"Peter Pan II"

It's not hard to figure out why Hollywood rushes to make sequels when original films are hits. The moguls hope, of course, to make trailerloads of fresh cash. Unfortunately, what they often wind up with is "Return of the Seven" or "City Slickers II."
And the same thing can happen with books, which probably explains why the "authorized sequel" to the J.M. Barrie classic "Peter Pan" is due out this fall. "Peter Pan in Scarlet," written by Geraldine McCaughrean and published by Margaret K. McElderry, arrives in stores Oct. 5.
All of which begs the question: Who asked that the beloved children's story be updated and hurled into the future? Nobody I know. Maybe I shouldn't jump to conclusions. Maybe it'll be gripping and imaginative. But if it isn't, somebody -- like that captain over there with the croc behind him -- should quickly give it the hook.