the 50th anniversary edition
nostalgic, devastating and reflective
winnie foster learns of a hidden fresh water spring hidden on her families land
upon arriving at the spring she meets jeese tuck who try's to hide the spring but upon his families arrival they whisk winnie away to share their devastating story of living forever and never aging
a heartbreaking yet nostalgic read, the ending is what we need not what we want

This is specifically for the 50th anniversary audiobook edition narrated by Alexis Bledel, who did an amazing job with the narration! Her performance alone is 5/5 stars. Bledel starred in the 2002 version of the movie, so it was fun to see her involved with Tuck Everlasting again. She has the right voice for a classic children’s voice.

The one thing I didn’t like was the introduction because it had spoilers! I didn’t remember the story, so the spoilers were a bummer I think that would’ve been better to have at the end of the book.

The story itself I’d give 3/5. I’m sure I read it as a child, but as I said, I didn’t remember it. A lot happens and it’s quite the journey for the Tucks and Winnie. I didn’t cry at the end, like a lot of reviewers are saying, but perhaps I would’ve been more moved as a child. Overall it was a fun story!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own

What can I say about this literary classic that hasn’t already been said?

This is such a timeless story about family, friendship, and the big question it leaves readers asking: “Would I want to live forever?”

I first read Tuck Everlasting back in the early nineties when I was in sixth grade, and now—decades later—I get to share and analyze it with my own sixth graders. Talk about a full-circle moment, and with a book that truly couldn’t be any better for it.

As a Gilmore Girls fan, I was thrilled that the audiobook was narrated by Alexis Bledel. The novel is already fantastic on its own, but her narration elevated the characters, plot, and themes to absolute perfection.

If you haven’t had the chance to experience this story yet, I can’t recommend it enough. And fair warning: keep a tissue handy for the ending… or at least have your “allergies” excuse ready. 😉

Thank you, NetGalley, the beloved Natalie Babbitt, Macmillan Audio, and the brilliant Alexis Bledel for gifting me this touching and unforgettable novel in exchange for a review.

A classic story, written for children-- and as all good children's books do: Tuck Everlasting does not shy away from big questions. A classic for a reason, this 50th Anniversary audio edition hits all the right notes. Bringing in Alexis Bledel (who portrayed Winnie Foster in the 2002 film adaptation) as the narrator adds another interesting layer to the audio experience, as you can tell that Bledel has a deep appreciation for both the characters and the story of Winnie and the Tucks.
Truly excellent!

eBook [O/K] - 2 Stars
Audiobook Narrator - 4 Stars

I somehow missed this book when I was young [I was 8 when it was published in 1975] and to be honest, I don't even remember hearing about this book until I was much older.

I own the kindle book [figuring I should finally get this read since it seems to be wildly popular], but when I tried listening to the original audiobook, it was a strong NO for me, so I figured that it was another "lost" book of my childhood that I'd not get to read.

And then, this 50th Anniversary edition [WHAT???? F I F T Y Y E A R S?? G A S P!!!!] popped up, with Alexis Bledel [who was in the movie, which I have not seen] as the narrator [Gabrielle Zevin reads the introduction], an because I loved her in both "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and "The Gilmore Girls", I knew I'd enjoy listening to her tell this story. Friends, I was not wrong. Ms. Bledel does an excellent job here and I thoroughly enjoyed her narration of this book. In fact, for me, her narration wa the best part of the book.

Though this isn't a review for the book/story, I do need to touch on how I felt overall about this book. I am not a fan. At all. Kidnapping, a Stockholm-like relationship [even as short as it was], deep secrets no ten year old should have to be expected to keep [as well as the way her parents and grandmother treat her and keep her so very sheltered], that awful age-difference issue [oh I STILL have th I C K over that], and THAT ending [add in the whole "I am going to brood and whine about my unexpected immortality instead of finding a way to LIVE. MY. BEST. LIFE.", which drove me crazy, and I am afraid that this book is just not for me, NOR do I think that my younger self would have liked or even enjoyed this.

So, if you ARE going to read this, I highly recommend this audiobook and Alexis Bledel's fantastic narration [her narration is one reason I didn't quit the book]; she makes a tough book so much more palatable.

Thank you to NetGalley, Natalie Babbitt, Alexis Bledel - Narrator, and Macmillan Audio/Macmillan Young Readers for providing the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Tuck Everlasting is a classic for a reason. This brief story of young love, family, and life manages to pull readers into its narrative and hold them captive until the end. Beautiful.

Love this audiobook and will be recommending it.

When the movie adaptation of Tuck Everlasting came out 25 years ago and I heard that Alexis Bledel was going to play the starring role, I knew I needed to watch it. I hadn't read it yet, so I also read the book, and I loved both. I was thrilled to hear that Bledel would be the narrator for this anniversary edition of the novel, and immediately felt nostalgic and knew I would need to listen to it. I absolutely loved hearing her narrate this timeless classic, and now I will have to re-watch the movie soon as well. If you enjoy children's classics, you will love Tuck Everlasting.

Sooo I just got introduced to this wonderful, dreamy, fairy-tale of a story but the addition of the audiobook done by @macmillan.audio in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of this story. I absolutely loved it and wish I had read it as a kid. I swear I’ve lived under a rock my whole life how did I NOT know of this story?
I also just heard there was a lovely film adaptation of it which I’ll be searching for as well as finding a hard copy to read. The narration was stellar! New favorite ❤️

How wonderfully nostalgic to listen to this book. I, of course, read it when I was maybe 11 years old. I loved it then and I really love it now. I especially loved Alexis Bledel reading the book to me. That brought a whole other lever of nostalgia. This is such a thoughtful book about death and dying. I can fully understand why it would be read in schools.

