Tom is a patient at Great Ormond Street hospital; Felix is his best friend who continues to visit him even though Tom is grumpy with him; then there's Daisy whose mum is a doctor at the hospital. The trio end up in the garden where magic starts to swirl, creatures from the chapel come to life and the world of Neverland is calling. With the promise of returning to the hospital by the end of the day, all three dive headfirst into an adventure where they meet mermaids and pirates; they're accused of being thieves and then have to clear their names, but to do that involves taking on a terrifying Beekeeper and his army of wax creatures.
Oh goodness, gracious me, where do I begin with this book? It's a glorious new adventure that will whisk you away to a world of magic, hope and heart.

Tom is clearly very ill and is struggling with life in the hospital, being isolated and not fully understanding what is happening. He's even pushing away his best friend Felix. I love that the book gives us Tom's perspective on his illness but also shows us what it's like for Felix who is trying his best to understand what his friend is going through and to support him with this. Then there's Daisy who is desperate to spend time in the hospital in order to become a doctor like her mum, but is actually feeling very lonely. Although they don't know it, the three really need each other and Neverland needs them, which is why a small golden dragon and a bat are woken from the chapel in order to ensure they get there; something of course they can't do without a bit of fairy dust!

Neverland itself is a joy to revisit: whilst there are a host of new characters to get to know, it is also good to have familiarity in some aspects of this magical world (both for adults who are reading it to their children as well as hopefully encouraging a whole new generation of readers to dive into Peter Pan). Readers will delight at the map and the illustrations that are woven through the book thanks to Kristian Kister, and will take huge amounts of joy in getting lost in the pages of this truly wonderful tale.

I could think of nobody better than Katie and Kevin to take on this incredibly special book. To honour the brilliance of the original novel as well as paying tribute to Great Ormond Street hospital takes skill and is something the couple do effortlessly and with real warmth (although I know it will have taken much time as well as many tears and rewrites!). Their style is one that draws you in from the beginning and makes you feel part of every step of the story. It's a book that deserves to be savoured and is absolutely one that can be read and reread - I predict it will become a classic.

I fear that this review is never going to do this book the justice it deserves so I'm just going to end by saying:

Publishing on the 24th September, The Neverland Thieves is a book to pre-order, a book to savour and a book to treasure forever ... and yes, I did hug the book once I'd finished reading it!

🧚 'I believe in Neverland and I believe in me.' 🧚

I have enjoyed multiple of Katherine Webber's previous books, like Captain of Fates and Twin Crowns- I always love her writing! So I was very excited to see that this book was releasing this year! ☺️

I really enjoyed book! It was a fun read, with all the magic and more of the original Peter Pan world. I enjoyed reading it as an adult because of the nostalgia and the fun modernised twists this story had on the original, so I can imagine children would enjoy this even more! 💚

🧚 'Like my granddad, Captain Hook. Although he had his hand cut off by, well, it doesn't matter now. The point is, we don't currently have enough hook hands going around for all of us, so I say, it is a good plan indeed to save Silver Storm's hand!' 🧚

This book had everything, from pirates to mermaids, a fairy, dragon and a bat, taking inspiration from the original story with some fun extras. There were also some more direct references to the original story, like the pirate captain mentioning Captain Hook was her granddad and Daisy being one of the names of one of the children that go to Neverland. I enjoyed the changes made to make the story feel more modern, like the pirate captain being a girl and Daisy wanting to be a doctor. This felt like it would make it more relatable to children nowadays! 🏴‍☠️

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, in return for my honest review! ☺️

My oh my! What a way to return to Neverland! It’s safe to say as someone who grew up on the magic of Peter Pan and all the subsequent media surrounding The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up, this book had me before I even read a page. I couldn’t think of anyone better than Katie and Kevin Tsang to take us back to this wondrous island and The Neverland Thieves doesn’t put one little toe out of place in this rich world. In fact, they’ve breathed more spectacular life and depth into it!

I couldn’t write this review without focusing on Tom, Felix and Daisy, all of whom have such brilliant character arcs throughout The Neverland Thieves. Whilst Tom is positioned at the forefront, this really is an ensemble cast and each of their journeys is as strong as the other’s. From Daisy facing her loneliness, Felix coming to terms with Tom’s illness and Tom reconciling his life now battling his illness in the care of the marvellous Great Ormond Street Hospital staff to where they end The Neverland Thieves is exceptional character work from Katie and Kevin Tsang.

