This book came out when I was eight years old and I wish someone had handed it to me back then. (I was reading Stephen King novels instead; this one was far more age-appropriate.) I was given the opportunity to listen to the 50th anniversary audiobook, narrated by Alexis Bledel with a new introduction by Gabrielle Zevin. Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

As a kid, I loved Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie and wondering how I would live my life with special powers. I imagine I would have absolutely loved this book and its questions of whether immortality is a blessing, a curse or both. I would recommend this to younger readers, particularly because it's not very long and it makes readers think.

As an adult, I've read works with a similar premise. VE Schwab's The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and the series with all the sparkly vampires come to mind. I think this novel is still the best choice for younger readers. The vocabulary was relatively simple, yet it didn't ever come across as dumbed down. I see why this work is still going strong 50 years later.

And two thumbs up for the narration of Alexis Bledel, who helped the characters come to life and to Gabrielle Zevin's preface. The tinkling music box sounds also added something extra.

I'm glad I finally read this, and with Alexis Bledel as the audiobook narrator! She is perfect for the role. The slow, lazy summer pace is something I don't see in the breakneck action of today's children's books; I appreciated it but I could see some kids getting bored. I loved Gabrielle Zevin's introduction as a defense of children's literature and of the literary value of Tuck Everlasting, but I did have to save it for the end because it was written with the assumption that the reader had already read the book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC!

I absolutely loved my reread if this classic from my childhood. This book is so beautiful and tragic and I just love it. There is a beautiful foreword by Gabrielle Zevin. Also the new narration by Alexis Bledel is perfectly and heartbreakingly narrated. I remain, 30 years later, still conflicted over the outcome. I'm not sure if I will ever get over poor Jesse. Love.

I somehow missed Tuck Everlasting when it was published 50 years ago and am thrilled to finally have read it. Natalie Babbitt's sensitive exploration of the beauty of life, the blessings of change, and the necessity of death is entertaining and reflective. The novel is also a lovely spur to family conversations; had it been on my radar when my kids were growing up, Tuck Everlasting would certainly have made my mother-child buddy read-aloud & snuggle list. Alexis Bledel's narration is pitch-perfect.

A perfect pairing. Tuck Everlasting was a favourite book for me as a child. A story about a family who accidentally find a fountain of youth. A young girl - Winnie Foster who falls in love with this family and they fall in love with her. A story about life and death. It's such a treasure. Then for the 50th anniversary edition to have Alexis Bledel read the audio... who doesn't want Rory Gilmore to read a parable or fantasy to them. This was a delight.

I can’t believe it has been 50 years since this publication of Tuck Everlasting. The book was a thrill to listen to just as much as it was to read 40 years ago. It is easy to see the man in the yellow suit as the bad guy, but I wonder in today’s context how creepy Tuck appears as well. Great narration!

I read this in grammar school and it was such a powerful book in the 80s. I am not convinced it holds up for today's kids though! I think it is too simple. yes there is a magic, but kids are way more wary of strangers now and they don't spend a lot of time roaming Woods solitary like. the fact that she said she loved this family over 1 night is too simplistic for our hardened hearts. the major theme of death/life is still a good topic for kids to know about though and I am thankful for the more recent novels for kids that deal with death.
for nostalgia a 4 stars
current kids only a 2.
the narration of this audiobook was great!
thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I thought I'd read this book before as a young girl, but it turns out I only saw (and loved) the movie. Listening to Alexis Bledel narrate the story was such a fun throwback to the movie, and while I haven't always loved her characterizations in the past, I thought she did a phenomenal job narrating this audiobook.

Having not actually read the story, I was surprised by how young Winnie (the main character) actually is in the book. At only ten-years-old, her encounters with the Tuck family force her to confront a lot of serious topics, but in such a way that is more easily understood by children (and adults, like me, who need subjects explained in the most simple terms possible). I was also surprised by how much I disliked Jesse and how much I loved Miles and Tuck, the patriarch of the family. I think that since the movie made Winnie much older, a lot of the themes in the book were lost because the emphasis became more young love and less what it means to truly live a full life and why death is a necessary gift.

My girls (13 and 8) listened to this with me in the car and they both enjoyed the story as well as the audio narration.

There are a few books that define my childhood, and this is one of them.

They built them different back then.

For better or worse (I’m lookin’ at you, Where the Red Fern Grows) they taught us tough lessons our parents wouldn’t or couldn’t.

They allowed us to put our hearts at risk in as safe a way as possible.

I loved everything about this version – from Gabrielle Zevin’s intro (SOB) to Alexis Bledel’s narration, it was perfect.

