SAVING NEVERLAND is a wintry adventure story set in the well known world of Peter Pan that takes the magic of the original book and gives it a modern sequel that retains the spirit but gives it the author's own twist. It is a tale about growing up not needing to eliminate magic and adventure and the importance and loyalty of siblings and family

There are new characters and places that fit in perfectly alongside the old. In fact, much of the book is new, with Peter, Hook, some of the pirates, and a handful of the locations only held over from the original book. All the new additions fit in perfectly to the world, though, expanding it and making it larger. This is not a retelling that treads familiar ground, but a reimagining that breaks new ones while clinging tight to the spirit of the old.

As it's heart, this is a book about magic and the different ways you can grow up - how to do so without losing a sense of adventure and wonder. It is this heart that helps it feel like a sequel despite the many differences between the books.

Neverland is under an icy curse in this book, making it feel perfect for the season (I read this on a train with frost-covered fields on either side.) There are mountains made of ice and dreadful wintry creatures like frostbears. The mermaids lagoon has frozen over and is patrolled by icesharks. Plus there is even a mammoth in the mix too.

Key moment are illustrated in full page inserts, which adds a storybook feel to it. It's not lots of illustrations around the text (which I feel is the most common MG illustration style) but rather a few major images with a little snippet of text beneath. It gives the sense that this is a book that could so easily become a special edition.

Neverland for a new generation, with just enough of the original in it Abi Elphinstone has created the perfect world as ever. This is a must read

Updated Neverland tale for a modern audience - plenty of swashbuckle and imagination.

Peter Pan is a story almost every child grows up familiar with, even if only from the Disney cartoon. So many will have glossed over the old-fashioned values much more evident in the book, the male-centric heroes, the angry/homemaker females. Cos - swords and planks! Crocs and flying!

Well, it was about time really that Peter and Co came into the 21st century a little. Not in every sense, Neverland was pretty great really. But a new Wendy character with some backstory, some brains and some gumption - that was missing.

As ever, our protagonist is caught between childhood and adolescence. And Martha is very much caught - with no mother, she has taken responsibility for her younger asthma-ridden brother Scruff, feeling she has to be in charge of his health after an Incident she won't talk about. But since then she's stopped games and playing and been another parent to him, with Dad busy with work and keeping the family going.

But little does she know the perenially-open window of their new London home has been open to Peter Pan for decades, being the home of the Darling family many years ago... and now he's coming back for help. Neverland is in trouble, the fairies and fairytale creatures are in danger of extinction as the pirates, long-banished, are almost able to break through. Childhood itself is in danger.

But can a girl who refuses to play, to use her imagination, to go on adventures - can she help?

Martha is instantly recognisable and empathetic. Trying hard to leave childhood behind, she's now forced to delve into what's happened and what she desires when Scruff gets kidnapped and it's not a fight something she doesn't believe in anymore - it's a fight for her family.

We are treated to a new adventure in Neverland, with some new creatures and vistas, a new and more likeable fairy (Muddle - no jealousy and sulks this time, much more contemporary and companionable), the Lost Kids replace the Lost Boys. Peter is still Peter of course, crowing and forgetful when he chooses, but with enough of backstory hinted at to explain his psyche.

The teachings here are well put - about family, enjoying childhood, bravery in the face of adversity, trusting friends.

The pirates make a guest appearance, as does a very cool mammoth called Abomination, and the tone, references and characters all nicely nod to Barrie and his creation while bringing contemporary readers an entertaining and fittingly up-to-date Neverland adventure.

Elphinstone gives a little background to the writing and her own history with Peter Pan at the end, explaining what she's changed and why, which I was glad to read.

For ages 8-13.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

Beautifully written Saving Neverland hooks you into the up and coming adventure from the start. It is a superb contribution to all previous Peter Pan stories and sagas, complimenting the books and movies perfectly. Abi Elphinstone has obviously done a lot of research as it met all my hopes and expectations for a novel based on the incredible world of Peter Pan with some brilliant imaginative twists. She has created a fantastic cast of well-rounded and believable new characters, including new Lost boys and even a new Fairy called Muddle.

I particularly like the way Peter Pan has been kept in character from the original book in that he is as arrogant as ever and there is still the underlying theme of the transition from childhood to adulthood. I also loved the complete move away from the gender stereotypes of the original novel written in 1911. It made my laugh out loud when Martha puts Peter in his place when he expects her to resume the duties Wendy used to do.

