67 pages • 2 hours read
Peter Pan
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Book Brief
134
Novel • Fiction
Neverland • Early 20th Century
1911
Henry Holt and Co.
Middle grade
8-12 years
Super Short Summary
In J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan, Peter Pan, a flying boy who refuses to grow up, visits the Darling household and, with the help of his fairy Tinker Bell, takes Wendy and her brothers, John and Michael, to Neverland. There, they encounter adventures with Peter's group, the Lost Boys, and battle the villainous Captain Hook. Wendy cares for Peter and desires to return home. Peter saves them from Hook, but continues his eternal youth, visiting Wendy intermittently.
Fantastical
Adventurous
Nostalgic
Playful
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
359,525 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie is celebrated for its imaginative storytelling, timeless themes of adventure, and the whimsical character of Peter Pan. Critics applaud Barrie's inventive writing and creation of Neverland. However, some note that certain elements may feel dated or less appealing to contemporary audiences. Overall, the book remains a beloved classic in children's literature.
Who Should Read Peter Pan?
Readers who enjoy whimsical adventures, timeless fantasy, and themes of innocence and imagination will love Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie. This classic appeals to fans of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis for its magical escapism and enchanting storytelling.
359,525 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Captain Hook
Captain Hook
The primary antagonist and a pirate captain, he is known for his fear of a crocodile and his relentless pursuit of Peter Pan.
Wendy
Wendy
A young girl who travels to Neverland with Peter Pan and assumes a nurturing role among the Lost Boys while engaging in imaginative play.
The Lost Boys
The Lost Boys
A group of boys who live with Peter Pan in Neverland, known for their loyalty to him and their enjoyment of adventure.
J. M. Barrie's creation of Peter Pan was inspired by his close relationship with the Llewelyn Davies family, particularly the five young boys whom he befriended and who sparked his imagination.
The character of Peter Pan first appeared in Barrie's 1902 adult novel The Little White Bird, before taking the spotlight in the famous stage play and later adaptations.
Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!
J. M. Barrie gifted the rights to Peter Pan to the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London in 1929, which continues to receive royalties to this day.
Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!
134
Novel • Fiction
Neverland • Early 20th Century
1911
Henry Holt and Co.
Middle grade
8-12 years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.