Here are the books I’ve discovered featuring Peter Pan and other characters from
Neverland. If you know of others, please e-mail me.
Click the covers to learn more about a specific title. Click anywhere else to return.
There seems to be some confusion about the original Peter Pan novels by Barrie. The
book, Peter and Wendy was published in 1911 after the 1904 play entitled, The Boy
Who Wouldn’t Grow Up. It was later renamed to Peter Pan.
The novel The Little White Bird only has a few chapter devoted to Peter. It’s mostly
about a boy named David. It’s a fantastic read however if you want to get some idea
of how Barrie thought. Some parts even struck me as disturbing.
The novel Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens just are chapters (14-18) from the novel
The Little White Bird (or Adventures in Kensington Gardens) republished as a separate
book. If you are into cannon hunting as I am, there is a lot of great information to be
found. You can read my thoughts on those chapters here.
Concerning the Original Barrie Novels
The Bridge to Neverland
Author: Zoe Barton
Hardcover
From Amazon: Since his original adventure with the
Darlings, Peter Pan has been bringing new “Wendy girls” to
Neverland to take care of the Lost Boys. But Ashley’s made
of much tougher stuff than the Wendy girls before
her—she’d rather befriend the mermaids or fight Captain
Hook and his pirate crew. Creating new adventures for her
friends, Ashley is bringing change to Neverland . . . and not
everyone is happy about it.
The Bridge to Neverland
Author: Ridley Pearson, Dave Barry
Hardcover / Paperback / Audio CD
I haven’t picked this one up yet but I have to say it sounds
like the best story in the Starcatcher series thus far. I hope
it does not disappoint.
J. M. Barrie, The Du Mauriers, and the
Dark Side of Peter Pan
Author: Piers Dudgeon
Hardcover / Paperback
I am so-so about this book. While it provides a
comprehensive look at Barrie and those around him it also
demonizing his character a lot. I don’t think Barrie was a
very sympathetic person but I don’t feel that he was a cold
and calculating manipulator either. Still it’s an interesting
read for those who really want to dig into the psychology,
events and personalities that fashioned Peter Pan.
JM Barrie and the Lost Boys
Author: Andrew Birkin
Hardcover / Paperback
Andrew Birkin is a Barrie expert. From what I have read he
painstakingly copied Barrie’s handwritten notes on Peter
Pan and complied them in a book lovingly refered to by the
cast of Finding Neverland as, the Tome. While this is not as
comprehensive it is filled with interesting titbits and gems
of knowledge such as Barrie’s concept of Peter having a
brother, Michael.
The Case of Peter Pan
Author: Jacqueline Rose
Hardcover / Paperback
From Amazon:
“It combines scholarly examination of primary sources with
historical commentary, the social history of childhood and
critical theory derived from psychoanalysis. . . .”
I need to read this but it was published in ‘84 before the
Peter Pan boom in the 90’s.
Second Star to the Right
Author: Allison B. Kavey and Lester D. Friedman
Hardcover / Paperback
Another collection of essays that discusses Peter Pan and
Barrie. Like Peter Pan In and Out of Time this book was
published fairly late, in 2008, so it address the newer
aspects of the fandom.
Now or Neverland
Author: Ann Yeoman
Paperback
This is a very interesting book to read for those looking for
a Jungian perspective on Peter Pan.
Warning! This is a difficult read if you are not
fairly familiar with Jungian psychology.
Peter Pan In and Out of Time
Author: Donna R. White
Hardcover
A collection of essays that relates to Barrie and Peter Pan.
The interesting thing about this book is that it was
published in 2006 so it encompasses a lot of the newer Pan
Fandom including my favorite, Fox’s Peter Pan and the
Pirates.
The Faery Reel
Author: Various
Hardcover / Paperback
A collection of stories that relate to fairies. There is one
chapter, the name evades me now, that is about Captain
Hook. It’s a cute story.
Midnight in Never Land
Author: Perry Bradford-Wilson and Michael Norris
Paperback
I am not sure if this can be counted as an “official” Peter
Pan novel. I think the island Never Land is probably loosely
connected to Neverland but since I have yet to read this
book and I not sure.
Tigerheart
Author: Peter David
Paperback / Audio CD
I have yet to read this book but I have heard good things
about it. It is an Alternate Universe (AU) story of
Neverland.
Peter Pan Betwixt and Between
Author: Peter Von Brown
Coming Soon
A new novel from the author of Peter Pan’s NeverWorld,
Peter Von Brown. You can catch updates on the progress
of this novel on his blog here.
Peter Pan’s NeverWorld
Author: Peter Von Brown
Hardcover / Paperback
A novel which speculates on Barrie’s unpublished notes on
Peter’s brother, Michael and the idea of a new Neverland.
It’s an exceptionally exciting concept for fans who like to
follow the cannon.
The author, Peter Von Brown, is a super friendly Pan fan.
You can follow his blog here.
Blood Tide
Author: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Hardcover / Audio CD
Even more tales from the Starcatchers Neverland universe.
Cute books for younger readers.
Cave of the Dark Wind
Author: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Hardcover / Audio CD
More tales from the Starcatchers Neverland universe. Cute
books for younger readers.
Escape from the Carnivale
Author: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Hardcover / Audio CD
Tales from the Starcatchers Neverland universe. Cute
books for younger readers.
Peter and the Sword of Mercy
Author: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Hardcover / Audio CD
The fourth and final novel in the Starcatchers series.
Peter and the Secret of Rundoon
Author: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Hardcover / Paperback / Audio CD
The third novel in the Starcatcher series. Amazon offers
the first three novels in paperback as part of a boxset.
Peter and the Shadow Thieves
Author: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Hardcover / Paperback / Audio CD
This novel is a continuation of the Starcatcher series. Much
like the first book, Peter and the Starcatchers, this novel
did not make a huge impression on me. It was cute and
some of the ideas about the origins of magic were clever,
but overall it was too cutesy.
Peter and the Starcatchers
Author: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Hardcover / Paperback / Audio CD
Intended to be a prequel to Peter Pan. I didn’t find it all
that interesting. I know this series is meant for younger
readers but the ideas are a little too childlike, a little too
wholesome for me. It doesn’t explore the original Barrie
tale or even take much from it. The main character is not
“Peter” the way I know him. Still it’s a good book for
someone looking for some light hearted adventure.
Hook and Jill
Author: Andrea Jones
Hardcover
I’ve never read this book but I’ve heard wonderful things
about it. I have a copy and I will read it before too long.
Capt. Hook
Author: J.V. Hart
Hardcover / Paperback / Audio CD
I’ve never read this book but I definitely plan to do so. I
have a lot of questions about Hook identity and how he
came to be in Neverland.
The Child Thief: A Novel
Author: Gerald Brom
Hardcover / Paperback / Audio CD
A “horror” version of the classic tale written and illustrated
by Gerald Brom. You can see more of his stunning artwork
on his website. While Brom does take liberties with the
cannon, the story itself is very well told and enjoyable to
read. Well, “enjoyable” might not be the word since the
story can get pretty gory at times. Still, a great work by a
great author.
Peter Pan in Scarlett
Author: Geraldine McCaughrean
Hardcover / Paperback / Audio CD
The official sequel to Peter Pan sanctioned by the Great
Ormond Street Hospital. The novel does a great job of
addressing some of the darker themes (such as the idea
that Peter kills off the Lost Boys) but unfortunately doesn’t
stick to the continuity of the original. But, those of you
who are fans of Fox’s Peter Pan will be thrilled to know that
Tim Curry reads the audio books!