The book “Peter Pan,” by J. M. Barrie starts off with the quote “All children, except one, grow up”. Everyone will eventually reach adulthood, and childhood is just a short moment in life. Capturing the essence of childhood, “Peter Pan” and its wondrous stories of Neverland brings back exciting childhood memories of the readers, portraying a world of eternal childhood. Neverland and Peter Pan encourages detachment from reality, and gives an opportunity to experience a world without reality’s struggles. Through describing the vast adventures in Neverland, and the characters’ eventual return to reality, “Peter Pan” makes readers recognize how childhood is certainly a memorable time in life, and highlights the importance of cherishing the magnificent dreams of youth.

As an ordinary family, Wendy and her siblings, John and Michael are playful children full of dreams. Their mother, Mrs. Darling, passes on her beliefs towards a magical character, Peter Pan of Neverland. The young boy of the Neverlands, Peter Pan, and his fellow fairy Tinker Bell’s arrival to this family prompts the young children’s minds, and opens up their dreams of the Neverlands. But as the story progresses, Wendy experiences inner conflicts in deciding whether to grow up as a woman or to stay as a dreamful young girl. Such inner conflicts are common amongst children growing up, as they are in the phase of understanding who they are as an individual in life. Wendy contradicts with Peter Pan, who is still a young boy trapped in ‘Neverland,’ blinded from reality. In the meanwhile, the daring adventures of Peter Pan brings Wendy and her siblings to a conflict against Captain Hook, a pirate in the Neverlands. Through these dangerous but thrilling events of the Neverlands, Wendy learns about the reality of having to grow up, although there are wondrous and lively memories in childhood. On the other hand, Peter Pan decides he will stay in Neverland, as he doesn’t want to grow up and become an adult. The process of Wendy and her siblings finishing the adventures in the Neverlands and returning home to face the reality shows the short but impactful memories one may have with their childhood, but also the fact that they will have to grow up into an adult of the reality at the end of this childhood adventure as well. The story expresses both the unforgettable marvels of childhood, and the theme ‘everyone has to grow up once they finish their childhood adventures’. This theme may be hard-hitting, and harsh. But as Wendy’s decision to become an adult shows, it is possible to understand that there will be a new chapter in reality once you grow up. It also shows how one should learn how to cherish these memories of childhood, to base it in their personal growth and become an even more wondrous and hopeful person in life no matter how frightening growing up may be.

As a teenage highschool student growing up, it was possible to empathize with the characters who are feeling inner conflicts and hesitation towards growing up. The adventures in Neverland helped me to remember my past memories as a child who thought I could do anything in life. More importantly, it gives bravery to ones who are struggling to grow up, due to their fear towards their future as adults. The book’s stories will encourage and soothe people who are in the process of growing up. I would recommend this book to people who are growing up from their childhood, and are fearful of the future. It will bring tranquility and a hopeful future for everyone afraid of becoming an adult.