Saving Neverland by Abi Elphinstone

Pages: 320 

Publisher:  Penguin Random House 

Released: 5th of January 2023 

Number 14 Darlington Road, looks like a perfectly ordinary townhouse - at first glance, anyway, but magic is good at hiding . . . when it's waiting for the right person to discover it . . .

Martha Pennydrop is ten, and desperate to grow up. But growing up is a tricky business. It means turning your back on imagination, fun and magic, because those were the things that led to the Terrible Day when something awful nearly happened to Martha's younger brother, Scruff, which would have been All Her Fault.

But when Martha and Scruff discover mysterious gold dust in their bedroom in their new house - along with a window that's seemingly impossible to close - it's the start of an incredible adventure to a magical world: Neverland! The Pennydrop's new house used to belong to another family - the Darlings - who once visited this world themselves. Now Peter Pan is back, and in need of their help. Neverland is in the icy grip of a terrible curse - cast long ago by Captain Hook. And only Martha and Scruff can save it . . .

A reluctant Martha and excited Scruff are swept to Neverland and into the company of the Lost Kids. But when Scruff is kidnapped, Martha must rediscover all the imagination, magic and belief she has buried deep inside herself for so long, to save him - and Neverland itself. 

What I Have to Say 

Magic, adventure and a lovely sprinkle of danger, this series is perfect for all sorts of younger readers. Whether they already have a love of Peter Pan or if this is their first foray into Neverland, they will fall in love with it and it's many exciting features. 

I haven't read the original book, but I have seen the Disney movie, so I wasn't completely unaware of the world. There's mentions of the original characters to spark excitement in anyone who is already familiar with the story, but there's also plenty of new stuff to enjoy as well.  

One of the things I really loved was the riddles and rhymes in the book. It took me back to a childhood reading Redwall books. Though a very different story than Redwall, the riddles and little poems in the book are definitely reminiscent of that series and honestly should  be included in all books because they just plain fun.  

I liked the themes of family, what lengths Martha would go to in order to get her brother home safely, but my favourite bits were her struggle between wanting to grow up in order to keep him safe and her childlike wonder and excitement. I really liked the book's message about how growing up isn't always about not playing and having fun. 

All in all, I really enjoyed this and think it would be great for any reader young or old. 

 

My thanks go to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for providing me with this copy for review.