If Only One Needn’t Grow Up

When Peter Pan came into your life, whether from a book, a movie, or a play, it was magic. Most of us met him when we were children and it was wonderful to believe in a world where there were no grownups to make you eat your vegetables, where there were amazing adventures to be had, where you didn’t have to grow up and stop having fun; and, we all began to have dreams in which we could fly.

I never stopped to ask, well who was Peter and how did he wind up in Never Never Land? How come he can fly? Why doesn’t he grow up? Why, of all the houses in London did he go to the Darling’s house? And as I grew up I began to forget the joy of Peter Pan.

Peter and the Starcatchers, by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson,

Peter and the Starcatchers

brought it all back. This magical book is the first in a trilogy that answers all those questions and takes you, no matter what your age, to Never Land again. It is a book that you can read to children when they are old enough for such a long book and it will treat them to Peter and the pirates, the crocodile and Tinker Bell. It is also a book that teens will enjoy for its magic and fantasy and the battle between good and evil. And it is a book that adults will enjoy for the careful and quiet telling of the poignancy of having your friends grow up and leave you behind.

Peter and the Shadow Thieves

The story continues with Peter and the Shadow Thieves. These are not short make-believe stories, they check in at 500 – 600 pages each. The dialogue is right-on, mixed with humor when the situation is at its most dire. Bravery and courage are the underlying themes; needed when the villain is really most dangerous.

Peter and the Secret of Rundoon

For the most enjoyment these books should be read in order. And if you are left wanting more, there are two more books that begin 20 years after the end of Peter and the Secret of Rundoon. Peter’s friend in London, Molly, has grown up and married George Darling and they have three children.  Yes, there are more adventures to be had before J. M. Barrie gets to take Peter on his adventure.