The Neverland Thieves

Tom Skywood is stuck. Whilst his peers are finishing their first year at secondary school and off to enjoy the summer, Tom isn’t sure if he will ever return to this world, having been unable to leave Great Ormond Street for months. His friend Felix visits, but they struggle to find their usual rhythm with Tom wondering if he has been replaced in his friend’s affections and Felix struggling to disguise his fears about his friend’s treatment and the hospital itself. Felix is drawn back to visit his friend on the first day of the holidays though, unable to shake what he saw as he left the hospital on his previous visit and it is here that they meet the third central character, Daisy, and the adventure begins. All three have been drawn back to explore the mysterious happenings of the night before and, carrying their own concerns with them, they are encouraged by a dragon and a bat (the hospital guardians) into a musical trumpet which will propel them to Neverland.

This story takes the familiar themes of Neverland and indeed many of the characters, and provides readers with a fresh take on the world of J M Barrie. Similarly written, with proceeds being donated to the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, there is much for the reader to absorb in this new take on a trusted setting. All three children are facing their own life struggles, perhaps Tom most significantly, and the context of the story allows young readers to learn something of the hospital’s work and of what it might be like to be so unwell. Critically though, the book also explores having to put personal issues aside to work as a team – which becomes essential to Tom, Felix and Daisy when they find themselves accused of a series of thefts.

Retaining much of the feel of the original tales of Neverland, which perhaps parents will remember reading, and providing plenty of hints which many readers will appreciate – for instance Captain Hook is now a girl by the name of Lydia, her grandfather only an infamous memory, the Lost Boys are present again, but this time accompanied by dragon and mermaids as well as the expected fairies – this is a well written and fast moving adventure in its own right. More than capable of captivating the intended junior audience and perfectly pitched to coincide with children returning to the classroom still dreaming of the summer holidays and longing for one more adventure, this would be a great class text to share at the start of the year.