JULY 2021 - AudioFile
Narrator Katie Anvil Rich brings vibrant characters to life in Smith's reimagining of PETER PAN. In this version, Lily is Muscogee Creek; her stepsister, Wendy, is English; and their younger brother, Michael, is both. As the siblings are swept off to Neverland, their stubbornness, creativity, and love for each other prove to be sizable challenges to the mores of Pan's volatile realm. Rich's inventive delivery is beautifully matched to the world-building and characters. Through multidimensional portrayals of Native children, the Lost, and the Pirates, and the perspectives of Wendy, Lily, and Bell, listeners delve deeper into the magic and cruelty of Neverland, seen in a completely new way. Rich's warm tones and fervent pacing bring out the heart and intensity in this stunning adventure. K.S.B. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
★ 04/26/2021
Centering a mixed Creek and British family in this Peter Pan reboot, Muscogee (Creek) author Smith’s (Hearts Unbroken) smart novel follows two stepsisters on an adventure to Neverland. Twelve-year-old stepsisters Lily and Wendy have lived in Oklahoma since Lily’s mother, a Creek citizen, married Wendy’s British widower father. But Wendy’s father has taken a job in New York, the girls’ friendship is in disrepair over Lily’s unwillingness to tackle her fear of flying and make the trip, and it seems that the family will break apart. Enter Peter Pan, looking for his shadow and enticing Wendy and her four-year-old brother Michael to fly to Neverland. Lily follows shortly after, soon learning that Peter has changed from a boy who didn’t want to grow up into a brutal monster—one who kidnaps children, slays animals and humans alike, and mistreats his fairy companion, Belle. Lily and Wendy plan their escape, try to reconcile, and wonder if Peter might be redeemable after all. A sharp, contemporary retelling of a classic that puts the focus on the Indigenous kids this round. Ages 8–12. Agent: Ginger Knowlton, Curtis Brown. (June)
Shelf Awareness
"Socially conscious readers may most appreciate Smith's supportive portrayal of blended families and Native youth, but any reader looking for a brilliant, suspenseful fantasy adventure should also find Sisters of the Neversea thrilling and tremendously fun."
Booklist (starred review)
"While Smith wields Barrie’s storyteller voice, writing from a head-hopping omniscient voice that addresses readers directly, this is less a retelling and more a rebuttal, critiquing the problematic aspects of the classic—often quite overtly—and the consequences of such harmful influences are explored over the course of much action, adventure, and magical island exploration. An exciting journey in its own right and a necessary “recommend-along” for patrons seeking Barrie’s original."
JULY 2021 - AudioFile
Narrator Katie Anvil Rich brings vibrant characters to life in Smith's reimagining of PETER PAN. In this version, Lily is Muscogee Creek; her stepsister, Wendy, is English; and their younger brother, Michael, is both. As the siblings are swept off to Neverland, their stubbornness, creativity, and love for each other prove to be sizable challenges to the mores of Pan's volatile realm. Rich's inventive delivery is beautifully matched to the world-building and characters. Through multidimensional portrayals of Native children, the Lost, and the Pirates, and the perspectives of Wendy, Lily, and Bell, listeners delve deeper into the magic and cruelty of Neverland, seen in a completely new way. Rich's warm tones and fervent pacing bring out the heart and intensity in this stunning adventure. K.S.B. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
