Rowan Hood: Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest by Nancy Springer Date of Publication: 2001 ISBN: 0399233687 Number of Pages: 170

REQUIRED READING ABILITY: Junior: Average Intermediate: Low
GENRES: Adventure
THEMES : Life versus Death - Family - Prejudice - Coming of Age - Survival - Isolation

SUMMARY:
The story begins with Rosemary (also known as Ro, and later Rowan) being sent out to gather herbs for her mother. Her mother is part human, part aelf and a healer. Ro suddenly finds herself under a protective spell and is unable to return home. Once the spell wears off, Ro runs home only to find her cottage burned to the ground and her mother dead. Ro has no powers of her own to help her survive, so she disguises herself as a boy, “Rowan,” and sets off to Sherwood Forest. She is going in search of her father, Robin Hood, whom she has never met.

On her journey she finds Tykell, a friendly wolf-dog; Lionel, a gentle giant with the gift of minstrelsy; and Ettarde, a runaway princess -- and of course, her father Robin, who believes Rowan is a boy. She is terrified to reveal her true identity for fear he will not accept her, and leaves his band of merry men, feeling torn. Before long, however, Rowan discovers that her father has been captured and only she and her friends can save him. Will Rowan rescue Robin Hood…and can she ever tell him who she truly is?

WHO WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK? A kid who...
- loves Robin Hood stories
- likes adventure
- is interested in medieval times
- likes stories where characters have to disguise themselves

WHAT ELSE?
Nancy Springer has written a whole series of these books using these characters blended with others, including Wild Boy, Rowan Hood Returns, Outlaw Princess of Sherwood Forest, and Lionclaw .
There is only a minor reference to magic in relation to Ro’s mother’s “gifts” and heritage, but it may be enough to put off some parents. The death of Ro’s mother might also make it a bit sensitive for children who have lost a parent.

RELATED LINK:
You can find out more about the author and her books at her website, www.nancyspringer.com .