August 1, 2014
The daughter of a famous pirate hopes to sail the high seas, but first she must survive finishing school. Twelve-year-old Jocelyn Hook prefers sword fighting, bawdy sea shanties and spitting over embroidery, hygiene and ladylike decorum. But then, as the daughter of one of the most feared pirates ever, Capt. Hook, her proclivity for dangerous, raucous behavior is to be expected. Quick thinking and her new friend, Roger, make finishing school bearable. But when Roger disappears and the headmistress reveals her big plan for sealing Jocelyn's position in high society, everything falls apart. Jocelyn's life takes an unexpected turn when Edgar Allan, a giant messenger raven, arrives bearing a letter from her father. She must travel to Neverland, acquire a ship and crew, and avenge her father's death by killing the crocodile. The world of Peter Pan, Mr. Smee and the lost boys is turned on its head with Jocelyn's arrival. Unfortunately, this potentially exciting treatment of the familiar tale is forced and uneven. While Jocelyn is spunky, flawed and endearing, the supporting characters are flat and uninteresting. However, there are bright spots. Jocelyn uses her wit and manners to defeat bloodthirsty cannibals, angry fairies and her own fears. An incompletely satisfying return to Neverland. (Fantasy. 8-12)
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Starred review from August 1, 2014
Gr 4-7-Feisty 12-year-old Jocelyn Hook, the estranged daughter of Captain James Hook, longs for a pirate's life at sea, but instead she's faced with finishing school, hairbrushes, and corsets. When a letter from her father arrives, foretelling his demise by the crocodile responsible for the loss of his hand, Jocelyn is eager to set out for the Neverland to avenge her father's death. Once there, she faces pirates, mermaids, cannibals, fairies, the Lost Boys, Peter Pan, and, ultimately, the dreaded crocodile. Through it all, Jocelyn learns to face her fears, believe in herself, and realize that she's more than just a girl. Schulz's debut novel is a rollicking page-turner that's more than just an action-packed adventure. Filled with humor and pathos, Schulz has crafted a warm and humorous tale of a young girl who yearns to know the parents she's never met. Jocelyn is smart, quick-witted, and stubbornly loyal, and she proves to be a worthy adversary to all her foes, especially the arrogant Peter Pan, who insists she needs rescuing. Richly developed secondary characters, especially the emotional Mr. Smee and Jocelyn's dearest friend Roger, populate the story, and the evocative language moves beyond simple description and engages the audience's imagination. Most notable, however, is the wickedly funny narrator who doesn't hesitate to add his amusing commentary and pointed dislike for the audience to the narrative. Whether a fan of J.M. Barrie's classic tale or new to Neverland, readers will be clamoring for more from this enchanting world.-Audrey Sumser, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Mayfield, OH
Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
September 1, 2014
Grades 5-8 Twelve-year-old Jocelyn longs to meet and sail the seas with her fatherthe notorious pirate, Captain Hook. Unfortunately, her guardian grandfather has other plans for the feisty girl, including snooty finishing school, where she is plagued by mean girls and etiquette lessons; but she also befriends Roger, a kitchen helper and fellow aspiring adventurer. Then Roger suddenly leaves, and a letter arrives insisting that Jocelyn avenge her father by slaying the crocodile that killed him. So she travels to Neverland and recruits an enthusiastic, if not-so-fearsome, pirate crew. The quest isn't easy. Novice captain Jocelyn confronts cannibals, fairies, and lost boysand must overcome fears and self-doubt, employing all she has learned to fulfill her father's request. Featuring a lively, colorful cast, and a droll narration with snarky asides by an anonymous, self-proclaimed pirate authority, this entertaining take on the Peter Pan story neatly blends action-adventure and comical and heartfelt moments. Jocelyn is a vibrant, compelling protagonist whose eventful journey also brings discoveries about herself and her familyand hints of further adventures. Glossary appended; final illustrations not seen.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)