A
children's book by
Natalie Babbitt, about a family, the Tucks, who have found a spring which grants eternal life. Winnie Foster, a 10 year old girl who has run away from home, comes across the spring and is
kidnapped, helps a
murderer escape from jail, and in the end is offered a drink from the
fount of eternal life... and doesn't know whether to drink it.
Besides being an interesting discussion of immortality, this book is beautifully written. A phrase from the opening paragraph, "the blank white dawns of august" is indelibly written in my mind. It has the same child-like but not in any way childish intensity that the excellent Bridge to Terabithia also possesses. Recommended, recommended, recommended.