Rowan Hood: Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest
by Nancy Springer
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Book Summary Information
Author: Nancy SpringerEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2002-09-16
ISBN: 069811972X
Number of pages: 192
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Book Reviews of Rowan Hood: Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest
Book Review: Simple and Charming
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm a bit torn on this one...one the one hand I really got a kick out of this sweet little adventure, on the other, it's a bit over-simple and predictable. With Rowan Hood: Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest we are introduced to 13 year old Rosemary (who later changes her name to Rowan) who lives with her mother (a "woodwife" - herbal healer and considered by some to be a witch) alone in the woods. Her world is torn asunder when the local Lord's men show up one day and burn down their little cottage in the wood...and her mother along with it. She wisely weighs her options and decides she'd prefer to seek out her outlaw father Robin Hood. So, she sets out disguised as a boy and along the way becomes enmeshed in her own adventure complete with a half wolf, half dog companion (who can catch arrows in mid-flight); gentle giant (and fantastically talented minstrel); a runaway princess; and of course Robin Hood and his men.
I liked the twist that the author came up with to explain who Robin Hood could so easily (and for so long) fool the Sheriff of Nottingham, it was cute, a little humorous, and I think appropriate. I'll be perfectly honest, I liked this book very much, except where I didn't...what I mean is that I (like many others) have a love of all things Robin Hood. So in that light, how could I not want to read this book AND how could I not fall in love with it? At the same time, this book is has fairly shallow characterization, the plot is pretty simple and easy to figure out, and it is almost TOO easy...BUT this isn't an adult book, it's a children's book, so this is forgivable. As an adult reading this, I can't help but think that there is a serious romanticizing of Robin and his men...that there would definitely be danger for young girls (or women in general) in the woods, this book paints Robin (and his men by association) as total gentlemen. Given the age range listed (9-12), the author probably could introduce some of the dangers that women faced (beyond what she did).
In the end, I gave this book 4 stars - it's a very cute, easy to like (and easy to read) book with an interesting and enjoyable twist on Robin Hood tales, complete with heroes, villains, fairy tale touches, and just a little magic. I think the word charming best describes Rowan Hood, it's one of those stories that is a little too perfect, but it leaves you smiling anyway.
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