Neverlanders

When Bee and Luz meet Paco, a boy who helps them out of a tight situation and saves Luz’s life, they have no idea he will change their lives forever.

Bee and Luz are runaways, who have formed their own family living in a junk yard with their friends Justin, Gracie, and Felix. When they overhear Paco having a suspicious conversation, they confront him, furious at their trust being betrayed. However, Paco has a surprise for the runaways—he wasn’t speaking into a phone like they thought, but to a foul-mouthed fairy named Tinker Bell, who uses her magic to transport the kids and their trailer to Neverland!

Unfortunately, things aren’t quite as wonderful in Neverland as one might think. The Island is under attack…and Paco has dropped them right into the middle of a battle! Fortunately, Tink and her fairy army repel the attackers and the group make their way safely to Paco and Tink’s home.

Paco explains that Neverland was once a safe and magical refuge for kids just like them—the Lost Ones, they were called—and they all lived and adventured happily with their leader, the Island’s Pan, Peter. That all changed when a group of adults—calling themselves the Otherlanders—decided they wanted the Island’s magic for themselves and laid siege to the Lost Ones. 

Neverland’s magic isn’t intended for adults, and the Lost Ones and Peter fought valiantly to defend their home. Unfortunately, Peter was killed, and one by one the other Lost Ones were also slain, leaving Paco as the only survivor. Paco is convinced that Bee and her companions have the potential to become the new Lost Ones and help banish the Otherlanders once and for all.

While initially confused and angry, the kids soon come to see the wonder in the magical Island and want to help protect it…all except Justin, who doesn’t trust Paco and wants to take his family and leave.

Having gained incredible powers, the kids commit to being Lost Ones. After a daring rescue of one of their mermaid friends, wherein Bee discovered that one of the Otherlanders is her long-lost mother, Bee is chosen by the Island to be their new Pan. 

The leader of the Otherlanders, Abernathy, waits patiently for his opportunity to strike back—he can see that Justin is not content, and manages to convince the boy to attack Neverland’s heart, allowing the Otherlanders to finally breach the island itself. Fortunately, Justin sees the error of his ways, but is mortally wounded by Abernathy—who, it turns out, is none other than Peter, the Island’s former Pan who turned evil and is now hungry for power. Thankfully the kids—with the help of Peter’s shadow, which has been lurking around the island ever since its owner went rogue—manage to defeat the Otherlanders, claiming Neverland for themselves…for their family.

Action packed and full of twists and turns, this is an exciting new take on a classic children’s story. The themes of found family, friendship, and doing what’s right are particularly poignant. This is an exciting read whether you know the original or not. The story is fast paced yet easy to follow, with brightly coloured illustrations that highlight the magic and wonder, as well as the danger, of Neverland. An ideal read for less confident or reluctant readers.

reimagined fairy tales, Peter Pan, Neverland, family, found family, friendship, magic

1. There are several fight scenes, mostly involving blunt weaponry and physical fighting. None are particularly graphic. Notable moments include the flashback of the lost ones fighting off the Otherlanders in ch. 2—which includes an illustration of Pan lying dead with a hook dripping blood raised above him—as well as the attack by the goblins in ch. 2, Bee fighting Missy in ch. 3, the Otherlanders attacking in the final battle in ch. 6, and Justin’s subsequent stabbing, which is very similar to his previous injury. There is also a reference to Justin being a survivor of a school shooting in ch. 1, and several illustrations including guns throughout, although they aren’t used very much. 2. Set in Neverland, there magic throughout. The magic is said to be a part of Neverland, particularly in the context of the tree that is the ‘Heart’ of Neverland, which is the root of the island’s power. Most of the main characters gain powers from their animal suits. A number of mythical creatures are also present, including fairies, mermaids, selkies, and goblins. 3. Grawlix x 16.