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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
We gave this up as a read aloud. My daughter just couldn't get into it, and I didn't love it. Maybe I'll try again one day on my own. How can I not like Peter Pan?
According to Wikipedia, before The Catcher in the Rye (1951), YA and middle-grade fiction had not been a thing. Actually, The Catcher in the Rye was originally written for adults. It surprised everyone that troubled teens devoured it. The first novel that actually called itself YA didn't come along until 1967, The Outsiders, written by 16-year-old Susan Hinton.
So at the beginning of the 20th century, there were really only two kinds of books: books to be read, and books to be read to children. Examples in the second category are Alice in Wonderland (1865), Treasure Island (1879), and Peter and Wendy (1911).
Some of those read-aloud stories are great stories. But Peter and Wendy is written in the same condescending tone the school librarian used during story hour. I feel like I'm being read to, and that I'm being told the facts of life: that girls only want to be mothers and that boys never want to grow up.
So at the beginning of the 20th century, there were really only two kinds of books: books to be read, and books to be read to children. Examples in the second category are Alice in Wonderland (1865), Treasure Island (1879), and Peter and Wendy (1911).
Some of those read-aloud stories are great stories. But Peter and Wendy is written in the same condescending tone the school librarian used during story hour. I feel like I'm being read to, and that I'm being told the facts of life: that girls only want to be mothers and that boys never want to grow up.
Read this as a part of my library's family book club. We chose to read the abridged because the boys aren't ready for the dense and dated language of the original. I was pleasantly surprised by this version. It still felt like a novel, and all of it felt like it tried to stick to the style and "feel" of the original. The boys had a lot of fun with it.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Such a wonderful book to read with the kids. I hope they always remember these moments.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"All children, except one, grow up."
This is kind of a curveball, but I enjoyed reading Peter Pan. I'd only ever watched the movie, and even then, I forgot most everything that happened, so it was good for me to pick up the book and take a stab at reading it.
What can I say? It's a classic, easy to read (I mean it is for kids), but it was cool to remind myself of the story. As I followed Peter Pan and the Darlings in their venture to Neverland, I remembered the familiar characters of Smee, Captain Hook, and the dreaded crocodile. I will say, I was surprised at how dark the story is. Disney really lightened the tale in their rendition, but that doesn't come as a surprise. Honestly, I would classify Peter as a villain in this story rather than the protagonist; he's exceedingly selfish, forgetful, and cruel.
However, my favorite part of the book has to be Mrs. Darling. Her character is such a comfort in the midst of chaos, and her motherly nature and kindness really shone through. She has more personality than the other Darlings and genuinely cares for her children and the Lost Boys.
I'm really debating between 3 and 4 stars for this one, though. I think I'll settle for 3.75 (odd, but it makes the most sense to me).
This is kind of a curveball, but I enjoyed reading Peter Pan. I'd only ever watched the movie, and even then, I forgot most everything that happened, so it was good for me to pick up the book and take a stab at reading it.
What can I say? It's a classic, easy to read (I mean it is for kids), but it was cool to remind myself of the story. As I followed Peter Pan and the Darlings in their venture to Neverland, I remembered the familiar characters of Smee, Captain Hook, and the dreaded crocodile. I will say, I was surprised at how dark the story is. Disney really lightened the tale in their rendition, but that doesn't come as a surprise. Honestly, I would classify Peter as a villain in this story rather than the protagonist; he's exceedingly selfish, forgetful, and cruel.
However, my favorite part of the book has to be Mrs. Darling. Her character is such a comfort in the midst of chaos, and her motherly nature and kindness really shone through. She has more personality than the other Darlings and genuinely cares for her children and the Lost Boys.
I'm really debating between 3 and 4 stars for this one, though. I think I'll settle for 3.75 (odd, but it makes the most sense to me).
adventurous
medium-paced
The audio narrator (Jim Dale) was wonderful, but I did not like the story.