5 comments about The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog.

1. This book is so funny and heartfelt, but not over-the-top sentimental. I'm ordered a few for xmas gifts.



2. If you're a baby-boomer, you will love this book! It's a quick read: a time capsule, of sorts, about growing up in the 60's, the space race, burgeoning hormones and tweener crushes, beloved pets, what constitutes family and community and even *spoiler* bats in the belfrey. If you're currently suffering from holiday or garden variety stress or just want to time travel to a place guaranteed to make you laugh and maybe shed a tear or two, buy this book, sit back and enjoy!



3. I picked up The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog by Dave Barry because I used to love reading his column in the Sunday paper and because I love to read Christmas books in December. I read this book in about an hour and as soon as I put it down, I went to the store to buy my own copy of it.
   
   To me this story has everything to make it a Christmas classic. I thought the story had the feel and tone of the movie, A Christmas Story. It is a simple story about Christmas during a simpler time. It is funny, sad, and just a great story to read. I've taken to reading this book every Christmas Eve (since it is such a quick read) and I recommend it to everyone I meet (literally).



4. This book made me laugh a few times. It was amusing and light, pleasant, quick reading for the season. I won't recommend it for my book club, however, because there's just not enough there to discuss.



5. This is not in the same league as Dave Barry's other fiction novels, the best being Tricky Business. Unlike that masterpiece and the not quite as good Big Trouble, the main ingredients of eccentric characters and lots of humorous situations aren't what this book is about. There is the odd bit of humour such as not knowing where to put Frank, but saying this is a funny book that will have you laughing out loud is a bit of a stretch. The novel (if you can call something so short a novel) is a flashback trip down memory lane for those who were kids growing up in America in the 60s. No doubt if I was born twenty years earlier I might get a bit more out of this short story, I can appreciate the descriptions of growing up in that era but the nostalgia aspect is lost on non baby boomer generations. The numerous photos and advertisements padding out the short word count also probably add the memories for baby boomers and something they can maybe use as discussion points with kids of today. It's a nice story but nothing special and it is very predictable. If it's still in your local public library by all means borrow it but unless you're of the era it's set in I wouldn't pay money for it. A half hour read short story that's isn't up to the usual high Barry standard just isn't worth it, especially if you haven't read the others.
   
   You've also got to wonder why when both Frank and Walter were some sort of St Bernard cross, and there's even a picture of a St Bernard in the book that the publishers chose to put a Golden Retriever on the cover? I'm also not quite sure why they marketed this as an adult fiction novel when it so small on word count (even Barry's great Peter and the Starcatchers) children's series books are lengthier than this. This could easily have been marketed as a junior fiction book, I mean Barry's great children's novel Science Fair also had a similar aged child as the narrator of the story and got up to more adult aspects of life than Doug Barnes does. It's also novel length in size. I guess the fact it's set in the 60s when religion was such big a part of the community and other non modern day aspects the publishers may have figured kids can't relate but I wouldn't hesitate giving them a go at this. If anything the reading level required would be higher with the other books mentioned in this paragraph.
   
   Basic plot of The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog revolves around the childhood of Doug Barnes growing up in the 60s suburb of Asquont, near New York. He basically recounts a couple of Christmas's past, his family life, his younger sister's ageing dog Frank, ant filled car, school life, and the Nativity plays he was forced to take part in inside a building whose residents included a number of bats. The story is really too short to give away anything else but obviously being the title includes Walter the Christmas Dog you know that he'll make an appearance at some stage.

5 comments about Dave Barry Talks Back.

1. "Weasel is a funny word. You can improve the humor value of almost any situation by injecting a weasel into it."

   This book by Dave Weasel... er... Barry is an extremely funny read. It's a collection of his newspaper columns that will have you laughing over and over again, and annoying your family members with your constant quotations.

   He covers almost every topic here, from exploding animals to traffic cops to reader suggestions to doctors to drug dealers to television. It's all here.

   This may not be his best book, but it's really funny and a must-have for any Dave Barry weasel. Er... fan.




2. Hilarious! Some references are a little dated now, but still tons of laugh-out-loud moments - I loved it! If you're a Dave Barry fan, don't miss this one.



