Peter and the Shadow Thieves

Peter and the Shadow Thieves
Author Dave Barry
Ridley Pearson
Illustrator Greg Call
Language English
Publisher Hyperion Books for Children
Publication date
July 2006
Pages 592
ISBN 0-7868-3787-X
OCLC 62895834
LC Class PZ7.B278 Pdh 2006
Preceded by Peter and the Starcatchers
Followed by Peter and the Secret of Rundoon

Peter and the Shadow Thieves is a children's novel that was published by Hyperion Books, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, in 2006. Written by humorist Dave Barry and novelist Ridley Pearson, the book is a sequel to their book Peter and the Starcatchers, continuing the story of the orphan Peter and his latest adventures with the Starcatchers.[1] Another book, Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, continues the "Starcatchers" series, which serve as a prequel to J.M. Barrie's classic novel Peter and Wendy. It was illustrated by artist Greg Call. Hyperion has also begun a series of chapter books by these creators, which spin off from the series, called the Never Land Books. In May 2008 the writers announced a fourth book: Peter and the Sword of Mercy.[2][3]

Plot summary

The book starts three months after the end of Peter and the Starcatchers.[4] Slank returns to the island with more of the Others, including a certain Lord Ombra, to reclaim the trunk of starstuff lost in the previous book. When they learn that the Starcatchers have taken the trunk back to England, they set sail for London. Peter follows, fearing for Molly's safety, and with Tinker Bell's help conceals himself on their ship.

Once in London, Peter does not know where to find Molly. After unpleasant encounters with beggars, traders and the police, Peter finally gets directions from J. M. Barrie to Lord Aster's house, and rescues Molly from Lord Ombra in the nick of time. However, Louise Aster—Molly's mother—has been kidnapped by the Others, and the children must find Lord Aster who is guarding the starstuff.

Meanwhile, back on the island, the pirates are hunting the Lost Boys. They capture the boys to use as bait for Peter, not knowing he is not on the island.

After Molly and Peter's escape, Molly takes Peter to her old best friend's house, where she introduces Peter to George, who soon become acquaintances. They begin to search for the site of which the "Return", a mystical taking a starstuff, occurs. Molly, Peter and George eventually go by themselves due to Aster's cautions, and are all nearly killed. In the end, Louise is rescued and the Return takes place, and Peter inadvertently destroys Ombra in the process. He eventually returns to his island and rescues the Lost Boys from Hook's capture.

Characters

Many of the characters from Peter and the Starcatchers are back for this sequel. However, a few characters are also mentioned in Peter Pan and Wendy, and some were created exclusively for Peter and the Shadow Thieves.

There is one point in the book where the authors introduce J.M. Barrie.[5] He gives Peter directions to Molly's house by saying "…it's the second path to the right and straight on until you hit the white house with two towers." It plays on the directions to Never Land in Peter and Wendy, "…the second star to the right and straight on till morning."

Differences from the works of Barry

See Peter and the Starcatchers#Differences from the works of Barrie

Ombra is actually derived from the Latin word umbra, meaning shadow or ghost.

References

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