I’m sure a point of focus for anyone considering reading The Neverland Thieves is the balance of nostalgia to innovation in this Neverland reunion and I can say Katie and Kevin Tsang have crafted perfection. There are enough nods to the Neverland we know and love without it feeling like an attempt at a retelling or trying to revise what once was. This is a unique, beautiful, enchanting story that stands on its own two feet whilst politely tipping its hat at what came before. BRILLIANCE!

This is a MUST READ for the end of that first month back at school in late September. Not only that, but every purchase raises funds towards continuing the masterful work of the team at Great Ormond Street Hospital charity. Filled with meticulous illustrations from one of my favourites, Kristina Kister, I cannot recommend The Neverland Thieves highly enough. If I haven’t convinced you yet, all I will say is the marvellous Scorch, Squeak and Glimmer Dell are waiting to guide you to Neverland, and you’ll miss out if you’re not there to catch your flight…

Return to Neverland with Katie & Kevin Tsang in this heartfelt adventure full of magic, hope and healing. Celebrating imagination and the wonders of childhood, it reminds us all of the joy of being young and that, really, we should strive to never grow up. In The Neverland Thieves, two new magical creatures, Scorch the dragon and Squeak the bat, come to London for the ones who Neverland needs and who also need Neverland themselves. In this case, it’s Tom, his best friend Felix and their new friend Daisy. Together, they fly with fairies, face pirates on the Jolly Roger, make deals with mermaids and learn how to channel their courage with the Lost Boys and Girls. Full of nostalgic delight, this is a Neverland adventure for a new generation. It’s a perfect family read aloud, setting listeners up for the sweetest of dreams as they follow the second star to the right and fly straight on ’til morning.

Tom is a patient in Great Ormand Street Hospital in London. He hates being ill and can’t wait to go home, but as more treatments are discussed and doctors come and go, that dream seems to be getting further and further away. He feels awkward when his best friend, Felix, comes to visit because they no longer understand each other and don’t know how to share their feelings. Meanwhile, Daisy, the daughter of Tom’s doctor, is lonely as her mum works long hours at the hospital. With dreams of becoming a doctor herself, Daisy is determined to help others.

Faint twinkling music draws them to the hospital garden where Scorch and Squeak introduce themselves. With the help of some fairy dust, the trio find themselves on the way to Neverland. There are reports of items going missing all over Neverland. The Lost Boys and Girls need their help to return the items to their rightful owners and restore order to the island. Along they way, the children learn to deal with a whole host of emotions and how to face life’s challenges with courage and hope.

The Neverland Thieves has been created in support of Great Ormand Street Hospital, just as rights to the original story of Peter Pan were donated to the hospital by author J.M. Barrie. Tom’s story highlights the incredible value of this special place and the people who work there.

Fans of The Land of Roar will love this adventure into a magical world where anything can happen.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Children’s for an early read of this very special book!

Oh how I loved this book. It is so beautifully written and portrays a sense of magic that will transport you to Neverland with the same feelings that you had when you first journeyed there with Peter Pan.
The story revolves around Tom who is sick and a patient in Great Ormond Street Hospital and his best friend Felix and Daisy whose mum is a doctor at the hospital. The three children are magically whisked away to Neverland where they meet a whole host of characters both old and new as they are accused of being thieves and have to clear their names. The adventures that follow are so exciting and crafted so well. I loved the characters of the children and it was a joy to be back with pirates and mermaids. The new magical characters were brought to life beautifully and fit into Neverland perfectly..
This book is perfect for both adults and children, those who wish to return to Neverland and those who are visiting for the first time. This is definitely one to sit proudly on the bookshelf to be picked up again and again.

The authors do an incredible job of balancing pure, whimsical adventure with deeply moving emotional stakes. Tom's illness is handled with immense sensitivity, making the escape to Neverland feel deeply necessary and earned. The updated version of Neverland is absolutely spectacular, featuring imaginative details like cloud blankets and bubble masks alongside iconic favorites like sassy mermaids and the Lost Boys. At its core, the book is a heartwarming celebration of integrity, teamwork, and finding true friendship when you need it most. It is a fast-paced, funny, and profoundly hopeful read that will completely enchant a new generation of dreamers.

Thank you very much for the ARC!

I actually had this on pre-order but had to cancel it so was thrilled to receive an e-arc. It sounded so wonderful that I couldn't wait to jump in and it had a beautiful cover. I hadn't actually heard of either let alone read any of their books so I was going in blind.

I believe this is book one in a planned series so it'll be interesting to see where they go with it.

Never did I think Peter Pan required a sequel. And it's not really a sequel. It's a separate story that happens to be set in Neverland with fairies, pirates, and lost boys, although there are mentions of Peter Pan and Captain Hook, done in a very clever way.