3. This is a collecton of his regular columns. They are funny, but not side-splitting. If you want to see what Dave can *really* do, try "Dave Barry's Only Travel Guide you will Ever Need".



4. In one word: FUNNY! I've got all Dave Barry's books and love them all.
   They make me laugh out loud. They all get five stars from me.



5. "Question: Dear Mr. Language Person--What is George Bush's native tongue? Answer: He doesn't have one."
   
   From "Ask Mr. Language Person" to the "Exploding Animal Institute" to Dave's classic announcement of his candidacy for the Presidency of the United States--his platform consists of a dramatic reorganization of the bureaucracy so that domestic affairs will all be handled by the Department of Louise, and foreign affairs by the Department of a Couple of Guys Named Victor ("Y'know, Victors, I wouldn't mind hearing that Fidel Castro had had an unfortunate accident...")--this collection of Dave Barry's weekly humor columns from the early 1990s still has the power to induce chortles, guffaws, and even the occasional cackle.
   
   The audiobook version is well-delivered by Johnny Heller. Just don't listen to it in public unless you don't mind people seeing you grinning idiotically or hearing you laughing like a ninny.

5 comments about Escape from the Carnivale: A Never Land Adventure.

1. Mostly more of the same from the writers of the Peter Pan Prequel books. More fun reading but mainly for kids.



2. Although this short story does not contain either of the two great main characters Peter and Molly from the masterpieces Peter and the Starcatchers or the sequel to that prequel Peter and the Shadow Thieves and its length is only a fifth at most of either of those two books, it's still a great read.
   
   Escape from the Carnivale allows a couple of the minor characters from the other adventures to have a bit of limelight and ultimately save the day. Teacher and the other mermaids, Fighting Prawn and the mollusk tribe, the Lost Boys and Black Moustache (now known as Hook) and other island residents do make appearances but this novel's pages belong mainly to youngest daughter of the Mollusk tribe, Little Scallop and James from the Lost Boys.
   
   The adventure begins with a bored Little Scallop, envious of her older siblings who get to go on adventures spying on Hook and the other pirates disappointed her father spends his time worried about them and not giving her attention. When mermaid friends her age decide to break the rules and swim out in the open ocean to a cave so they can get some pearls to make necklaces, Little Scallop decides to go along. It is not long before their lost and one of the mermaids (Surf) trapped in a net is hauled onboard a ship called The Carnivale and thrown in a tank with a number of other "freak" prisoner marine animals. The captain of the ship Crookshank is determined to capture more mermaids and other exotic creatures to perform in his show and sees the island as a great place to acquire new slaves. With all the Mollusk tribe up in the mountains at a Sun ceremony it is up to Little Scallop and James to come up with a plan to rescue their friend with the help of some dolphins and the other mermaids. Hook however wants the ship for himself.
   
   Escape for the Carnivale is aimed at a younger market than the Starcatcher Peter Pan prequel books but that doesn't mean it's not as good.



3. Have you ever wondered what was going on with the Mollusks and The Lost Boys while Peter was away having adventures in Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves and Peter and the Secrets of Rundoon? Well, this easy chapter book series (billed A Neverland Book) neatly fills that gap quite nicely. This story takes place in between Starcatchers and Shadow Thieves and features Little Scallop (along with others) on a madcap mini-adventure involving mermaids, pirates, a traveling carnival seeking new attractions, the infamous Black Stache (and his gang), dolphins, and of course the irascible Mr. Grin. We begin the story with Little Scallop wishing her father had more time for her as she goes off to spend some with her mermaid friends, Surf and Agua. All three are tired of being told what they can and cannot do because of their age, and as young children often do, they break all the rules to swim out to Shark Cave, forbidden to the two young mermaids AND Little Scallop (it's certainly not in the shallows where her father has told her to stay). So off they go...and no sooner than they are on their way than a raging squall comes upon them and they become lost AND what's worse, there is a ship (deathly dangerous for mermaids). Surf is captured and now it's up to Agua and Little Scallop to get help for their captured friend and in the process of doing so, they encounter a lot more adventure and danger than they bargained for...will they rescue their friend? You'll have to read to find out!
   
