From the Archives: Books 45, 46, 47 and 48: The Starcatcher's Series

Books 45, 46, 47, and 48: Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves, Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, and Peter and the Sword of Mercy

Verdict: Fun, Easy Adventure Books!

Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves, Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, and Peter and the Sword of Mercy are a 4 book series that tells the story of how Peter Pan becomes Peter Pan. They are written by co-authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. The books are funny, easy, fun adventures. They are written for the Independent Reader or Grade 3rd through 6th, but with Dave Barry humor, anyone will enjoy them.

Book 1, "Peter and the Starcatchers" is the story of how Peter Pan goes from orphan to flying boy. The Starcatchers are an ancient secret society whose job it is to find and return Starstuff to wherever it comes from. Starstuff is a magical substance that gives humans many different powers; most notably, the ability to fly and be ageless. Peter befriends a Starcatcher in training named Molly while on a ship, thus the adventure begins. By the end of this first book he has become the boy who never ages, can fly, has a fairy, and lives on an island.

Book 2, Peter and the Shadow Thieves, introduces the next two books' main foe, Shadow Thieves, who want to use the Starstuff to destroy earth and regain their power of darkness over the universe. As the adventure continues more pieces of the traditional Peter Pan are put into place. This book gives Peter the ability for his shadow to detach from himself, the introduction of George Darling, and the naming of Never Land.

Book 3, Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, continues with an adventure involving the Shadow Thieves and completes Peter's transformation. Peter learns his last name is Pan. He also acquires the Lost Boys, who never age alongside him. The Pirates are stranded on the island, with their ship. Really only a few pieces are missing to complete the traditional legend.

Book 4, Peter and the Sword of Mercy,  is entertaining but only okay. To be quite honest, Barry and Pearson should have stopped at book 3. The last book tied up the story and left the way clear for the classic tale of Peter Pan to occur. However with this book, which takes place 23 years later, that chance is ruined as Peter and Wendy go on an entirely new adventure. 

Overall I really enjoyed reading these books. They are well-written, funny, and great stories. More are to come and I am excited to read them. Read them yourself, or give them to a kid you know. They are worth it.