Here’s to another generation of empathetic (and mildly traumatized) readers.

This is a story that was originally released in 1975 and has been very popular amongst teachers in the classrooms, as the book is rich in literary examples that are simple for elementary and middle school kids. I, however, was not one of those kids. I had never heard of this book until it was a movie in 2002, and I still have not watched the film. So, this was my first real exposure to this story. What attracted me to it was that Alexis Bledel is narrating, and she starred in the 2002 movie. Which is crazy because Winnie is 10, but ok, I guess keep it less weird when the youngest Tuck asks Winnie to meet the Tucks when she turns 17. The forward by Gabrielle Zevin made me think this was going to be an emotional story. Maybe it was because I was expecting to be sad, but I wasn't. I thought the story was beautiful and posed some great questions for a young audience. I didn't find it sad. Overall, this is a children's classic for a reason. Bledel did a marvelous job with the characters, and now I must go watch the film.

This book is a gentle, reflective read—perfect for a slow summer weekend. Even its moments of drama feel drowsy and sun-warmed, with a quiet sadness running underneath.

I teach it to my students because it’s rich with literary tools like metaphor and simile, yet written in an accessible, lyrical style. More than that, it opens the door to big questions: What does it mean to live forever? What makes a family? How do we define right and wrong? It’s a small book, but it lingers.

Hands down one of the best middle grade books ever written. I still remember my 3rd grade teacher reading this book to us. Absolutely timeless. Just like the Tucks. I still hope to run into them someday…..

Just in time for the 50th anniversary of this book, this audiobook comes out and it is so well done. It brought back all the nostalgia of reading it the first time and it made me cry just as hard as I did forty years ago. I will definitely be incorporating this into my classroom.

Being able to listen to my favorite childhood story? Sign me up! I am all about the renaissance of this story to celebrate its anniversary.

Classic. I forget what great lessons in valuing the lives we have and even appreciating death that are shared.

I read this book years ago and was delighted to be able to listen to the audio book version on it's 50th anniversary. It is a lovely book and has such a positive message about life and how to live it. I know it's a middle grade story but I loved it just as much the second time around as a 'senior' reader. This is a classic novel that I think every one should get a chance to read at least once in their life time. Gabrielle Zevin is the narrator and I think she did a phenomenal job. She also did a great introduction of the story. Highly recommended. 5 stars.

Tuck Everlasting is a timeless tale. It has been 50 years since it was first published and yet this story still holds up. I had forgotten how well written this book was when I read it long ago. Alexis Bledel does an amazing job narrating the story! I really enjoyed her different voices for the characters. The tone of her voice and the pace she spoke was lovely to listen to. I usually speed up my audiobooks but not this one. No, it was perfect as is and I devoured it thoroughly. Listening to this made me nostalgic and brought me back to my childhood. The foreword is lovely and made me feel sentimental. Having the music box actually play was a great touch throughout the story. This is hands down one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to. I did not want to stop listening and was disappointed that my commute to work was not longer. This book proves that a well written story does in fact last forever.

This was just the most beautiful audiobook ever. I've listened to it twice all the way through, loved it loved it. Alexis Bedel nailed it.

Much like the Tuck’s, Natalie Babbitt’s book has remained evergreen as the decades have passed. Although I’ve certainly aged, I was quickly wrapped up in the story and sad when it ended.

Alexis Bledel was a natural choice due to her part in the film version years ago. She did an amazing job bringing the book to life. Her gentle narration was filled with wonder and sincerity, making this audio version superb.

I enjoy recommending audiobooks to families taking car trips for summer vacations or holidays. This will be a staple recommendation. The story combined with stellar narration will be enjoyed by numerous patrons- I can’t wait to hear what they think!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing a digital preview in response to my request!

"Don't be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life.
You don't have to live forever, you just have to live."

Tuck Everlasting might be small in length but it is sure to leave its readers with big thoughts. This classic tale is one that will stay in my head and heart for years to come.

Author Natalie Babbitt poses the question “If you could choose immortality over certain death, what would your choice be?” At first glance, the choice seems like an easy one to make, but could what first seems like a blessing actually end up being a curse?

Alexis Bledel did a fantastic job at bringing Winnie Foster and this classic story to life. Her soothing voice made this audiobook extra cozy making it an audiobook that you can easily cuddle up with and finish in one sitting. The added sound effects through the story made it that much more of a magical experience. The 50th Anniversary Edition audiobook has given new life to this timeless story and is a great way to introduce your children to this classic book. Highly recommend grabbing a copy for your family.