   Overall, this is a cute addition to the Neverland stories, though I would wager this is most appropriate for a slightly younger age range than the longer Pan novels Barry and Ridley have written. Escape from the Carnivale comes in at 134 pages and is a nice early chapter book with large spacing and type with an entertaining and easy to follow storyline that younger fans of Peter Pan and get into easily on their own (best for ages 4-8) and it would certainly make a great read aloud story for younger readers! I give it four stars, both of my kids loved it and we all hope that there will be many more of these to come...we absolutely loved reading more about the Mollusks, the Lost Boys and The Mermaids!!!



4. Have you ever wondered what was going on with the Mollusks and The Lost Boys while Peter was away having adventures in Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves and Peter and the Secrets of Rundoon? Well, this easy chapter book series (billed A Neverland Book) neatly fills that gap quite nicely. This story takes place in between Starcatchers and Shadow Thieves and features Little Scallop (along with others) on a madcap mini-adventure involving mermaids, pirates, a traveling carnival seeking new attractions, the infamous Black Stache (and his gang), dolphins, and of course the irascible Mr. Grin. We begin the story with Little Scallop wishing her father had more time for her as she goes off to spend some with her mermaid friends, Surf and Agua. All three are tired of being told what they can and cannot do because of their age, and as young children often do, they break all the rules to swim out to Shark Cave, forbidden to the two young mermaids AND Little Scallop (it's certainly not in the shallows where her father has told her to stay). So off they go...and no sooner than they are on their way than a raging squall comes upon them and they become lost AND what's worse, there is a ship (deathly dangerous for mermaids). Surf is captured and now it's up to Agua and Little Scallop to get help for their captured friend and in the process of doing so, they encounter a lot more adventure and danger than they bargained for...will they rescue their friend? You'll have to read to find out!
   
   Overall, this is a cute addition to the Neverland stories, though I would wager this is most appropriate for a slightly younger age range than the longer Pan novels Barry and Ridley have written. Escape from the Carnivale comes in at 134 pages and is a nice early chapter book with large spacing and type with an entertaining and easy to follow storyline that younger fans of Peter Pan and get into easily on their own (best for ages 4-8) and it would certainly make a great read aloud story for younger readers! I give it four stars, both of my kids loved it and we all hope that there will be many more of these to come...we absolutely loved reading more about the Mollusks, the Lost Boys and The Mermaids!!!
   
   NOTE: My appologies for the double posting, I accidently ticked the no button on the over 13 question...oops!



5. This book is designed for younger readers. If you have children who've enjoyed hearing you read aloud any of the Barry/Pearson Peter Pan series, this is something they can likely read on their own. A 2nd or 3rd grader who reads well would have no problem with this short and action-packed story.

4 comments about Blood Tide: A Never Land Book (Never Land Adventure).

1. i bought this book for my boys - age 8. they love all the peter books and they loved this one as well. great adventure and fun!



2. This is a Christmas gift so I haven't read it yet. However, the book is brand new and in excellent shape. My son loves this series so I expect he will be happy with this gift.



3. My problem is that I thought I was ordering the book in CD format, but got a MP3 format instead. Bummer. No way to return for another format. This place makes it very difficult to get results when you have a problem.



4. It's the beginning of another nice, sunny day when Neverland Island is struck by an earthquake. Overall, the damage is fairly minimal, but the Lost Boys' underground hideaway is flooded. Fortunately, the boys are given shelter by the Mollusk tribe, and they get to see their friends Little Scallop and Shining Pearl.
   
   The next day, after helping to clear up the debris, the children decide to go for a swim in the lagoon. It is then that James notices something wrong: the blue water is now a reddish color. Although concerned, but not wanting to appear silly to his comrades, James goes into the water with the other swimmers. However, his concern does not go unfounded when Thomas is attacked by a mermaid --- an ally of the Lost Boys and the Mollusk tribe. They tell the Mollusk chief about the surprising incident, and he promises to find out the reason behind the attack.
   