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
Introduction written and read by Gabrielle Zevin
Narration by Alexis Bledel
Sad to say but I think I might be too old for this book. Even with narration by Alexis Bledel I could not get interested. Had to DNF.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC featuring Alexis Bledel as the narrator!! Rory Gilmore and Winnie Foster herself narrating this magical, beautiful classic in the AUTUMN?! Name a better reading experience. 🍂

3/5 only because I wish I had read it in school first so that my reread would have been nostalgic. Definitely would have enhanced my experience of reading it as an adult. Not everything aged 100% but I still enjoyed it immensely. A fun, informative, magical realism classic.

I read likely hundreds of books in elementary and high school, and I can’t believe I missed reading this book earlier in life. This story is so excellent and I enjoyed every bit of it. Alexis Bledel was an excellent narrator and it felt like being read to be a teacher and brought on some serious nostalgia. The production quality is excellent and the additional music and sound effects added so much to the enjoyment of the story. Winnie and the Tucks were great characters and the mystery of how the Tucks became immortal was fabulous. Winnie seems to grow up as the book progresses and her journey was great to read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for a copy of this audiobook.

This book always packs a solid punch. This book is a staple in children's literature, and for good reason. This retelling is fantastic

I enjoyed the narration of this book by Alexis Bledel. I remember her in the movie, but I couldn’t remember anything about the movie since it was so long ago. So it was like going into a brand new book.

I really enjoyed the character of Winifred and her fearlessness. She becomes more courageous as the book goes on. I was a little disappointed by the ending. I understood her decision, but I was a little sad about it. This is such a quick read, and I would recommend it.


I received this as an ALC from NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion.

Same great story with a fun narrator! I loved listening to Alexis Bledel narrate this audiobook. I’ve loved her in Gilmore Girls and when she played Winnie in the movie!

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

I was so pleased to get an early copy of this special 50th anniversary audiobook of one of my all time favourite books. Narrated beautifully by Alexis Bledel, this book was just as magical as I remembered. A perfect look at immortality, the wonder of life and the impact a bit of adventure can have on an ordinary girl.

Have you read this? I believe I read it with my class in middle school and it always stuck with me.

This is out on Tuesday! Thank you to @macmillan.audio for my copy.

I hadn’t read Tuck Everlasting since elementary school, so this was a fun listen as I dove back into this magical story! Alexis Bledel’s narration was perfect. It made the listening experience even more special! The music and sound effects in this audiobook really add to the story and make you feel like you’re there. I have a feeling I’ll be revisiting this audio many more times. Highly recommend!

I was so excited to request a 50th anniversary audiobook copy of Tuck Everlasting on NetGalley as I adore Alexis Bledel and loved Tuck Everlasting starring Alexis, as a kid! This was actually my first time reading Tuck Everlasting, and I found the story and audiobook so heartwarming.

It was easy and enjoyable to listen to, and Alexis did great narrating all the characters and bringing Winnie and the Tucks to life!

Thank you so much Macmillan audio for the alc!

My thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy of this audiobook.

When Natalie Babbitt wrote this story in 1975, I was a teenager and not about to read a book aimed at middle-school children. Ten years later, as a young mother, I somehow missed it again. The mis-timing is really unfortunate because, like the best of children’s literature, it holds meaning for people of all ages. The youngest readers might not immediately grasp the metaphors, but they will understand the question Babbitt poses: is eternal life the prize we make it out to be? What is the downside of agelessness?

The story revolves around the woods owned by the Foster family, who live in the village of Treegap as the story opens in 1880. There are plenty of myths and legends surrounding the woods, and the family doesn’t enter them. Following the tinkling of a music box, 10 year old Winnie impulsively defies the warnings. She meets Jesse Tuck drinking from a spring. He is very friendly, and initially declares himself to be 104 years old, then quickly says he is 17. Despite her longing to drink from the enticing spring, he stops her and becomes frightened. His mother Mae and brother Mikes arrive and effectively kidnap Winnie, taking her to their comfortable but shabby home deep in the forest, where she meets the patriarch, Tuck. Despite her fears, she is enraptured by Tuck’s fatherly benevolence, so different from what she has known with her loving but unaffectionate family.

There are echoes of Narnia and Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan in this enchanting American story with its frontier setting. It’s almost a Little House on the Prairie with a magical touch. Winnie is drawn from real life, a girl on the cusp of womanhood, keen to cross that boundary yet afraid of what she has to leave behind.

The book sold over 5 million copies and was twice made into a feature film. This 50th anniversary edition by Macmillan is an excellent choice for children in the 8 to 13 age group, and just as much for any adults in their vicinity. The production is lush, with music and sound effects and the moments of silence that signify something momentous. American actress Alexis Bledel reads with warmth and passion, as though to a group of kids listening with rapt attention. The contextual introduction by Gabrielle Zevin, who is highly regarded in speculative fiction, is well worth listening to. She recounts her own childhood memories of the book and its changing meanings as it came back to her at different times in her adult life. It’s not likely, however, that many children will want to sit through it. They will want the story itself. I’m so pleased to have finally immersed myself in it half a century years after its publication!

Captivating & thought-provoking. For fans of magical realism, this classic middle-grade novel has nuances that will appeal to adults. In fact, I think I likely appreciate it more at my age than I would have had I read it as a child.

If you’re stuck in a DNF rut like I was, this brief palate cleanser could help reset your reading. Like a summer glass of lemonade, homemade by someone else so all you have to do is enjoy it. It’s a bit more bittersweet than lemonade, but the tinkling of small ice cubes against the glass remind me of the music box that features in the story.

If you’re an audiobook listener, Alexis Bledel narrates the 50th-anniversary edition. Her voice has a youthful, lyrical quality that really works for this novel.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.