unjust. Her outrage intensifies as she witnesses firsthand the plight of the lost girls. Adding layers of complexity, Wendy emerges as part of the problem. Darla derisively dubs her "Miss Management," for Wendy aligns with Peter, enforcing control over the other girls. Although Wendy's motivations in "Lost Girls" might appear inadequately explained, the stark contrast with Darla’s impressions of fairness inPeter Pan amplifies its significance within the tale. Darla discerns a shadow in Wendy’s eyes that mirrors the darkness in Peter’s, hinting at an unspoken spiritual connection between them or perhaps revealing Wendy’s latent penchant for authority over her peers.

Shadows Over Neverland

"Lost Girls" presumes its readers possess a familiarity with the enchanting world of Peter Pan and Neverland. For instance, the ominous allusions to a sinister "him" are intended to evoke the nefarious Captain Hook, yet this association is clear only to those acquainted with the original tale. The narrative complexity deepens as the depiction of Peter diverges greatly from Barrie's jovial and benevolent boy. Instead, he is reimagined as malevolent, while Wendy shifts from her original brightness and kindness to a cruel, domineering figure. These dramatic alterations recast Neverland from a sanctuary for the lost into a foreboding realm where Peter and Wendy manipulate boys and girls alike, resembling capricious forest deities demanding reverence rather than innocent children at play.

"Lost Girls" intricately navigates the tangled web of a young girl's struggle amidst her parents' puzzling relationship. It delves deeper into the dynamics between boys and girls, exploring how they traditionally divide roles based on gender. This novelette champions the cause of fairness within social groups, highlighting the importance of equitable treatment for all members. The pirate ship emerges as a beacon of equality, where tasks are shared, and men and women hold equal ranks within their microcosm. As Mrs. Hook tells the girls, "A pirate ship is a very democratic place."

In "Lost Girls," the arduous quest for equality and justice demands the oppressed, known as the lost girls, to challenge those in power. Prior to Darla's arrival, these girls had been subservient to the boys for centuries. Little Lizzy, with her childlike demeanor and stature, has been toiling away in Wendy's kitchen for over a century. Bereft of guidance on how to escape their servitude, only a few, like JoAnne, have dared to contemplate rebellion. This mirrors the historical narrative of girls lacking the training or societal tools to envision roles beyond domestic confines, such as cooking and cleaning. Another layer of this reality unfolds when Darla discovers that all the girls are collectively known as "Wendy," stripping them of their individuality. This is particularly insidious to an American mindset, which holds individualism in high regard, much like the dark legacy of slaves in the United States bearing their owner's name. Furthermore, it reflects the tendency to dismiss children's identities with phrases like "they're only girls" or "they're just boys." Darla, with her fiery zeal for individualism and justice, confronts the oppressive regime of Neverland.

To usher in change requires a contemporary lens, and Darla arrives from a world where her mother champions labor rights as a lawyer, and her father offers nurturing support. While others flounder in confusion, Darla emerges armed with the knowledge of social reform, understanding labor strikes, picket lines, and protest slogans. Her leadership, shaped by her parents' influence, endows her with confidence and compassion for the wronged. In her modern reality, unions fight for workers, women find liberation, and little girls grow up assured of their civil rights. Her entry into Peter and Wendy's sorrowful world is nothing short of revolutionary, as she challenges the conventional narrative of Peter Pan. Dramatically, she refuses to accept a lesser status, drawing strength from her parents' awareness despite their separation. Her name, a nod to the Darling family from the original story, underscores this connection. Peter's ominous comment, "Don't worry. There are always more Wendys where they came from," drips with irony. If girls like Darla continue to rise, Peter and the lost boys might find themselves without new Wendys who willingly follow."

Reimagining Classic Narratives

Yolen possesses a knack for breathing new life into age-old tales, infusing them with fresh perspectives. In her enchanting story "Great-Grandfather Dragon's Tale" (1986), she spins the narrative of a venerable dragon recounting to his grandchildren the saga of how the progenitor of all dragons forged an alliance with humans, sparing their kind from the brink of extinction. This tale unfolds as a reimagining of the legendary Saint George and the dragon, but through the dragon's own eyes. In Yolen's captivating rendition, "Georgi" ingeniously orchestrates a truce. Her ambitious storytelling reaches new heights in the trilogy of novellas: Passenger (1996), Hobby (1996), and Merlin (1997). Within these pages, Yolen reshapes the childhood of the boy destined to be Merlin, the legendary wizard of King Arthur's realm, weaving in a clever origin for his name. Much like "Lost Girls," these novellas delve into the stark realities of life and the resilience a young soul must muster to endure them.

Themes of Influence and Empowerment

The thematic echoes of "Lost Girls" resonate throughout Yolen's other literary pursuits. Her tale "The Face in the Cloth" (1985) explores a mother's lasting imprint on her daughter, capturing how this legacy can shape a young woman's journey. In "Lost Girls," Darla's mother's influence becomes a cornerstone of her resolve to spearhead a labor strike in the mystical land of Neverland. Similarly, in "Lady Merion's Angel" (1996), Merion confronts the challenge of a younger brother who has captured her father's affections, mirroring the rift created by Darla's father's new family.

The liberation of women and the constraints of societal gender roles frequently emerge in Yolen's work. Stories like "An Infestation of Unicorns" (1994) offer a medieval backdrop where gallant knights are presumed to be men, and women are forbidden within monastery walls. The narrative takes a twist when the hero, assumed to be male, is in fact a woman—the only one capable of rescuing the monastery from doom. Yolen's literary explorations know no cultural bounds, as evidenced in "The Woman Who Loved a Bear" (1994). This tale reinterprets a Native American legend, portraying a woman's journey from bondage to freedom through sheer willpower. Moreover, Yolen crafts narratives where boys and girls unite to conquer challenges, as illustrated in "Fallen Angel" (1996), where young companions join forces to aid a wounded angel in regaining its wings.

"Jane Yolen." Writer, vol. 114, no. 3 (March 2001): 66. Yolen reveals how her craft envelops her daily life, beginning each day with pen in hand, spilling her thoughts onto paper no matter her location. She masterfully juggles multiple projects simultaneously, which keeps the dreaded writer's block at bay; when inspiration lags for one tale, she gracefully moves to another that sparks her imagination.

Sherman, Chris. Booklist, vol. 94, no. 5 (November 1,1997): 463. In a glowing review of Twelve Impossible Things before Breakfast, Sherman praises Yolen's ability to craft "fresh, off-the-wall stories that even children who typically shy away from fantasy will adore." He highlights "Lost Girls," an inventive twist on Peter Pan, where a bold new Wendy awakens the awareness of other lost girls, stirring a spirited rebellion in the enchanted realm of Neverland.

Yolen, Jane. "Jane Yolen: The Bardic Munchies." Locus, vol. 26 (January 1991): 4, 78. Yolen delves into the complexities of writing for young minds, articulating both the challenges and the vital components she weaves into her narratives.

"Yolen, Jane." In Something about the Author, vol. 75, edited by Diane Telgen. Detroit: Gale, 1994, pp. 223-229. This entry not only catalogs Yolen's extensive body of work but also offers a concise biography that paints a vivid picture of her literary journey.

Related Web Sites

www.janeyolen.com Accessed August 30, 2002. Embark on a digital journey through Jane Yolen's official website, where you'll discover a comprehensive list of her creations, an insightful biography, and a showcase of her numerous accolades.