   Meanwhile, the children notice that the pirates appear delighted over the discovery of a round, wooden keg. Convinced they are up to no good (as usual), the friends become determined to find out what trouble Captain Hook and his crew is planning next. Then there's another attack and a kidnapping, creating further tension within the Mollusk-Mermaid alliance. As the alarming reason behind the mermaids' bizarre behavior is discovered, there is talk of war. Will the Lost Boys and the princesses be able to save the alliance and stop Captain Hook's latest dastardly plan before it's too late?
   
   BLOOD TIDE is Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson's latest book featuring Peter Pan's friends and foes in Neverland. Amidst the daring action and scary moments, readers will discover how the importance of teamwork and environmental awareness affects the characters' decisions. Fans of the Never Land series will not want to miss out on the Lost Boys' most important adventure yet.
   
   --- Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle

5 comments about Cave of the Dark Wind: A Never Land Book (Never Land Adventure).

1. As an avid fan of anything to do with the Peter and the Starcatchers series it only made sense for me to be excited about the NeverLand Books. The 2 books are not as good as the Peter and Starcatchers books of course but they are great companions to the series.
   
   If you didn't like the first one "Escape from Carnivale" don't worry "Cave of Dark Wind" is much better. I think the reason this is because Carnivale was lacking anything to do with real Pirate topics like treasure! Fortunately the second book Dark Wind has the topic throughout the story which makes for a much more exciting book. I would recommend to anyone who likes to read about Peter Pan or Captain Hook. Have fun!



2. Have you ever wondered what was going on with the Mollusks. The pirates, and The Lost Boys while Peter was away having adventures in Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves and Peter and the Secrets of Rundoon? Well, this easy chapter book series (billed A Neverland Book) neatly fills that gap quite nicely. This story takes place in between Starcatchers and Shadow Thieves and features James (along with the other lost boys and of course, Shining Pearl and Little Scallop) on a madcap mini-adventure involving a mysterious "monster", pirates, a cursed treasure, and the infamous Black Stache (and his gang). We begin the story with The Lost Boys learning of "The Taker" an evil monster living in the Cave of the Dark Wind and being somewhat interested in proving he too can have adventures, James becomes convinced that he can solve the mystery of The Taker and make the goats of Mollusk Island safe again. Along the way they encounter a lot more adventure and danger than they bargained for...will they discover the identity of The Taker? Is it really a monster? How will Black Stache and his gang of greedy pirates try to foil their plans and try to get the treasure for themselves? And more importantly, will they succeed? You'll have to read to find out!
   
   Overall, this is a cute addition to the Neverland stories, though I would wager this is most appropriate for a slightly younger age range than the longer Pan novels Barry and Ridley have written thus far. Cave of the Dark Wind comes in at 166 pages and is a nice early chapter book with large spacing and type (and some nice black and white pen and ink illustrations) with an entertaining and easy to follow storyline that younger fans of Peter Pan and get into easily on their own (best for ages 4-8) and it would certainly make a great read aloud story for younger readers! I give it four stars, both of my kids loved it and we all hope that there will be many more of these to come...we absolutely loved reading more about the Mollusks, the Lost Boys, the stranded pirates and of course the mermaids!!!



3. I read this book not because I'm a fan of Peter Pan's Lost Boys, but because I'm a fan of Karen Marie Moning's "Fever" series. Moning mentions a "Dark Wind" in one of her hints regarding the mysteries in the ongoing Fever books. I followed that clue, read this book, and was rewarded with a "two-fer".
   
   1. I learned what this Dark Wind is, and yes, it could be a clue in deciphering one of the Fever series' many ingenious puzzles.
   
   2. I read a thoroughly enjoyable children's book that I can now recommend to parents and children alike.
   
   Dark Wind starts with bored children who decide to do what they've been told not to do. Not a new theme by any means, but handled here with humor and a light hand in the "I told you so" message. Yes, they get into trouble. And yes, things in the end are better than they were previously for all the good guys. But throughout, it's an adventure for the characters and the reader, and one that never sounds dumbed-down or preachy. My only negative response is to the repeated mentions of Tubby Ted's obsession with eating -- maybe a tad overdone.
   
   This is an easy read, but (as an adult) I never found it boring. The writing is colorful, fast-paced, and the illustrations an added treat. Even though my other "Dark Wind" question was answered early in this book, I finished it anyway. It was a satisfying short detour from usual weightier topics.



