Peter and the Sword of Mercy

Title: Peter and the Sword of Mercy
Author: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Hannah's Rating: 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy

Summary: "The year is 1901—it’s been twenty-three years since Peter and the Lost Boys returned from Rundoon. Since then, nobody on the island has grown a day older, and the Lost Boys continue their friendship with the Mollusk tribe and their rivalry with Captain Hook. Meanwhile, in London, Molly has married George Darling and is raising three children: Wendy, Michael, and John. One night, a visitor appears at her door; it’s James, one of Peter’s original Lost Boys. He is now working for Scotland Yard and suspects that the heir to England’s throne, Prince Albert Edward, is under the influence of shadow creatures. These shadow creatures are determined to find a secret cache of starstuff, which fell to London many centuries ago. The starstuff is hidden in an underground vault, which has only one key: the Sword of Mercy, a legendary weapon kept with the crown jewels. Molly is determined to locate and protect, but when she suddenly goes missing, it is up to her eleven-year-old daughter, Wendy, to keep it out of the Others’ clutches. Wendy has heard her mother’s stories of a flying boy named Peter Pan, and he may be her only hope of saving the world from a shadowy doom. . . ."

Hannah's Review: I like this book because Peter meets Wendy, Molly's daughter.  My favorite part of the book was when Peter rescued Wendy because Wendy was falling from the flying train.

I would recommend this book to any kid who likes adventures and Peter Pan. It is recommended for 4th-6th graders(age 9+), but I was able to read it in 2nd Grade (age 8).

This is the fourth book in the series.  The fifth book in this series, The Bridge to Never Land, will be released in June 2012 and hopefully I can check it out of the library, read it, and share my review here on this site.

Peter and the Secret of Rundoon

Title: Peter and the Secret of Rundoon
Author: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Hannah's Rating: 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy

Summary: "In this action-packed third installment in the Starcatchers series, Peter and Molly find themselves in the dangerous land of Rundoon, ruled by an evil king who enjoys watching his pet snake consume those who displease him. But that’s just the beginning of problems facing our heroes, who once again find themselves pitted against the evil shadow-creature Lord Ombra in a struggle to save themselves, not to mention the planet. It’s a wild desert adventure, with rockets, carpets, and camels all flying through the air, zooming toward an unforgettable climax... "

Hannah's Review: I like this book because everything is exciting with the rocket.  My favorite part of the book was when Peter saved Tinkerbell because she was going to drown.

I would recommend this book to any kid who likes adventures and Peter Pan. It is recommended for 5th graders(age 10+), but I was able to read it in 2nd Grade (age 8).

This is the third book in the series.

Peter and the Shadow Thieves

Title: Peter and the Shadow Thieves
Author: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Hannah's Rating: 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy

Summary: "In this riveting and adventure-packed follow-up to Peter and the Starcatchers, we discover Peter leaving the relative safety of Mollusk Island—along with his trusted companion Tinker Bell—for the cold, damp streets of London. On a difficult journey across the sea, he and Tink discover the dark and deadly, slithering part-man/part-creature Lord Ombra. It seems that the dreaded Ombra has a variety of mysterious powers including the ability to make shadows disappear. When Peter reaches London, he sets out to find the indomitable Molly. Together they must combat Ombra’s terrible forces to both protect the Starcatchers and the treasured starstuff and most importantly to rescue Molly’s mother from the clutches of evil."

Hannah's Review: I like this book because the shadow thieves are interesting but the leader is scary (but not too scary though!).  My favorite part of the book was when Peter saved Molly because it was cool.

I would recommend this book to any kid who likes adventures and Peter Pan. It is recommended for 5th graders, but I was able to read it in 2nd Grade.

This is the second book in the series.

Peter and the Star Catchers

Title: Peter and the Star Catchers
Author: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Hannah's Rating: 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy

Summary: "Don't even think of starting this book unless you're sitting in a comfortable chair and have lots of time. A fast-paced, impossible-to-put-down adventure awaits as the young orphan Peter and his mates are dispatched to an island ruled by the evil King Zarboff. They set sail aboard the Never Land, a ship carrying a precious and mysterious trunk in its cargo hold-and the journey quickly becomes fraught with excitement and danger. Discover richly developed characters in the sweet but sophisticated Molly, the scary but familiar Black Stache, and the fearless Peter. Treacherous battles with pirates, foreboding thunderstorms at sea, and evocative writing immerse the reader in a story that slowly and finally reveals the secrets and mysteries of the beloved Peter Pan."

Hannah's Review: I LOVE this book because it's so magical and cool.  My favorite part of the book was when Peter finds out about the star catchers because it's cool that he can fly permanently.

I would recommend this book to any kid who likes adventures and Peter Pan. It is recommended for 5th graders, but I was able to read it in 2nd Grade.

This is the first book in the series.

about the authors: Ridley Pearson, Dave Barry

Ridley Pearson began writing at the age of ten when he taught himself to touch type and found himself with nothing to type. ... Ridley is the #1 nationally bestselling author of a dozen YA novels and picture books, including the Peter and the Starcatchers series and the Neverland Books. ... He and his wife, Marcelle, have two daughters, Paige and Storey. (That's right: page and story.)

Dave Barry has written 30 or so books. Most of them are for adults, but he wrote Peter and the Starcatchers with his fellow band member, Ridley Pearson. I don't think my parents would like me to read any of his other books except the ones about Peter Pan and Neverland.

Betsy's Wedding

Title: Betsy's Wedding
Author: Maud Hart Lovelace
Hannah's Rating: 5 stars
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Summary: "Ever since Betsy first met Joe, there's been something special between them. And when Betsy returns home after a tour of Europe, Joe is waiting at the dock, ready to propose. After a year's separation, Betsy and Joe are determined never to be apart again. But as Betsy discovers, marriage isn't all candlelight, kisses and roses. There's cooking, ironing, and budgeting as well-not to mention forging her career as a writer. But Betsy has always thrived on challenge. And her life remains as full of love and laughter as it's been since she was a little girl living on Hill Street in the first of the classic Betsy-Tacy books."

Hannah's Review: I like this book because she gets married to Joe.  My favorite part of the book was when she learned to cook.

I would recommend this book to any girl who likes adventures and funny stories and friendship.

This is the tenth and final book in the Betsy-Tacy Book Series by Maud Hart Lovelace.

Betsy and the Great World

Title: Betsy and the Great World
Author: Maud Hart Lovelace
Hannah's Rating: 5 stars
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Summary: "Betsy has dreamed of seeing the great world ever since she was a little girl growing up in Deep Valley, Minnesota. Now twenty-one years old, she's finally getting her wish! From Munich to Venice, Paris to London, Betsy's grand tour of Europe is filled with adventure-and as a budding young writer, she is determined to make the most of the experience. But wherever she goes, Betsy can't help thinking about her estranged sweetheart, Joe Willard. Can she find a way to make amends, an ocean away from home?"

Hannah's Review: I like this book because it's so exciting to hear about all the places she went.  My favorite part of the book was when she went home.

I would recommend this book to any girl who likes adventures and funny stories and friendship.

This is the ninth book in the Betsy-Tacy Book Series by Maud Hart Lovelace.