It has a few illustrations which looked very lovely and I think will really help add depth for readers.

It's the epitome of magical. Katie and Kevin have brought the classic tale to life and given it a modern twist, but they haven't lost any of what made the original so fabulous.

It's aimed at readers aged 8 or up, and at 33 I am indeed 8 or up. I thought it might be a bit too young to really give me something to get my teeth into but it really wasn't. It's got a bit of everything and I enjoyed it. The link to Peter Pan made it feel very nostalgic and cosy and safe. I definitely think it'll appeal to readers of all ages and they'll all get something completely different from it.

The description of Neverland was fabulous. Obviously they've got the original to build upon but they haven't merely copied and pasted J.M Barrie's words, but expanded upon them. And it takes the magic of the original and expands it, making it even more magical - I can't think of another word to describe the magic than magical.

I particularly liked the link between Peter Pan and Great Ormond Street Hospital, that was a nice touch. I could see this being a book that lives at the hospital so the children going through difficult times can lose themselves in the pages.

I read it in one sitting as it was just so charming I couldn't tear myself away.

This is gorgeous. It’s so full of the charm and adventure of the original Peter Pan, but there’s so much more. The friendships between the character, the magical creatures you meet, the villains they fight - it’s all just glorious. Katie and Kevin have a gorgeous sense of storytelling and I really loved how this had nods to the original. This is all about being brave when things are hard, standing up for what’s right and how friendship, hope and those who we care about can be the things that change the world. Just gorgeous.

A generous 4 stars.
Tom, a patient at GOSH, is taken along with his doctor's daughter and best friend to Neverland. Tom's illness is mentioned without ever directly saying he has cancer, which younger readers might not fully understand. Two magical creatures from the GOSH chapel come alive to guide the new friends on their Neverland adventures.
I thought the real-world setting of GOSH worked well and the authors described the hospital very well.
The book seemed to be in two sections, and the ending slightly rushed - all you need is to believe in yourself and everything is find - left me feeling a little cheated. I enjoyed the Neverland characters and thought it was a cute nod to the original by having the characters mention Capt Hook - the new pirate is his grand-daughter - and Peter Pan.
I did enjoy the book and think there is space for a follow up. It was a modern day twist on the original story. A book that could be enjoyed by adults and children alike.

What a most glorious story of hope, resilience and teamwork. I have already started recommending it at my primary school.
Peter Pan updated but still with a beautiful amount of whimsy.
I loved this book.

Tom has been a patient at Great Ormond Street Hospital for some time and is beginning to feel isolated. When his friend Felix visits and persuades him to sneak out to the gardens, neither boy is prepared for the adventure that awaits them. After encountering a pair of stone creatures who offer to transport them to Neverland using fairy dust, Tom, Felix, and their new friend Daisy eagerly accept the invitation. As they encounter pirates, mermaids, dragons, and the Lost Boys and Lost Girls, the trio soon discover that they need Neverland just as much as Neverland needs them.

Peter Pan has always been one of my favourite childhood stories, so the opportunity to return to Neverland through a new story was one I couldn't resist. At the same time, I was slightly concerned that being inspired by such an iconic story this would have a lot to live up to. Fortunately, Katie and Kevin Tsang strike exactly the right balance. They pay tribute to the original tale while crafting a story that feels entirely their own.

I loved the decision to begin the story in Great Ormond Street Hospital. It's a thoughtful way of giving children who may be spending time in hospital a character and setting they can relate to. Tom's illness is handled with sensitivity and care, remaining an important part of his character without becoming the sole focus of the story. I imagine this could help many young readers who are in hospital like Tom to feel less alone, and give them a story filled with wonder to enjoy.

Tom, Daisy, and Felix make a likeable and entertaining trio. Each of them has their own fears and insecurities, yet they show bravery too, overcoming their worries to help save Neverland. The supporting cast is equally enjoyable. The pirates, mermaids, and other inhabitants of Neverland are humorous and engaging, providing plenty of excitement without becoming too frightening for younger readers.

Overall, I found this to be a thoroughly entertaining read with a genuinely heartwarming message at its core. It brings the magic of Peter Pan to an entirely new audience.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK (Children's) for an arc in exchange for an honest review

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC!

The Neverland Thieves is a super cute return to the world of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan. Tom, a young boy receiving treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital, along with two of his friends, fly off to Neverland to save the day in this sweet book full of magic.

