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Library | Call Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
Searching... Dallas Public Library | + BCD - BARRY | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Monmouth Public Library | CD J Fic Barry, D. | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Woodburn Public Library | Barry | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
Aidan and Sarah Cooper have no idea what they're getting into one afternoon when they discover a mysterious coded document in a secret compartment of an antique English desk their father recently bought at an auction. Something about the document seems familiar to Sarah, and that night she realizes what it is: the document seems to be referring to some books she has read--the Starcatchers series, about the origin of Peter Pan. But how could that be? The document seems far older than the books. And of course, the books are just stories....
Curious, Sarah and Aidan begin to decipher the mysterious document. At first it's a game--unraveling the mystery piece by piece, each piece leading them to a new, deeper puzzle.
But soon the game turns strange--and scary. They discover that the "stories" are real, and that what they thought was a fictional battle between good and evil is still going on. And the scariest part is: they have become part of it.
Pursued by a being that can take any form and will stop at nothing to get what it wants from them, Aidan and Sarah embark on a desperate, thrilling quest for help--a quest that leads them to some unforgettable people in some unlikely places, including one that's not supposed to exist at all. At each step they must solve new puzzles and escape new dangers, all the while knowing that if they fail, the evil they are fleeing will be let loose on an unsuspecting world.
Author Notes
Dave Barry was born in Armonk, New York on July 3, 1947. He received an English degree from Haverford College in 1969. His early attempts at small-town journalism for the Daily Local News in West Chester, Pennsylvania, were directed towards local matters, such as zoning and sewage. In 1975, he briefly attempted to teach business writing to business people. Since then, he has worked as a professional humorist.
For many years he wrote a newspaper column that appeared in more than 500 newspapers and for which he won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary. He is the author of numerous fiction, nonfiction, and young adult books. His novels include Big Trouble, Tricky Business, Lunatics, and Insane City. His nonfiction works include Dave Barry's Complete Guide to Guys, Dave Barry Slept Here: A Sort of History of the United States, I'll Mature When I'm Dead, You Can Date Boys When You're Forty: Dave Barry on Parenting and Other Topics He Knows Very Little About, and Live Right and Find Happiness (Although Beer Is Much Faster): Life Lessons and Other Ravings from Dave Barry. His young adult books include the Starcatchers series and the Never Land series.
Dave Barry's title, Best. State. Ever, made the New York Times bestseller list in 2016.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-8-In the authors' latest foray into Never Land, siblings Aidan and Sarah Cooper aren't expecting to discover a coded message in the hidden compartment of an antique desk. But once they crack the code, the teens find themselves on a journey into the books in the "Starcatchers" series (Hyperion), discovering that the stories are indeed real and that they must hurry to stop a golden box of starstuff from getting into the wrong hands. Along the way, they meet up with J.D. Aster, the reluctant descendant of Molly and Wendy Aster; narrowly escape the police; and set off an East Coast search for their whereabouts. This novel doesn't maintain the wonderful humor of the original series, and much of the story seems to be a setup for later installments. The kinetic journey seems far-fetched, even for this series, and the stop-and-go plot skips from one madcap escape to the next with little cohesion or true purpose. Aidan and Sarah also seem a bit immature for their ages. Hopefully the next book will provide the plot, humor, and character development that the authors are known for.-Necia Blundy, Marlborough Public Library, MA (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Pearson and Barry bring their Starcatchers series into the modern day, injecting it with a dose of metafiction in the process. Siblings Sarah and Aidan Cooper, ages 17 and 15, know all about Peter Pan's secret origin, having read the Starcatchers books when they were younger, but they never dreamed it could be real until they discover a riddle hidden in an old desk. Following the clues while on vacation in England, they find the last stash of magical starstuff on Earth, only to be stalked by the malevolent Lord Ombra. To protect themselves and keep the starstuff from Ombra, they track down the remnants of the Starcatchers and travel to Never Land, where they're swept up in the ongoing conflict between Peter Pan and Captain Hook. The book's joyful sense of adventure and wonder is tempered somewhat by the constant pursuit of authorities and parental figures, as well as scenes set in Disney World that seem to be designed to remind readers that runaway children are serious business in this day and age. Nonetheless, it's a worthy complement to the series. Ages 10-up. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
In 1905, all the starstuff--a magical flying powder--was moved to Never Land. More than a century later, siblings Sarah, seventeen, and Aidan, fifteen, discover a hidden stash and race to protect the powerful dust from evil Ombra. This spin-off of the Starcatchers series is rooted in the modern world, but with dated references. (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Captain Hook gets an iPad in Barry and Pearson's latest collaboration.Teenage siblings Aidan and Sarah come across a piece of paper with mysterious instructions that Sarah realizes corresponds with her old Peter and the Starcatchers novels. After a dangerous scavenger hunt through London (where their family coincidently goes on vacation) Aidan and Sarah find themselves in possession of the last cache of existing starstuff, the glitter that powers Never Land. Turns out that their favorite fantasy series is actually true. Unfortunately, their discovery attracts the attention of evil shadow-stealer Lord Ombra, who begins stalking them. It is only when they seek the help of one of the Darling descendants Disney that the brother and sister discover a portal to the real Never Land (in Walt Disney World, of course). There they have the misfortune of meeting Hook, who steals the aforementioned "magic... picture thing." But they also team up with the mythical Peter and bring him back to their world to try and defeat Ombra once and for all. While the authors take obvious delight in referencing their popular series, no prior knowledge is necessary in order to enjoy this rollicking page-turner.Barry and Pearson effectively pull off the difficult trick of penning a stand-alone title that fans will adore while simultaneously causing newbies to flock back to their previous joint workspretty nifty, that. (Fantasy. 10 up)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Bringing the Starcatchers series into the twenty-first century, this chapter book features Sarah and her brother, Aidan, who find a cryptic note in an antique desk and follow the clues to London, Princeton, and Orlando. Along the way, they clash with evil Lord Ombra, find an ally in Molly Darling's great-great-great nephew, and discover Einstein's part in the plan. The plot is a thrill ride of action and adventure, with plenty of chase scenes and (no surprise here) a trip to Never Land. The ending leaves a major factor unresolved, encouraging fans to hope for another sequel.--Phelan, Caroly. Copyright 2010 Booklist