4. The Never Land books are wonderful extensions of the Peter Series by Berry adn Pearson. The neverland books are an easier read with larger print but still entertaining.



5. We have read all the books in the Peter series, and had a whopping good time, I might add! Our favorite version has been the Jim Dale audio tapes--he could make repair manuals sound like a dramatic adventure, I am sure. This was our favorite of the shorter books, a good story, good chance to spend time with the characters we had gotten to know. It seemed a bit like a screenplay in parts, one good adventure after another, but it appealed to my boys. I appreciated a relatively fantastical but still believable plot. I'ld recommend all the books in order, though the Carnivale story was a bit odd for my taste, once you get to know the stories, you'll want to know them all.

5 comments about Dave Barry's Greatest Hits.

1. As an Irish person, living in a small town in rainy Ireland, it is unusual to find a book by Dave Barry..(hooray for Amazon). I don't know anyone who has any idea who he is, and why should they.. he is or was(?) a journalist for the Miami Herald, and is a well known funny man in the States, and no singular Irishman or woman has any reason to know of him.. and isn't it a shame. I love funny books. I have some great ones...but Dave is one of the funniest guys I've never met. This book is full of anecdotal ravings and mad perceptions but, you know he is really so funny, you don't care if he talks of giant carnivorous fleas somewhere in the mid-west, or helping his son with a science project waiting for the ants to bite. (ME thinks him an entomologist at heart).. but he has such a funny way of putting things, that no matter what the subject matter, you will read it and enjoy it. Let's face it, in this violent, crime filled world, isn't it still nice that you can have a smile put on your face!



2. Dave Barry isn't always funny, and I find he's better in small doses than in ... er... large buckets, but when he's good, he's good. Dave Barry's Greatest Hits is something to take to the beach and have a look at after one or two rum cocktails. It's light, jokey entertainment; the intellectual equivalent of watching, say, David Letterman. If you like Barry's Miami Herald column and are looking to read more, where better to begin than with the Greatest Hits?
   
   Troy Parfitt, author



3. I really enjoyed this book. I'm a big fan of Dave Barry, although I think he is much funnier in person.



4. This is one of those timeless humor books that holds up just as well today as it did when it was initially released 15 years ago! Dave Barry's mastery of the written word is at peak performance with this collection of columns. When they stuck the words "GREATEST HITS" on the cover, they were absolutely not lying.
   
   Sure, some of the events and people discussed within these pages may be dated, but if you were alive for those times (or took a history class in school) then you'll still appreciate a fresh and hilarious perspective.
   
   This book contains my all time favorite Barry column titled "Molecular Homicide" which tells the tell of the author having the flu and what happens when he is unable to get out of bed to monitor his young son's activities. This column alone is worth the price of the book. If you enjoy that column then there are plenty more that will tickle your funny bone.
   
   This is a good starting point for anyone getting into Barry for the first time. It's a book that's easy to pick up whenever you have a few minutes and since each column is only 2-3 pages in length you can always come back to it later without having to worry about remembering what you read previously. Though don't be surprised if you find yourself reading some columns numerous times! It's a perfect book to keep in the bathroom for those quick visits, or in the kitchen for when you're microwaving some food.
   
   If you make it through his "Greatest Hits" then I highly recommend "Dave Barry's Only Travel Guide You'll Ever Need," followed by "Dave Barry is Not Making This Up."
   You can't go wrong with any of his books, but I found the 3 mentioned to be the funniest.



5. I reread this book about once a year, and it is laugh-out-loud funny! My husband and I are currently reading a few pages each night, and we are enjoying every minute of it! Dave Barry's word choice, topics, and his ability to take everything to the extreme make each article great.

5 comments about Peter and the Secret of Rundoon (Starcatchers).

1. After I read the last page of this book, I really wished Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson would write more Peter Pan adventures. In this last installment, the Mollusks have to defend Mollusk Island against Scorpions, and Peter finds himself at Rundoon trying to save the universe from Darkness. Lord Aster, Molly, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook and Ombra are all in the book, as well as some new characters: King Zarboff the third, Shining Pearl, and Slightly, among others.
   
