Second Star to the Right

About a year ago, this new young author was runner-up in the NZ Schools Poetry competition held by Victoria University, Wellington. According to Newman herself (TikTok) she is “an aspiring LGBT author with a love for frogs and a tendency to procrastinate,” I didn’t know what to expect.

The premise is Wendy trying to save Peter Pan in Neverland, and to make things complicated, his mind is unravelling. So, I liked the idea, and yes, it was a good adolescent read. I can see it for those students who love to get lost in a fantasy world and more so for those, as Newman puts in the epigraph, 'For anyone who has ever felt lost and wished for a place to belong.'

It would be great to use for a junior book club read. Neverland is falling apart, a magical flute (that protects Neverland) is missing, Wendy befriends Tigerlily, and of course, Captain Cook is on his endless vendetta to catch and destroy Peter Pan. The exploration between these characters and their motives were complex and kept me reading.

Highly recommended for all students who love fantasy, adventure (and the old fairy tale classics).