Katelynn Scott
10th September 2008, 08:35 PM (20:35)
This adolescent literature book is the first in a triology outlining the events which occured before the plot of J.M. Barrie's classic novel Peter and Wendy. The first book by Barry and Pearson is Peter and the Starcatchers, the second is Peter and the Shadow Thieves, and the third is Peter and the Secret of Rundoon. I have only read the first book... so far.
The book begins with Peter living in London in an orphanage and being sent on a ship to "Rundoon" to serve as a servant to King Zarboff the Third. Peter is put aboard a ricketty old ship along with five other orphan boys and also on the ship is a mysterious young lady (the eventual mother of Wendy... we presume). As the story progresses, the ship is attacked by pirates (Black Stache... later to become "Hook") searching for treasure (something guarded by the "starcatchers") and eventually marooned on a tiny island (which eventually becomes "Never land"). The plot moves quickly and there are lots of twists and action. We learn how Black Stache really loses his hand, why he is afraid of crocs, and how Tinkerbell comes to be.
While there are pirates, there is no offensive language. There is fighting, but nothing you wouldn't see in a Disney animated movie. There are half naked "island savages" and beautiful mermaids, but told as a child would view these things. Overall, the story is a lot of fun and satisfyingly long (451 pages) with a couple of really beautiful illustrations. I can't wait to read the next two and I know that lots of adolescent boys or girls already enjoy this story (believe me, I've seen them reading it in my classroom). I presume most have seen the Disney "Peter Pan" animated movie, but even if the reader hasn't, this story can completely stand alone.
The book begins with Peter living in London in an orphanage and being sent on a ship to "Rundoon" to serve as a servant to King Zarboff the Third. Peter is put aboard a ricketty old ship along with five other orphan boys and also on the ship is a mysterious young lady (the eventual mother of Wendy... we presume). As the story progresses, the ship is attacked by pirates (Black Stache... later to become "Hook") searching for treasure (something guarded by the "starcatchers") and eventually marooned on a tiny island (which eventually becomes "Never land"). The plot moves quickly and there are lots of twists and action. We learn how Black Stache really loses his hand, why he is afraid of crocs, and how Tinkerbell comes to be.
While there are pirates, there is no offensive language. There is fighting, but nothing you wouldn't see in a Disney animated movie. There are half naked "island savages" and beautiful mermaids, but told as a child would view these things. Overall, the story is a lot of fun and satisfyingly long (451 pages) with a couple of really beautiful illustrations. I can't wait to read the next two and I know that lots of adolescent boys or girls already enjoy this story (believe me, I've seen them reading it in my classroom). I presume most have seen the Disney "Peter Pan" animated movie, but even if the reader hasn't, this story can completely stand alone.