Book Review, Peter and the Starcatchers

I know, it's the not the grown-up novel I promised. Still reading the one I want to review, and just finished Grisham's The Testament (good plot, but classic Grisham style - reminded me why I stopped reading him over a decade ago). Today I bring you a children's novel, Peter and the Starcatchers, by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson.

I picked this up for Goof Ball a couple of years ago, thinking it would interest him. I seem to be the last to know what will interest my children when it comes to books, unfortunately. He likes zombies and World War II. Period. Oh, and Neal Schustermann. Yeah. This book sat on the shelf for two years. Then I cleaned Goof Ball's room and found ALL KINDS of interesting stuff. But let's limit ourselves to the book, eh?

Peter and the Starcatchers is a prequel to Peter Pan. Pirates. Orphan boys. Rich rajahs. Star stuff with magic power. Ships and bad guys and adorable girls and a crocodile! Humor by the bucket load, but subtle for the most part. I DEFINITELY recommend this book as a read-aloud for young-ish children, particularly if they've seen or read Peter Pan. Barry and Ridley do a phenomenal job of unpacking the story, taking us backward in time to see the characters before we knew them. Almost like X-Men: First Class, but with magic and pirates and Peter! The character development for people we already know and love is awesome!

Oh, I wish my boys were still eight and five! I'd read this to them in a heartbeat. As things stand, I still may ask Oatmeal Head to read it, as he'd appreciate the humor. Definitely a laugh-out-loud book. Please, if you have elementary aged kids, or grandkids, do yourself a favor and read this book to them. You'll both appreciate the depth and humor of Peter and the Starcatchers. You'll create memories with your child that won't be undone.

Until I write again ...

Flea