   Like the other two adventures, I like how Barry and Pearson have multiple plot lines that converge at the end. It gives the book more action and adventure, and the reader isn't left wondering what other characters are doing while Peter is away.
   I hope every child gets the chance to read this trilogy- it truly is amazing!



2. These books are 110% adventure- I recommend it for kids or adults. A very fun story that you can totally imagine as a movie...



3. A delightful story and conclusion to the Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson "Peter and the Star Catchers" trilogy. As usual, Jim Dale does another fine job of portraying the characters within this book. Borrow or rent the first book - then if satisfied, buy the series. If you enjoy great well read fantasy, you will not be disappointed.



4. Title: Peter and the Secret of Rundoon by Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry
   
   Pages: 482.
   
   Time spent on the "to read" shelf: 2 1/2 years.
   
   Days spent reading it: 4 days.
   
   Why I read it: I already read (and liked) the other two books in this series, so I wanted to read this one (obviously)!
   
   Brief review: Since this is the third book in a series, I do not want to give too much away in regards to the series. But I do want to give a little review. Peter and the Secret of Rundoon continues the popular Peter and the Starcatchers series that re-envisions the Peter Pan story.
   
   I went into this book a little nervous about the quality. Susan and some others I know read this book and were not as impressed as they were with the first two books in the series. So I thought I would not like it as much either. However that was not the case. I actually liked it quite a bit. Right there with the second book, not quite as good as the first book.
   
   Barry and Ridley continue to create a magical world that is fun to explore. I liked the change of scenery that this book offered (a desert instead of an island or city). This book also explains more about the origins of the Starcatchers and the Others. It even explains a little more about what the mysterious and powerful starstuff is.
   
   In my opinion this book was definitely worth reading if you enjoyed the first two. If you didn't enjoy them, you won't enjoy this one. The only real criticism I have about this book is that, as far as plot and storytelling go, there is nothing really new here. Sure there are some new elements (new bad guy, bigger picture). But clearly Barry and Ridley have a formula going. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. And I'm fine with that. This series is fun and lighthearted and is a good read for relaxing.
   
   Favorite quote:
   "You trust [Hook]?" said Peter.
   "I trust him to do what's in his interest," said Leonard. "Right now it's in his interest to take us where we want to go so that we don't toss him over the side, which I have assured him we will happily do at the first sign of treachery."
   Peter smiled and was rewarded with a personalized glare from Hook.
   
   Stars: 4 out of 5.
   
   Final Word: (Secret!)



5. I enjoy listening to CD Books while traveling in my auto--I purchased this series for that purpose and enjoyed it very much.

5 comments about Peter and the Starcatchers.

1. This was a fun read. I liked the way Barry and Pearson set up Peter Pan's back history and how they all came to be in Never Land.
   
   My only complaint would be that the trunk went back and forth way too much.
   
   I look forward to reading the rest of the series.



2. What a great book! The book on CD is excellent also. The book captures your attention and you are kept wondering what will happen next. This is a series so make sure you get the rest of the books. Very good young adult fantasy book.



3. I've been wanting to read this for years and I finally got around to it! I'm so glad I did! Nonstop action and great imagery abounds in this prequel to J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan. Peter is an orphan being shipped off, along with several other orphans, to the mysterious land of Rundoon. While on board the ship, Peter befriends a girl named Molly who, along with her father on a different ship, is protecting a secret shipment of Starstuff, a magical substance that gives great powers to anyone who comes in contact with it. Molly and her father are Starcatchers, part of an organization that tries to keep Starstuff out of the hands of the Others, who want to use it for their own gain. Things get complicated when the dread pirate Black Stache comes on the scene, and a great battle at sea lands Peter, the Starcatchers and the pirates on a tropical island where the war over the Starstuff concludes. May be daunting to some kids due to it's length, but is definitely worth a read.