Saving Neverland will drew me back into the magical world I remembered reading as a child. I recommend this book to all Peter Pan fans. It is a great addition to the permanent bookshelf. I can see Saving Neverland and this ingenious quest becoming a new Peter Pan movie.

Massive thank you to. NetGalley for this ARC.

Was instantly interested in reading this story due to my love of Peter Pan and his magical world of Neverland.
Really enjoyed getting to know the characters with the occasional old character weaved into the story.
I feel like there was some unnecessary waffle during the story, but mostly it was good and kept the true magic of this world alive.

Would have been nice if Scruff and Martha ended up being the children of one of the original lost boys/ Wendy, John or Michael, but maybe that’s a tale for another day…

Saving Neverland by Abi Elphinstone is a wonderfully modern reimagining tale of Peter Pan. Martha and her younger brother Scruff have come to live in a house which once belonged to the Darling family. Martha, aged ten, is feeling that she needs to grow up and be more responsible but Peter Pan entices her and her brother to go with him to save Neverland from an icy curse that was cast upon it by Captain Hook.
Martha is a reluctant but feisty adventurer, well able to hold her own with Peter and determined to protect seven year old Scruff. Neverland is full of surprises, including the Lost Kids, frostbears and ghostly pirates. Martha soon finds that she needs all her wits about her to save her brother and end the curse, whilst helping Peter come to terms with his own misgivings.
This is an ideal story for eight to twelve year olds with strong characters and plenty of action.

This book was brilliant! I’m a huge fan of all of Abi’s books. This is a unique telling of the story of Peter Pan and how it feels to grow up. The characters were fantastic and the story was skilfully written. I thoroughly enjoyed this and read it in one go!

I love retellings and Peter Pan was one of my favourite books as a child and remains so until this day so I was excited to read this reimagining of the book and I wasn't disappointed.
This is a wonderful book and I don't think you would have to read the original Peter Pan or know the story inside out to enjoy this version. I loved the modern take on it in this book as well as recognising somethings fromm the original that I loved, however for me the thing that made this book was by far the characters and teh relationships between characters.
This book is both heartwarming and emotive in equal measure, making me both laugh out loud and reach for tissues. I can't wait to read more by this author.

Saving Neverland is a wonderful adventure. A truly inspiring re-imagining of Peter Pan packed full of magic, bravery and wonder.

Although I haven't read the original, (my experience of Peter Pan is largely through Disney and the film Hook!) I thought the updated narrative with the character of Martha not falling into outdated stereotypes was a welcome change to the traditional story.

I enjoyed the exploration of the relationship between the two siblings as one is on the cusp of adolescence and the other still firmly in the midst of the wonder of childhood imagination. Towards the end of the book, I found myself quite emotional and well and truly reminded that holding onto that childhood magic is never a bad thing. Life is the adventure you make it and this message is one all children should hear.

I will definitely be adding this to our school library and I'm certainly inspired to go and read more books by Abi!

A big thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read a proof.

Peter Pan is one of my favourite Disney films (and I can't forget the 2005 live-action), it's such a fun story I get lost in that's full of adventure, and this book was just like that.

'Martha Pennydrop is now ten years old, and therefore a grown up, which means no more fun times. Instead she makes lists of things to do and not falling into playing with her younger brother, Scruff, who is still very much a child.

One night they are visited by Peter Pan, who needs they're help to save Neverland from Captain Hook - and Martha is the key.'

I was intrigued and hooked by the first few pages, I loved the characters in this book and the little references they had to the originally cast (Wendy, John, Michael), The Lost Boys and Tinkerbell are trapped by Captain Hook's curse so they have been replaced with other loveable characters.

The world building is jut as good with the new creatures added in as well as new magic - who doesn't love those things?

I really liked Martha's character and learning that just because you're growing up, doesn't mean you can't have fun, something that Peter Pan can't grasp his head around which makes so much sense given his character.

Any child will enjoy this book, I'm an adult who loved Peter Pan and loved this book just as much. While you get a new adventure and some new characters, you still have Peter Pan and his magical world.

Having read - and loved - Elphinstone’s earlier series, The Unmapped Chronicles, I had absolutely no doubt that she was the perfect author to tackle a return to Neverland. Her seemingly endless imagination, combined with her childlike approach to magic and her wonderfully evocative descriptions, are exactly what is needed to bring Peter Pan back to life.

In this book, we meet the latest residents of 14 Darlington Road, Martha and her brother Scruff. After a Terrible Day, when something awful nearly happened to her brother, Martha has tasked herself with growing up. Weighed down by responsibility and guilt, she attempts to pack away her childhood. That is until she receives a visit from a mysterious flying boy with an uncontrollable shadow. When she learns that Neverland is is trouble, she finds herself thrust, rather unwillingly, into a perilous adventure.

