The Sisters of the Neversea by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Middle Grade • Fantasy Retelling • Indigenous Representation • Family • Adventure

Author: Cynthia Leitich Smith

Genre: Traditional Tale Reimagined

Recommended Ages: 8 - 12

Summary:

this powerful and imaginative reimagining of Peter Pan, Lily and Wendy are stepsisters growing up in modern-day Tulsa, Oklahoma. Lily is Muscogee Creek; Wendy is English American. When their family faces change and tension, the girls are whisked away to Neverland by the mysterious Peter Pan — but the island isn’t as magical as it first appears.

Through the eyes of both sisters, Cynthia Leitich Smith explores the original story’s legacy while reclaiming Indigenous representation and agency. Neverland becomes a space where the girls must decide who to trust, what stories to believe, and how to stay true to themselves and each other.

This is a story of sisterhood, identity, courage, and truth, told with empathy and cultural awareness.

My Thoughts:

I was captivated by how Sisters of the Neversea honors the spirit of adventure while challenging readers to see an old story in a new light.

Cynthia Leitich Smith doesn’t just retell Peter Pan—she reclaims it. In the original, Indigenous people were portrayed as stereotypes, with language and imagery that erased their humanity and culture. Leitich Smith corrects that wrong with care and strength. She gives space and voice to Lily, a Muscogee Creek girl whose story feels authentic, grounded, and full of heart.

Through Lily and Wendy’s journeys, readers see how love, truth, and identity intertwine. The story balances fantasy with cultural honesty, showing that reimagining a classic can also be an act of healing and empowerment. I finished the book feeling inspired by its message—that we can honor the stories we’ve inherited while making room for those that were left out.

Themes:

• Family & Sisterhood: Loyalty, blended families, and love through change.

• Identity & Representation: A thoughtful look at Native voices within a classic tale.

• Storytelling & Truth: Questions the myths we’ve inherited and who gets to tell them.

• Courage & Growth: Learning to speak up, protect others, and believe in your own story.

Why this book is important for Diversity and Inclusion:

Cynthia Leitich Smith reframes Peter Pan through a modern, inclusive lens, centering Muscogee (Creek) identity and correcting the harmful stereotypes found in the original text. By giving Native characters depth, agency, and cultural richness, she offers Native readers a powerful mirror and Model of representation rarely seen in fantasy retellings. For all readers, the book provides an important window into Indigenous perspectives, community values, and storytelling traditions. This retelling shows why inclusive authorship matters—because it brings truth, respect, and meaningful visibility to historically misrepresented cultures.

Library Integration of Sisters of the Neversea by Cynthia Leitich Smith:

1. Comparing Classic and Contemporary Tales

• Pair Sisters of the Neversea with the original Peter Pan (or an excerpt) and guide students in exploring how both stories portray the same characters and cultures differently.

• Discuss how Cynthia Leitich Smith reclaims and corrects the stereotypes of Indigenous people from the original story.

2. Storytelling and Representation Display

• Create a library display called “Reimagining the Classics” featuring books that retell familiar stories through diverse voices.

3. Perspective Writing Activity

• Encourage readers to write a journal entry or short story from the point of view of a character who didn’t have a voice in the original version. This connects directly to lessons on empathy, narrative voice, and storytelling.

4. Indigenous Voices Reading Circle

• Include Sisters of the Neversea in a middle-grade book club or reading circle highlighting Indigenous authors. Discuss what readers learn about the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and why authentic representation matters.

5. SEL Connection: Family and Belonging

• Use the sisters’ story to start a conversation about blended families, understanding differences, and what it means to stand up for each other.

Librarian Reflection:

This novel deserves a place in every middle grade collection. It encourages young readers to think critically about how stories are told and whose voices are missing. Sisters of the Neversea is both a celebration of storytelling and a call for inclusivity — a wonderful example of how children’s literature continues to evolve toward empathy, representation, and understanding.

*Sisters of the Neversea by Cynthia Leitich Smith