Parents' Guide to

Peter Pan

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Magical adventure has stereotypes, offensive language.

Book J.M. Barrie Fantasy 1904
Peter Pan Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

age 7+

Based on 7 parent reviews

age 2+

Did you sleep in the window again

age 8+
Tinker Bell continues using the word "ass" when Peter "is being stupid," according to a parent review. Parents may think "orgy" is sexual, but probably meant a religious ceremony at the time the book was published (1904). Wendy asks about "spinsters" and believes they "should be envied" during her time with the Lost Boys in Never Land (the term meant women who made clothes).

This title has:

Great role models
Too much violence
Too much swearing

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7 ):
Kids say (13 ):

This classic fantasy is full of thrilling adventures that spark children's imaginations, but some of the attitudes and language in J.M. Barrie's masterpiece are dated and offensive. Peter Pan is richly complex, inspiring moments of humor, pity, sadness, excitement, and fear. Another fascinating aspect of this novel is the fact that the author occasionally breaks the "fourth wall" by inserting himself into the story. For example, he writes of trying to decide whether to let Mrs. Darling know in a dream that her children are on their way home. This aspect of the book -- along with the archaic ideas and language about gender roles and indigenous people -- make the novel a great subject for home or classroom discussion, as well as an exciting and magical childhood fantasy.

Book Details

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