Peter Pan and Friends

By Little Willow

Some children wish they never had to grow up. They may be surprised to discover that plenty of adults feel the same way. Many people want to escape reality, to fly away. Rebels want to defy authority. Daredevils and wallflowers alike may yearn to go on magnificient adventures.

For all of these reasons and more, readers have been drawn to the tale of Peter Pan for over one hundred years. I myself have always liked the story - but not for any of the aforementioned reasons. For example, I have always liked Tinker Bell, but that should be no surprise to anyone who knows of my love for fictional fairies. (That's another article in itself!)

However, I've never liked Peter. Do not misinterpret that statement. I don't hate Peter. Every time I get to the end of the original book or play, I get mad at him for showing such utter disregard for Tink's well-being. I also get uncomfortable when he passes Wendy up for her young daughter. Even when I was little, I thought that was kind of dirty.

My favorite part of the story, in spite of what I just wrote, is the end. Instead of using the typical "happily ever after" ending, Barrie gives his story a superb final sentence detailing a vicious cycle. Peter is ignorant and selfish. The book's last word - heartless - is perfection.

The author granted Great Osmond Street Hospital with the rights to the story. Now, in an effort to retain and extend those rights, the hospital has selected Geraldine McCaughrean to write a sequel. Her creation, Peter Pan in Scarlet, was released in October 2006.

Of course, Scarlet will not be the first book based on the story. Many authors and publishers have attempted prequels, sequels, and companions to Barrie's works. I love some and loathe others.

The Disney Fairies series for young readers revolves around the adventures of Tinker Bell and her friends. Published by Random House, the series was kicked off with the hardcover novel Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg by Gail Carson Levine. Now it is a numbered paperback series employing various authors. The books have gorgeous full-color illustrations, lively characters, and sweet-and-steady plots. Recommended for ages 6 and up.

Straight on 'til Morning by Christopher Golden exposes dark side of Never Never Land. In 1981, a group of young teens are enjoying the summer until one of them is kidnapped. When Nikki is taken by her older boyfriend and his cruel friends, her friends realize the boys in question are none other than Peter Pan and the Lost Boys. This coming-of-age horror story is one of my favorite Golden books, and I highly recommend it. It is an adult novel, found in the fiction section or horror aisle, and definitely not for the little ones. Recommended for ages 14 and up due to content and language.

A few more fairy fans and Pan pans:

The Baby-Sitters Club Super Special #9: Starring the Baby-sitters Club! by Ann M. Martin - The BSC gets involved in their school's production of Peter Pan. Drama happens both onstage and off as they audition, rehearse, build sets, and, yes, baby-sit. Highlight: Dawn's multiple attempts to rewrite scenes to make Wendy more modern. Woo hoo! Recommended for ages 8 and up.

The Lost Girls by Laurie Fox - This adult novel follows Wendy Darling Braverman, the great-granddaughter of the first Wendy Darling, as she attempts to differentiate between fact and fiction. Have she and the other women in her family really seen Peter Pan? Northern California and the diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder come into play. Not a four star story, but interesting.

Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson have teamed up to write Peter Pan prequels. I read their first effort, Peter and the Starcatchers, and was not impressed. I thought it was slow-moving and predictable. I know this is not a popular opinion, but it is my honest reaction. Because of that, I haven't read their second outing, Peter and the Shadow Thieves.

If you have yet to read the original version of Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, please do so. Thanks to Project Gutenberg, you may read it online.

This article was initially published in The Edge of the Forest - a children's literature monthly.

The author of this article, Little Willow, is a voracious reader and experienced bookseller with a specialty in children's literature and contemporary teen fiction. Her book blog, Bildungsroman offers book reviews, author interviews, booklists, and more. She is an actress, singer and dancer. In addition to her pursuits as a writer, she is also a freelance web designer and publicist. To check out her impressive accomplishment and various projects, please visit http://www.slayground.net/