A contemporary sequel to J. M. Barrie's classic follows the Neverland adventures of a cautious descendant of Wendy Darling and her brother, a boy on the autism spectrum who loves the fun and freedom of Peter Pan's world, until the lagoon mermaids start to go missing. By the author of Nutcracked. Simultaneous eBook. - (Baker & Taylor)
What if Peter Pan wanted to take you to Neverland? Would you go?
A contemporary sequel to J. M. Barrie's timeless classic Peter Pan, perfect for kids who loved THE LAND OF STORIES and dream of going to Neverland.
Clover and Fergus are the great-great-grandchildren of Wendy Darling (yes, that Wendy). And now Peter Pan wants to take them to Neverland for the adventure of their lives! But Clover is a little nervous--she's supposed to look after her brother. Fergus is autistic, and not everyone makes him feel welcome. What will happen to him in this magical world?
Fergus isn't nervous at all. To him, Neverland seems like a dream come true! He's tired of Clover's constant mothering and wants some independence, like Peter and the Lost Boys have. He wonders, Why can't the real world be more like Neverland?
Neverland is fun and free, but it's also dangerous and even scary at times. Unfamiliar creatures lurk in the shadows, and strange sounds come from the waters. And then the mermaids start to go missing. . . .
In an imaginative and thoughtful continuation of the story of Peter Pan, Susan Adrian explores Neverland with a fresh perspective and indelible warmth, offering a new adventure based on a beloved classic! - (Random House, Inc.)
Susan Adrian is a fourth-generation Californian who somehow stumbled into living in Montana. By day she is a scientific editor, and by night she dreams up wild adventures that sometimes turn into books. She is the author of the holiday fantasy Nutcracked and two thrilling books for teens. When she's not with her family, Susan keeps busy researching unusual facts, traveling, and writing more books. Follow her on Twitter @susanadrian and visit her on the web at susanadrian.net. - (Random House, Inc.)
Booklist Reviews
While visiting grandparents in London, Clover worries about her brother, Fergus, who is often misunderstood because of his autism. There, the two siblings—descendants of Wendy Darling—learn that generations of children in their family have gone on Neverland adventures. Soon, Peter Pan shows up at their window, and Clover and Fergus leave London behind. Fergus thrives in the freedom of Neverland, where no one expects him to be a certain way, while Clover falters, often doing the wrong thing by accident. When a terrifying monster from Greek mythology begins kidnapping mermaids, they discover that Neverland's villains change, depending on the visitors, and the adventure is afoot. Adrian's exciting tale contains familiar Neverland elements, but the addition of mythology (a passion of Fergus') injects a fun and interesting new element. The viewpoint alternates in chapters between Clover and Fergus, providing insight into the worries, fears, and growth of both realistic protagonists. A fresh and worthy Neverland update for today's young readers. Grades 3-6. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.
Kirkus Reviews
Two Americans go adventuring in Neverland in this continuation of the famous Barrie classic. Clover and Fergus, two white children from San Diego, are spending three weeks in London with grandparents whom they have never met. As they struggle to settle into a strange place, Fergus is intrigued by sightings of a mysterious boy outside of their sixth-floor nursery window. A talk with their grandmother reveals that they are the descendants of Wendy—she is Margaret from the famous novel's conclusion—and that Peter's appearance means that he wants to take them on an adventure. Neverland is everything that the siblings could want, until mermaids start mysteriously disappearing. Adrian does an exemplary job of creating complex and compelling characters out of the sibling protagonists—who alternate narration duties—so that readers are thoroughly invested in their journeys before Peter whisks them away. Fergus' autism is deftly woven into the narrative and the siblings' relationship. Clover, used to mothering her younger brother, struggles to stop worr ying in Neverland, while Fergus, loving the freedom he finds there, fears that he will be judged. Two welcome and notable changes to the original Neverland mythos are the inclusion of female Lost Boys—the group as a whole alternates the monikers "Lost Boys and "Lost Girls"—as well as a racially diverse cast of supporting characters; Barrie's Indians do not figure in the plot and indeed are not mentioned at all. A list of books and websites on autism is appended. A magical ode to childhood that updates the classic while keeping its flavor. (Fantasy. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus 2019 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.
