie drink from the spring when she turns seventeen so they can marry and live forever together. While I can understand his loneliness, grooming is still grooming, and when I hand this book to my niece, I plan to discuss that part with her and explain the context of the era when the story was written.

Fortunately, the book redeems this concern beautifully in the epilogue, when we learn that Winnie chose not to drink the water. She lived a full, natural life; marrying someone else, having children, and passing away of old age. That choice gives the story real emotional weight. It’s a powerful reminder to young readers that the first person you love isn’t necessarily the one you’re meant to spend forever with. Admittedly, a lot of “young romances” are really toxic in hindsight.

Ultimately, I thought Tuck Everlasting was a beautifully written and imaginative take on the “fountain of youth” theme often found in the fantasy genre. It’s absolutely age-appropriate for young readers, and I think my niece will love it. Honestly, I’m surprised I never stumbled upon it as a kid because it would’ve been right up my alley. I’ve also learned there’s a musical based on it, which I’m sure will also catch her interest once she’s done reading. I’ll be passing my copy on to her this weekend!