Eternal Life

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Author: Natalie Babbitt

Publisher: Square Fish (2007)

Binding: Paperback, 160 pages

Eternal life is the subject of this story. Full of symbolism, the book tells of a family who inadvertently gained eternal life by drinking magical water. When 10-year-old Winnie discovers the secret, this family shares the blessings and curses of this fate with her as it tries to protect her.

Aside from prompting a consideration of whether this fate is a desirable one or not, the story also shows the coming of age of this girl, always sheltered by her family, as she learns about the world beyond her safely-controlled yard. The story is set in the past, so the coming of age ideas are more benevolent than one often finds in novels with more modern settings.

Some might consider the scene in which Mae hits the man with the gun to be a too violent, especially as he later dies.