Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Weir (Artemis for adults) and Andersen (the Sarah's Scribbles series for adults) team up to bring Weir's early webcomic to print in this fantasy mash-up that pitches together Wendy Darling, Dorothy Gale, and Alice Liddell as teenagers diagnosed with "dissociative psychosis." In 1910, the trio arrives at Cheshire Crossing, an English boarding school/research facility where they are the only patients-the doctor believes that they really can travel to other worlds and is soon proven correct. Alice uses Dorothy's slippers to travel to Oz, and Wendy is drawn along as she attempts to stop Alice. It's not long before all three and their umbrella-wielding caretaker face off against the Wicked Witch of the West and Captain Hook in an adventure that spans Earth, Neverland, Wonderland, and Oz. Andersen's large-eyed characters are reminiscent of manga and scenes convey the crux of each world, but Captain Hook is portrayed as the lone protagonist of color, and the story retains stereotypical images of Native Americans in Neverland. Other elements-Dorothy's history undergoing "electric shocks" in sanitariums, a Peter Pan aged to his teenage years and feeling "physical needs"-seem aimed at an audience older than the stated age range. Ages 8-12. (July) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up--Dorothy from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Alice of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and Peter Pan's Wendy are now teens and very misunderstood--no one else believed their wild stories, and they were diagnosed as delusional. However, the teachers at the boarding school Cheshire Crossing believe them and know that each one of them possesses amazing powers. When the girls' fantasy worlds collide and Captain Hook and the Wicked Witch of the West band together, the three teens must harness their talents to save humanity. Weir, author of the sci-fi book The Martian, and Andersen, known for her funny webcomic Sarah's Scribbles, may seem an unlikely pair, but they pull off this story admirably if not perfectly. The world-hopping is at times confusing, and the character of Nanny is unnecessary. Several swear words and references to sex make the tale more appropriate for a YA audience, though the charming illustrations might attract younger readers. The art is appealing, with eye-catching details. A lovely red poppy motif appears throughout the narrative, and Andersen uses bold colors to depict the fantasy realms. The epilogue hints that the girls' adventures are not done, with another familiar villain ready to take center stage. VERDICT A solid purchase for most collections, as reimagined fairy tales are always popular and Weir and Andersen are well-known names.--Nancy McKay, Ella Johnson Memorial Library, Hampshire, IL
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
The action of this graphic fantasy takes place Second Star to the Right, straight on through the Looking Glass, in a place that is definitely not Kansas anymore!Novelist Weir (yes, the Weir of The Martian fame) and cartoonist/illustrator Andersen's deliciously funny debut team-up reunites the heroines from three of the Victorian era's most memorable children's books and sends them on a rollicking adventure. All teenagers, Wendy Darling, Dorothy Gale, and Alice Liddell are united at a special research facility where their parents send them to be educated. Under the tutelage of the enigmatic Dr. Rutherford and the ever watchful eye of a certain nanny who flies via umbrella, each girl discovers her powers and a sense of personal agency as they team up to free their respective fantasy lands from the combined menace of the Wicked Witch of the West and Capt. Hook. Each heroine emerges as a fully three-dimensional protagonist with a distinctive personality that enables her to feel both timeless and timely. The tart-tongued Alice is not averse to dropping the occasional "#%$@," while tomboyish Wendy is as battle savvy as Peter ever was. Andersen's delightful cartoon drawing style meshes perfectly with Weir's prose, allowing the work to broaden its appeal beyond middle graders to young adults and adults. In the illustrations, Alice and Wendy both present white while Dorothy has brown skin.A shrewd and spirited adaptation that will leave audiences hoping for another installment. (Fantasy. 10-adult) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
