TUCK EVERLASTING
DUCHESNE ACADEMY
Rising 5th Graders 2014-2015 – Summer Reading
Incoming fifth graders are required to read one book over the
summer, Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt.
You may also use the HAISLN list, which is a selection of books
chosen by the Houston Area Independent School Library Network,
as a great resource for fun summer reading choices.
Please monitor the books that your daughter selects in order to be sure they are
appropriate for her. Some of the choices are more advanced than others, and no list will
meet with everyone’s approval. Selections on this list are available in bookstores, on
the internet, and from the public library.
These are the directions for Tuck Everlasting:
Directions: On a separate piece of paper, answer the following questions in complete
sentences. You may type or handwrite your responses. Due Thursday, August 14.
CHAPTER 1-10
1. What is strange about the wood? What effect does it have on the cows?
2. Explain why the reader is a little uneasy about the stranger?
3. What does Mae take with her on her way to visit her sons? Why?
4. What surprise does the reader learn at the end of Chapter 2?
5. Why are the pebbles piled upon the spurt of water?
6. Guess why Jesse won’t let Winnie have any of the water.
7. How does Tuck prove beyond a doubt about his immortality?
8. Describe the way the Tucks make Winnie feel.
9. Mae says that Jesse and Miles are somewhat different and don’t always get along.
Provide two examples of those differences.
CHAPTER 11-20
10. What causes Winnie’s happiness to go away?
11. What do you think would happen if word got out about the powers of the spring?
12. What do you think the man in the yellow suit wants? Predict what will happen if he
gets it.
13. Who is “the dearest of them all” to Winnie? Why do you suppose she feels this
way?
14. How might the story have changed if Mae hadn’t brought the music box with her
when she went to meet her sons?
CHAPTER 21-25
15. Why does Winnie’s family feel as though a part of her has slipped away? How has
Winnie changed?
16. Why is the news about the man dying both good and bad?
17. What does Jesse give to Winnie? Predict whether or not Winnie will use the gift
when turns seventeen. Explain your prediction.
18. How does Winnie offer to help rescue Mae?
19. How does Winnie explain her involvement in the escape plan?
20. In your opinion, is Winnie a criminal? Explain your answer.
21. How did you feel when Winnie poured the water on the toad? Do you agree with
her decision? Why or why not?
EPILOGUE
22. Mae and Tuck are accustomed to change; nevertheless, these latest changes
upset them. Why?
WRITING PROMPT
Directions: Answer the following questions in a one paragraph response. Your
paragraph can be typed or handwritten.
Would you drink a potion that makes you live forever? Why or why not?
What would be the positive effects of drinking the potion?
What would be the negative effects of drinking the potion?