I thoroughly enjoyed each and every word of Saving Neverland. Like many children, I grew up captivated by Peter Pan and his magical world. It was marvellous therefore to return to my childhood and meet my favourite characters once more. Elphinstone has reimagined JM Barrie’s creation beautifully - it retains so much of its original magic, while being lit up by many new creations and characters which fit perfectly into the original creation. I loved the changing role of girls in this book - no longer just there for housework and as mother figures, but rather the centre of adventure. The story itself is unpredictable, fast-paced and brimming with magic.

I cannot fault this book - it really is a triumph. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Not for me (any mention of zombies and I'm out)but I can certainly see who this will appeal to and will be able to sell in the shop happily as it is clearly well written

Abi Elphinstone has written another winning book for children young and old! Saving Neverland finds Martha Pennydrop trying hard to be grown up and not be distracted by childish things, such as playing games with her younger brother, Scruff. But when a boy called Peter Pan arrives through her bedroom window and explains that Neverland is in danger and has asked for her help by name, what real choice does she have?
What follows is a wonderful adventure to a magical land from our childhood, but now dramatically changed and filled with beasts such as snowtigers and icesharks and the elusive Neverbird. .Elphinstone paints such wonderful images into the reader's mind, so you can not help but to be drawn in and not want to leave, even when the adventure is over! I will be recommending this to everybody!

‘Neverland’ conjurs up so many images – Peter Pan, the magic of childhood, Captain Hook, fairies and never having to grow up. I used to tell my daughter we’d find our way to Neverland one day and she would always watch for ‘the second star to the right’.

From the very first page of this delightful book, Abi Elphinstone has captured the familiar, comforting tone of JM Barrie’s classic story. Readers are transported to 14 Darlington Road, the open window and mysterious golden dust on the floor. This time it’s ten-year-old Martha Pennydrop and her little brother, Scruff, who are visted by the notorious Peter Pan. Dad is always stressed with work in London and Mum is hundreds of miles away living life as a free spirit so there’s no one to check on them at bedtime. Martha feels so much responsibility for Scruff and is always worrying about him. It’s time to leave childhood behind. Ever since the ‘Terrible Day’ six months earlier, she’s been doing her best to grow up, be sensible and protect her brother.

But Neverland is in danger. Cursed by Captain Hook, it is haunted by ghost pirates and held in an icy grip. Martha and Scruff agree to help Peter Pan try to save it and are whisked away on a wintery adventure. Frostbears, snowtigers, and the legendary Neverbird bring excitement to every turn. Martha starts to realise that a life full of adventures is far better than a life of worry and that believing in impossible things can make all the difference. She is able to deal with her guilt of the ‘Terrible Day’ and find a way to embrace childhood again.

Abi Elphinstone has drawn out everything that is good about the original Peter Pan story while carefully replacing the problematic aspects with more contemporary, compassionate and inclusive elements. The Lost Kids welcome Marth and Scruff to Neverland with an expectation that both girls and boys can do anything if they just believe.

This book is a real page -turner and heart warming adventure. Martha Pennydrop and her brother, Scruff, have moved to London with their father. Following an 'incident', Martha is determined to grow up.
Peter Pan arrives in desperate need of help to save Neverland and Martha and Scruff might be just the people to do it!

I don't recall reading the original Peter Pan but I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Neverland. The writing is beautiful and I was fully transported to Neverland.
Will be pre-ordering this book and thoroughly recommend.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was a modern take on a classic story and it was so well done. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know.

Saving Neverland is a great book for young children and keeping with the themes of the book: a good book for children of all ages, even the grown ones! When I first heard of a modern day sequel to Peter Pan, I was very excited as I loved the original stories and their many adaptations. The book remains true to the magic of the original series whilst also creating new foes and obstacles for the heroes to battle and solve. Likewise some of the plot is similar to the original stories particularly the more fantastical elements that we all adore. However the plot also makes it very appealing to Gen Alpha who may not have read the original stories and who might find elements outdated or offensive.

