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Never Never

A Tale of Captain Hook

Serena Valentino

Ages 10–16

Readers rate it 4.1 (9 on Hardcover)

257 pages · Released Jul 19, 2022

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LGBTQ+ themes

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A note for parents

This origin story reimagines Captain Hook as a sympathetic character, blending adventure with darker themes as he transforms from a boy longing for Never Land into a hardened pirate. While the story includes some violence typical of pirate fiction and references to loss and betrayal, it's not graphically depicted. The themes of growing up, belonging, and the cost of ambition will resonate with older middle-grade and young adult readers, though some darker elements and moral complexity suit teens better.

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From the publisher

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES • This swashbuckling novel tells the tale of a boy who grew up—one of Disney’s most infamous villains: Captain Hook. There was a time when James was a very brave soul, and one of the most feared and respected pirates to sail the Seven Seas… Before Peter Pan and Wendy. Before the Lost B... NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES • This swashbuckling novel tells the tale of a boy who grew up—one of Disney’s most infamous villains: Captain Hook. There was a time when James was a very brave soul, and one of the most feared and respected pirates to sail the Seven Seas… Before Peter Pan and Wendy. Before the Lost Boys. There was just a boy named James who wanted to get back to Never Land. As a baby, James Bartholomew fell out of his pram and was taken to Never Land. James is claimed by his parents just shy of seven days—after which he would have officially become a Lost Boy. Once he returns to London, he never stops thinking about Never Land. As he grows up, he hates his life in London, and everything to do with growing up and eventually becoming a gentleman. So he seeks a position on the ship of the infamous pirate, Blackbeard. On Blackbeard's ship he learns to be a cutthroat pirate, and eventually becomes captain of his own ship, which James is determined to sail to Never Land. With the help of the Odd Sisters and a bit of magic, he just might get his wish. But returning to Never Land comes at a price—and now that he's grown up, the whole world seems to be rooting for his demise…

Shelved under

  • Young Adult Fiction
  • Fantasy
  • Young Adult
  • Adventure

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ISBN 9781368025294 · Random House