4. fun! fun! and more fun! if you have ever wondered where Peter learned to fly, how Captain Hook really lost his hand, or where Tinkerbell came from - look no further than this book. the answers are all here, in this first of the Starcatchers series. though i have no idea what is in store from the rest of the books, i will definitely be reading them in the very near future.
   
   the story naturally centers on Peter, who is an ordinary orphan on a ship headed for Rundoon with several other orphan boys, a very special girl named Molly, and a mostly unpleasant crew. as expected, there are pirates and treasure and a deserted island, but there are also talking animals, mermaids and a little bit of magic. the story of Peter, Molly and the orphans really sucked me in and had me laughing and cheering them on. i felt like i was a kid again, or at least that i was on an extended Disney theme park ride!
   
   the writing is simple, as the book is intended for grades 5-9, but that didn't stop me from enjoying this as an adult. there was a slight bit of predictability in the conflict, but there were also moments that took me completely by surprise, so it was all in good fun.
   
   the audiobook was read by Jim Dale, who also narrated the Harry Potter series (although i didn't listen to those) and he had such excellent voices and narration that it really brought the story to life! i'd recommend this for anyone with children, or any adult that is looking for an exciting, lighthearted read.



5. I read this book to my 7-year old daughter, and we both enjoyed it. The book is well-written and the story is intriguing. It is created as a prequel to the Peter Pan story; however, that connection is loose and the story is good apart from it. There are some events that are weird and some that were slightly disturbing for a young reader. Overall, we liked it enough to begin reading the next book in the series.

5 comments about Peter and the Shadow Thieves (Starcatchers).

1. If you like adventure books that are scary, this is the book for you! Peter and the Shadow Thieves by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson is about a boy named Peter who has to save his friend, Molly, from a Shadow Thief who is after the starstuff (stuff that falls from the sky). The main characters are Peter who always taunts Black Stache, Black Stache (aka Captain Hook) who is always trying to catch Peter and Molly, Molly who always wants to help her dad, and Lord Ombra who takes people's shadows. This story takes place in Never Land and London. Peter tries to save Molly Aster and her family from the Shadow Thieves. A problem is that Peter gets put in jail and that slows him down. My favorite character is Molly because she likes to go adventures.
   
   I can relate to Molly because she barely sees her dad just like me. That is my text-to-self connection. Also, I felt sad like Molly when someone I knew died.
   
   I liked this book because I love scary books. My favorite part was when Peter dropped the mango on Black Stache's head! There was no part of the book I didn't like! If I changed anything it would ruin the book! I think that a boy who likes adventure, ages 11-13, would like this book. Don't forget to read the first book in this series, Peter and the Starcatchers and the third book Peter and the Secret of Rundoon!



2. This series is very creative but I found myself asking the author why he chose to make it into a corny book along with the creativeness. The whole starcatchers part of the plot i find very silly. Especially in the first book with the girl talking to dolphins. The book was good enough but could have been better. Read on an airplane maybe when there is nothing to do or when you have a lot of time on your hands. I thought it was a little boring but thats just my opinion, you should read it anyways.
   
   Courtney <3



3. Title: Peter and the Shadow Thieves by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson.
   
   Pages: 557.
   
   Time spent on the "to read" shelf: 3 years.
   
   Days spent reading it: 1 week.
   
   Why I read it: Susan and I really enjoyed Peter and the Starcatchers, a interesting re-imagining of the Peter Pan story. So we picked up the sequel as well.
   
   Brief review: Let me start off by saying that I LOVED Peter and the Starcatchers. I thought it was a brilliant telling of the origins of Peter Pan. Peter and the Shadow Thieves is a continuation of that story.
   
   At times Shadow Thieves is as good, if not better than its predecessor. At other times--not so much. The new enemy introduced, Lord Umbra, is a brilliant addition to the story. He is evil, cunning , and aware of his own power. Tinker Bell (who is introduced at the end of the first book) is also a great addition to the tale. Captain Hook (another fun character), while still in this book, is relegated to a side-story with the other lost boys.
   
   My biggest complaint about Shadow Thieves: the book is too long. Its dull at points, the story drags in others. I wish writers would learn to cull their works down to more manageable sizes. Has anyone else noticed that books keep getting unnecessarily longer and longer? But the nice thing about Shadow Thieves is that the chapters are blessedly short, a few pages at most. This keeps the story going, even in its slow times.
   
