Saving Neverland – The Must Read of 2023

• Published by Puffin on 5th January
• Perfect for readers aged 8+
• Stunningly illustrated by Geraldine Rodriguez

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 . . .

Whenever there is exciting news of Abi writing a children’s book there is a buzz in the air, not only amongst those in the publishing industry, but most especially children who are either aware of Abi’s published titles so far or those looking for an exciting new read and have heard about amazing reading experiences courtesy of Abi’s incredible attention to detail and fabulous imagination for stories from friends (or their school librarian – and we all know how amazing they are at recommending the right books!). I know we all cannot wait for news of what is next from Abi, and what a treat it will be too, so imagine finding out that Abi has written her very own sequel to the children’s favourite classic, Peter Pan by J.M.Barrie.

When it comes to Peter Pan I have had the pleasure of the books, films ( Tinkerbell titles were an absolute smash hit in our front room!), and relevant merchandise throughout my daughters childhood, and it is something we look back at fondly a decade later. I don’t think age is relevant when it comes to enjoying the magic of Neverland, as people young and old escape into the world of Peter Pan and Captain Hook, and the same can be said for Saving Neverland too.

You cannot have Neverland without Peter and Hook, and they both feature in this smashing sequel to the original, but in a less central role because that position has been awarded to Martha Pennydrop, who along with her brother Scruff live in the house that used to be home to Wendy Darling and her family. We know the house well, and the window that Peter whisked Wendy to Neverland from, and the sad scenes of Wendy’s parents waiting by the window in the hope their daughter would return. All of that magic and nostalgia is captured with such authenticity in Saving Neverland, and these early bedroom scenes with Martha and Scruff are some of my favourite parts to the book. This story immerses you within the first few pages as you learn about the Pennydrop siblings.

The pair find things in their bedroom that don’t belong, but all makes sense when Peter Pan arrives looking for their help. All is not well in Neverland, and Peter and the Lost Boys are desperately looking for help in breaking the wintery grip hanging over their home through a curse Captain Hook cast. Peter knows from his interactions with Wendy that outside help is often invaluable, but Martha is protective of her little brother and in no hurry to venture into the unknown with him in tow.

Martha is conflicted because she has decided recently that she is of an age where make believe and magic should be a thing of the past for her, especially if that prevents any accidents from happening involving her little brother, but Scruff has other ideas, and when he takes off, out of their bedroom window, covered in fairy dust to enable flight, it falls upon his big sister to follow, and yet in order to do so she has to believe, with all of her being, in magic and make believe once more… and so an unforgettable and magic filled adventure begins, set in stunning wintery landscapes, something that has become a favourite of Abi’s to write about in her books, of which she gives such credibility to the worlds she creates for readers to travel, and this is no exception, it really is a book to cherish, and a reading experience that will stay with you forever.

Rarely would I commit to considering a modern title in the same league as those children’s classics that have become household names, but I do not hesitate in offering Saving Neverland as such, and I am confident that Puffin made the right choice in selecting Abi Elphinstone to write a sequel which does the original justice whilst modernising the heart of the story to make it appealing to the intended readers. Saving Neverland has earnt its place beside Peter Pan, and J.M.Barrie would agree.

There are plenty of dangers to overcome along the way for Martha and Scruff, and it is fantastic to see a strong female lead character in this modern sequel to a book that was predominantly male orientated, especially as Martha is not the damsel in distress type that Wendy had been. In stark contrast she is strong, loyal, confident, and unnerving in her pursuits, and when Scruff is kidnapped this only drives Martha more as she proves that she is defiant in the face of danger, and that girls can be just as reliable as boys are in tackling rough terrains, outsmarting the opponent (even one as sneaky as Hook!), and ultimately succeeding in saving the day. For Martha what matters most to her is to reunite with her brother, and she is unwavering in ensuring this happens before it is too late, because Scruff is fragile in her eyes, and vulnerable without her.

Scruff proves that even the smallest person can make a big impact when he learns to cope with being held captive, alone, and crucially missing his asthma inhaler. His character will resonate with readers, whether they themselves have a little brother they are protective of, or another young family member that reminds them of scruff, and even those that are a little brother. The relationship between the siblings in Saving Neverland helps readers connect with the story from the opening pages, and offers the continuity for the reader until the end as hope for their safe reunion fuels readers to reaching the concluding pages. This is such a magical adventure for readers to embark on, and Saving Neverland offers escapism into a world of make believe that feels so incredibly real through the immersive landscapes and unfolding scenes, which are complimented beautifully by illustrations from Geraldine Rodriguez.

I would love for this to be the first of many titles that Abi Elphinstone writes in relation to Peter Pan and Neverland, and find myself longing to return to Martha and Scruff, and this is testament to a reading experience that I have cherished, with a book that I will return to time and time again, and has a place on my bookshelf for life along with a place in my heart.