With the heroine going through her tween years, she is caught in between the teenage years and that of being a younger child. . She battles to reconcile her love for childhood versus the desire to grow up, partly due to her extra responsibilities. It is thus very relatable for children in their upper primary and lower secondary. years, but also for all people who are growing, as growing is something we all do throughout our entire lives

We are introduced again to Peter Pan who hasn't allow the passage of time to water him down, and is the hero of our dreams. But we are also introduced to an updated Neverland which has changed with the times and now Neverland even has a Alice in Wonderland vibe.The new tribe of Lost Kids each come with their own unique skills and bring something new to the adventuring party, each of them crucial to points in the journey. There are also new fairies and the book explains their magic system better. The pirates too are updated with them being more fleshed out characters with names and vivid physical appearances.

A key theme that runs through this book is of familial love and fidelity. The love and sense of responsibility the heroine feels towards her brother and the loyalty of the characters towards each other is strong. But another more hidden theme is that some people are underestimated and can surprise you.

What does frustrate me a little is that the book doesn't seem to have caught up with the technology that has changed since when Peter Pan first took the Darling Children away. There aren't any references to modern technology which I think could have added a nice twist; particularly how Peter himself adjusts to the modern world.

The book overall is a great read for everyone and can't wait for it to come out!

A great spin on a classic tale. Deeply imaginative and heartwarming. Huge thank you to the publisher for this ARC via NetGalley.

In which Abi Elphinstone moves into Neverland and makes it her own.

Saving Neverland is utterly adorable, and incredibly magical, with some important real world issues applied with a careful and gentle touch.

It's undeniably an Elphinstone book, bearing stylistic similarities to Abi's Unmapped Chronicles series. This is an adventure that is huge enough to fit in snowtigers, frostbears and icesharks, a Neverbird and a Naggletree. There are trees that grow compliments and snowflakes that come from secrets never told. It's incredibly imaginative and beautifully magical. And though at times it does feel more like the unmapped kingdoms than J.M. Barrie's Neverland, well, it really did need an update in line with modern sensibilities.

Two of Barrie's characters with a large presence in Saving Neverland are Peter Pan and Captain Hook. Pan is as arrogant, proud and fickle as ever, though there are some fascinating sections of the book that just tugs at the question of why he's like that. He feels more real for it, as we see that behind that boastful exterior and endlessly playful manner there might just be a hurt little boy. There's no such introspection for Captain Hook, who looms over the adventure with a terrible curse and a threat to return from the dead and bring his pirate crew, some of them with the most spectacularly hilarious names, with him. He's a terrifying villain and as he gets closer and closer to returning the level of peril definitely rises!

Saving Neverland is a story about believing in magic and adventures, about that child-like thrill of heading off to see what wonder and marvels you can uncover. For Peter Pan, life is all about adventure and excitement and that enthusiasm is quite infectious! Even as the peril deepens, it all feels fun and exciting and thrilling!

But it is also a story about growing older, and this is where the real beauty of the story comes from. Martha is an absolutely gorgeous character, and I really felt for her. With just her dad to look after her and her seven year old brother, Scruff, there's just been so much pressure put on poor Martha. The only way she can see to cope with it is to grow up, and to stop doing the things children do. No more games or sweets or bedtime stories or hugs. It is honestly so tragic, but she sees no option but to take on the responsibilities of adulthood at the tender age of ten. It takes all of the magic in Neverland to help fix Martha, and her journey through the story, not just across mermaid lagoons and mountain ranges but her personal journey is truly beautiful and emotional and important. We all grow older (except Peter Pan) but we don't always have to grow up.

So the only option is to embrace the magic of this gorgeous book, and grow down instead, or at least sideways, and to make sure we never forget the wonder and excitement of childhood adventure.

I did absolutely love the way Martha gave as good as she got from Peter Pan too. He can be a little sexist, that boy who never grows up, and it was so refreshing seeing him getting called out for it by such a strong and determined female character, who was there to save the day, or at least save her brother, not to darn his socks or spring clean his den! Her little jibes at him were lovely little pricks at the bubble that is his ego, even though it was clear just how much she cared for him. It's so clever of Abi to give us a main character who is at the same time a determined adventurer, explorer, rescuer and riddle solver and who also has such a strong maternal streak.

Scruff, her young brother, is to perfect compliment to Martha, always there to remind her that she needs to have more fun and magic and adventure in her life, but also giving her someone to care for and protect. Also his teddy bear, None-The-Wiser, somehow manages to steal every scene he's in without ever doing a thing!

My proof copy had some illustrations in by Geraldine Rodriguez.. Many of them were labelled as unfinished, but they are looking seriously cute! I'm excited to see finished editions.

A gorgeous book about the dangers of growing up and the importance of adventure. Saving Neverland is a clever and well-crafted update of the classic Peter Pan.