The Neverland Thieves really captures the magic of Neverland, with dragons, pirates, Lost Boys and Girls, and a mysterious villain set against them. I particularly enjoyed the idea of the two unique statues in the chapel of Great Ormond Street, a bat and a dragon, coming to life to guide the kids on their adventure - that felt like a really nice unique link between the hospital and Neverland. I loved the variety of people they met and places they saw in Neverland - it felt like the authors were taking care to keep a consistently magical, wonder-filled tone. I also appreciated that there were nods to darker themes, especially with the mermaids, the Lost Kids, and the eventual villain; I thought those were handled with sensitivity and were serious without being too much for middle grade readers to handle. 

I really appreciated the sensitive way the authors handled the main character Tom's illness, and his conflicted and intense feelings around it, which were hard for him to fully grasp. I thought it showed a nuanced and in-depth take on the struggles someone with a serious illness faces, especially when dealing with it as a child. I also liked that Tom had the opportunity to be resentful of his situation and make mistakes, as well as learn from those mistakes and be a hero. I liked the conflict given to Daisy as well, feeling lonely because her mother has to work a lot, and finding friends to help. I did think Felix could've been slightly more developed as a character, but I appreciated him too. It did feel a bit odd that the pre-existing characters had been so completely written out, especially with no explanation on the part of Hook, even though his granddaughter is around. The only other thing that mildly bothered me was that the authors didn't use some contractions - in particular, "you're" - which, given that this was set in the modern day with modern characters, made the dialogue feel stilted and unnatural at times.

Overall, The Neverland Thieves is a fun adventure full of flight and fairy dust which I think young readers are going to love!

A fun, magical, hopeful story inspired by the legacy of Peter Pan and set between Great Ormond Street Hospital and Neverland.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

What a magical, heartwarming return to Neverland! As someone who grew up completely enchanted by Peter Pan, I had high hopes for this book, and Katie and Kevin Tsang absolutely surpassed them. They have captured everything I love about Neverland while creating a fresh, exciting adventure that feels entirely its own.
I adored Tom, Felix, and Daisy. Their friendship, courage, and personal journeys are beautifully written, bringing so much heart and emotion to the story. I laughed, worried, cheered them on, and was completely invested in every step of their adventure.
The perfect balance of nostalgia and originality, The Neverland Thieves is packed with magic, wonder, humour, and hope. Add in Kristina Kister's gorgeous illustrations, and it's an absolute delight from beginning to end. I loved every minute of it and honestly didn't want it to end. A must-read for Peter Pan fans and adventurous readers of all ages.
And as if that wasn't enough, the fact that the book supports Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity makes it even more special. Highly, highly recommended! ❤️
Thank you to the authors (Katie and Kevin), the publishers (Simon & Schuster Children's UK) and netgalley for the advance copy in exchange for this freely given review.

What a beautiful story, with great illustrations. I loved how sensitively but realistically it dealt with Tom's illness and its effects on his friendshis, but it never overwhelms the story. How wonderful to revisit neverland and see it through fresh eyes.

A new story set in Neverland capturing the magic of Peter Pan and Neverland. Great Ormond Street Hospital is featured heavily in the book and this is where we meet the three children at the heart of this story. Tom is in hospital and has a lot to deal with, Felix, Tom's best friend is having a hard time dealing with Will being so unwell. And Daisy arrives on the scene with ambitions of being a doctor.

There were nods to the original book but it was a brand new story introducting brand new characters. I loved the addition of Squeak the bat and Scorch the dragon. It's very imaginative and it was lovely seeing the children become great friends whilst trying to stop the true Neverland thief. We still have the lost boys but in addition we now have the lost girls and there's still plenty of pirate action alongside the mermaids as well as a new villain.

A wonderful, warm, magic filled adventure. Five stars. Thank you so much to the authors, publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

he magic and adventure of Neverland will never not be appealing, whether you’re young or old.

This book was both nostalgic and novel, filled with friendship, hope, adversity and of course - fairy dust. The book easily sprinkled its magic over me and transported me to Neverland, as we join Tom, Felix and Daisy on their adventure to save Neverland.

There was so much I admired about this book, and number one being the link between Great Ormond Street Hospital and the stories of Peter Pan. I had no idea that J.M Barrie gifted the rights to GOSH and isn’t that just utterly wonderful!

We start with Tom in the hospital, and along the way he discovers not only magic, but strength and friendship. It was an exciting, fast paced adventure which regularly doffed its hat to the original story whilst providing a new light on the original tale.

It was a lovely read and wonderfully did justice to the legacy. Well written and the illustrations too were stunning!

A slice of pure and utter literary magic! This is exactly what middle grade should be - full of joy, whimsy and wonder!