80's? youth/kid book about family that doesn't age

I read a book in 5th/6th grade (in the mid 80's) about a family that doesn't age (I think it was a mom and a son & daughter). They move around every few years when it becomes apparent the the kids aren't getting older. A girl, I believe, befriends one of the kids in school and eventually learns their secret. The only descriptive plot point I remember is that the family was around for the great Chicago fire.

Maybe Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt?

Possibly Locked in time by Lois Duncan. It's a YA suspense novel that I read in the 80s.

I second Locked in Time, except that the main character doesn't befriend them, per se. Instead, her father marries the woman -- that's how their little family unit survives over the years -- she marries a man, he mysteriously dies and leaves her his money. They eventually move away, and a generation later they move back and the mother pretends to be her own daughter (the next generation, as it were), now with two kids of her own.

This takes place somewhere in Cajun country, Louisiana, I think. And there is definitely reference to either the Chicago fire or a famous circus tent fire.

Thank you! It is Locked in Time. I couldn't remember exactly how she met the family as it's been over 25 years since I read it, but that book has stuck with me and I wanted to recommend it to my daughter who is an avid reader. Thanks again...it's been driving me crazy for a while now.

Lois Duncan is an excellent author. I would recommend any of her titles.

I think Lois Duncan's best books were all written around the same time as Locked in Time. My favorites (in order):

Down a Dark Hall
Stranger with My Face
A Gift of Magic
Locked in Time
The Third Eye

I hope your daughter enjoys the book! I wish I still had my copy to reread.

I can't believe I found the title to this book!! I've been trying to figure this out forever. My teacher read the book to our class when I was in the 5th grade. Thanks so much for the help.

>9 k-e-v: Glad this thread helped you too. Thanks for posting to tell us! Stick around, if you'd like. The group's great fun.