• Peter and the Starcatchers

  • The Starcatchers, Book 1
  • By: Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson
  • Narrated by: Jim Dale
  • Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (4,415 ratings)

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Peter and the Starcatchers  By  cover art

Peter and the Starcatchers

By: Dave Barry,Ridley Pearson
Narrated by: Jim Dale
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Publisher's summary

Best-selling authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson have turned back the clock and revealed a wonderful story that precedes J. M. Barrie's beloved Peter Pan.

In an evocative and fast-paced adventure on the high seas and on a faraway island, an orphan boy named Peter and his mysterious new friend, Molly, overcome bands of pirates and thieves in their quest to keep a fantastical secret safe and save the world from evil.

This riveting adventure takes listeners on a journey from a harsh orphanage in old England to a treacherous sea in a decrepit old tub. Aboard the Never Land is a trunk that holds a magical substance with the power to change the fate of the world - just a sprinkle and wounds heal; just a dusting and people can fly. Towering seas and a violent storm are the backdrop for battles at sea. Bone-crushing waves eventually land our characters on Mollusk Island - where the action really heats up.

Peter and the Starcatchers is brimming with richly developed characters, from the scary but somehow familiar Black Stache and the ferocious Mister Grin to the sweet but sophisticated Molly and the fearless Peter.

Listen to the rest of the Starcatchers series.
©2004 Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson (P)2004 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

"The real lure is the richly drawn characters, especially the villains, who exhibit just the right amount of swagger and smirk." (Booklist)

"Jim Dale gives a one-man performance that is truly astonishing. He creates distinct voices for all the characters - pirates, women, British soldiers, and native tribesmen. Adults and children alike will enjoy this rollicking tale." (AudioFile)

Featured Article: The Best Family Audiobooks for All Ages


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What listeners say about Peter and the Starcatchers

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    3,046
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    962
  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 5 out of 5 stars
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    3,056
  • 4 Stars
    413
  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
    26
  • 1 Stars
    17
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,480
  • 4 Stars
    806
  • 3 Stars
    251
  • 2 Stars
    56
  • 1 Stars
    21

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A fast paced frolic on the high seas!

In the genre of telling the back-story to childhood classics this tale is tops! Ever wonder HOW Peter Pan came to be a flying boy? Or WHERE Tinkerbell came from? Or WHY Captain Hook despises Peter Pan? This is the first book in the brilliant trilogy by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson that answers these questions and more. The story is fun, inventive and fast-paced; taking you from the docks of London, to the storm-tossed highs seas to a far away island. Jim Dale's perfect narraration is as good as the award winning performances he gave in the Harry Potter series. This is, simply, one of the best audiobooks we own. When we have nothing else to listen to we grab this one - again! My two girls 9 and 10 never tire of hearing the adventures of Peter and Molly!

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45 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

My Kids Loved The Starcatchers Series!

Hours of great listening! My kids (8 and 11) and I started listening to the adventures of Peter and the Starcatchers in the car. They became so hooked (no pun intended:o)they insisted we keep listening mornings at breakfast before school and when cleaning up after dinner. We really enjoyed each of these books and have moved on to the Never Land series. These books worked for me and now my kids love to use their imagination listening instead of watching movies in the car.

Our sincere appreciation to the very talented Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson for this gift, excellently narrated by my favorite Jim Dale.

Do your kids a favor, turn off the TV, turn off the video games and turn on their imagination by listening to a really good Audiobook.

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39 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Hard to get 5 stars from me

A very fun story, I’m a 50 year old kid and I couldn’t shut this off. What a great story of Peter Pan. I will definitely get Book 2. I suggest this for any age you’ll appreciate the greatness without bad language, sex, gruesome violent.

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35 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best series since Harry Potter

Jim Dale could read a phone book and make it interesting, however when he reads an amazing book with unique and complex characters with a fantastic story the result is nothing less than mesmerizing. Just as he breathed life into the wondrous characters of Harry Potter, so does he give life and depth to the classic characters from the magical children's story of Peter Pan. This is a rewrite of that classic tale with particular care and attention to the emotional and psychological intricacies of the characters and a brilliantly detailed backstory of all the classic Peter Pan adventures.

I cannot recommend this series enough. You will never look at Peter Pan the same again.

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27 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A wonderful story all will love!

I first listened to this book because I love Jim Dale reading the Harry Potter series and he does NOT let you down here!! This is a well written fast paced book that keeps you going from the very first chapter!! I would reccomend this book to anyone, and the two following as well. They are amazing and kids of all ages will adore this adventure with Peter and Molly!

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21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Clever and entertaining

I really wasn't sure at first whether I could get into this book, but as it unfolded and connected to the Peter Pan story it became more and more enjoyable. I want to listen to the sequel now, and love Jim Dale's readings. I got into his narrating with Harry Potter and that's mainly why I listened to this.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book for the whole family

This was a great book. It took all the questions about how Peter became the boy who never grew up and answered them. It is read by the best narrator alive. My family and I loved it. Highly recommended.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Bought it for Jim Dale; regret it

I bought this because it was read by Jim Dale who I very much enjoyed hearing in the Harry Potter series. Even he couldn't save it. Plastic, pastiche, and silly - and not in a good way - are the words that spring to mind. There are many many other better kids books out there. Don't waste your credit, or your kids' time on this one or this series.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So much fun and fantastic narration

A beautifully told story with adventure and great characters, clever twist in the plot and the narration/voice acting is incredible.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Best fiction novel ever!

I actually don't read a tremendous amount of fiction. However, my daughter and I really enjoyed Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie. This book is a staged before Peter Pan is Peter Pan. In fact he starts as an orphan from England. This book is very suspenseful, and exciting. There were many moments in the story I just couldn't stop listening.

Aside from that the character development is incredible. It's sufficiently interesting but it doesn't babel on with too many details. The story itself if very clever. I would not ever describe it as childish. It really is very well written. I found it much more interesting than any of the Bourne series books. I highly recommend this book!

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6 people found this helpful