   I enjoy this retelling of Peter Pan. Its more about his early years and its told in a fun way. It was not quite up to the bar set by Peter and the Starcatchers, but it was still fun. Lord Umbra was a great addition to this cast of characters and makes this installment much more interesting than if he was left out.
   
   I would recommend this book to those who enjoy the story of Peter Pan, and especially to those who enjoyed Peter and the Starcatchers. It's young adult, but it has enough going on for a full adult to enjoy.
   
   Favorite quote: About Captain Hook--"A glimmer of an idea began to glow in his sinister mind, and the more he pondered it, the brighter it grew...Finally, the rage that had engulfed him for days was gone, and the joy of pure evil filled his calloused heart."
   
   Stars: 4 out of 5.
   
   Final Word: Memorable.



4. Just as good - maybe better - than the first one! Instead of a ocean and island adventure, this is a Victorian-era London adventure. After dark characters visit Mollusk Island searching for the Starstuff that was lost in the battle in the first book, Peter realizes that Molly and the Starcatchers are in danger. He travels to London to warn her and from there embarks upon an action-filled race to return the Starstuff to space before the Others find it. More action, adventure and fantasy with the addition of a pretty scary villain and some famous London landmarks.



5. Received item in a very timely manner...would certainly recommend this seller to others...keep up the good work! God's blessings and prosperity to you!

5 comments about Peter and the Sword of Mercy (Starcatchers).

1. My children and I really enjoyed the original trilogy. This is a wonderful addition to the story. Just as well done as the first books.



2. It's been twenty years since the cataclysmic showdown between the Starcatchers and the Others at Rundoon, and the world beyond Peter Pan's domain on Mollusk Island has changed a lot. The lovely Molly has grown up and married George Darling, raising three curious children, Michael, John, and Wendy. When a former Lost Boy comes to Molly and asks for her help investigating mysterious disappearances in the heart of London, the wheels are set in motion for a grand reunion that could save the world... or doom it to eternal darkness.
   
   Meanwhile, new enemies and old alike have designs on the peaceful denizens of Mollusk Island. With threats abounding on two continents, can even the indefatigable Peter Pan stop the evil forces allied against him?
   
   The 4th book in Barry and Pearson's marvelous revisionist look at the Peter Pan mythos, //Peter and the Sword of Mercy// not only brings the timeline forward into far more familiar territory, but it expands on the emotional history established in the previous trilogy. Continuing an enthralling, well-told story, //Peter and the Sword of Mercy// isn't as sharply focused as its predecessors, but the ride is so fun, you'll hardly notice.
   
   Reviewed by Glenn Dallas



3. young adult fantasy;
   fantastic series, this being the best of series yet!
   don,t miss this series of books that leaves you wanting
   more and more. this was a real page turner and cant
   wait to read more from this series.



4. I have purchased all the books in this series ("Peter and the Starcatchers", "Peter and the Shadow Thieves", and "Peter and the Secret of Rundoon", plus this one - the fourth in the series) for my children. My 10 year old daughter in particular very much enjoys these books, and has re-read all the books numerous times. I, "the Mom", have read 2 of the books and find them quite enjoyable even for an adult, as there is a large amount of humor (credit Mr. Berry!) as well as a well-spun tale. This book picks up right where "Peter and the Secret of Rundoon", book 3, left off, and takes the reader right up to where the movie begins with the child Peter and his friend Wendy. Dave Berry and Ridley Pearson are a wonderful duo as authors, very entertaining and captivating. This book (as are the 3 others) is very highly recommended by my entire household!



5. This last(?) book of the Peter and the Starcatchers series takes place over 20 years after the end of the previous book. We meet some more familiar characters: Wendy, Michael and John Darling, who are the children of Molly and George from the previous books. When Molly and George mysteriously disappear, Wendy feels there is foul play at work in the form of Lord Ombra and goes in search of Peter for help. Peter comes back to London with Wendy and with the help of a motley crew of characters, they attempt to find Wendy's parents and uncover Ombra's plan. Although still a fun, quick, exciting read, the story gets a little forced and tired. Kids who are fans probably won't care or notice, though, and will still have a lot of fun reading about the new generation of Starcatchers.