Peter is the primary protagonist of the novel, a red-haired orphan boy between 11 and14 years old. Peter shares many characteristics with J.M. Barrie’s iconic character Peter Pan, on whom he is based. Both characters are brave, clever, and fiercely devoted to their friends. Unlike Barrie’s Peter Pan, Barry and Pearson’s Peter does not actively wish to avoid growing older, nor does he fear adults. Instead, though Peter longs for escape from life in the orphanage, he is apprehensive about the journey ahead and contemplates running away. As he boards the Never Land, however, he realizes “he didn’t know if that was possible—to run away from ‘away’” (3). Rather than freeing himself, Peter stays: He feels responsible for his fellow orphans, who look up to him and rely on him to lead them through challenges, such as the lack of edible food on the Never Land. Used to being the assumed leader, Peter is hurt when Molly does not trust him at first, but he proves to be an equally loyal friend to the young Starcatcher once he earns her confidence.

Peter’s great concern for his friends and budding romantic interest in Molly further separate him from Barrie’s character.