Barry, Dave and Ridley Pearson. Peter and the Starcatchers

Barry, Dave and Ridley Pearson. Peter and the Starcatchers. Hyperion, 2004 [0-7868-4907-X]
In this prequel to Peter Pan, Peter is still a normal boy and is being sent overseas on a ship called "Never Land" with some other orphan boys. The ship they are traveling on also carries a trunk of VERY valuable treasure - a trunk of star dust. Unfortunately Black Stache is a pirate who also hears of the treasure so he and his crew (including Smee) take off in pursuit. It turns out this treasure of star dust gives people and animals certain powers, one of which is flying. What follows is a rollicking sea adventure with pirates, mermaids, lost boys, Starcatchers, battles at sea, a mysterious island and large crocodile called Mr. Grin. This 451 page book is a wonderful lead-in to Peter Pan. It explains many things in the Peter Pan story. This is a complete book but there is a follow up called "Peter and the Shadow Thieves" which I will also purchase. This series is a great one for our school since our spring play is going to be Peter Pan.