Rowan Hood: Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest (Tales of Rowan Hood Series #1)

( 11 )

Overview

Rosemary has nowhere to go when her beloved mother dies. She has never met her father-the outlaw Robin Hood-and she's grown up among the woodland creatures her mother loved. So she decides to change her name to Rowan, disguise herself as a boy, and undertake a perilous journey through Sherwood Forest, in search of Robin Hood. But how will she find him? And will he offer her a home?

"This tale is a charmer, filled with exciting action, plenty of humor, engaging characters, and a ...

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More About This Book

Overview

Rosemary has nowhere to go when her beloved mother dies. She has never met her father-the outlaw Robin Hood-and she's grown up among the woodland creatures her mother loved. So she decides to change her name to Rowan, disguise herself as a boy, and undertake a perilous journey through Sherwood Forest, in search of Robin Hood. But how will she find him? And will he offer her a home?

"This tale is a charmer, filled with exciting action, plenty of humor, engaging characters, and a nice fantasy twist." (Booklist, starred review)

"Rowan Hood reads like the first in a series, and teens are sure to hope that it will be just that, leading to many more." (VOYA)

In her quest to connect with Robin Hood, the father she has never met, thirteen-year-old Rosemary disguises herself as a boy, befriends a half-wolf, half-dog, a runaway princess, and an overgrown boy whose singing is hypnotic, and makes peace with her elfin heritage.

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Editorial Reviews

Children's Literature
Rosemary's mother, Celandine, is one of the aelfe—the faerie folk who are a part of the forest. But as much as Celandine's knowledge of herbs and healing has made her loved by the people around her, it has made her hated by the "authorities," who have her murdered. The grieving Ro decides to go to her father and join his band of outlaws. Since she has never met her father and is sure he will never accept a girl as an outlaw, she cuts off her hair and changes her name to Rowan. Who can her father be but the legendary Robin Hood? Why did Celandine never arrange for them to meet, if Robin would have accepted his daughter? On her way to Sherwood Forest Ro is adopted by a half-wolf puppy who can catch arrows out of the air. She names him Tykell, and he saves her from Guy of Gisborn, a bullying lord. Ro's life gets even more interesting as she meets some of Robin Hood's men, and then Robin Hood himself. A runaway princess, Ettarde, brings herself to the outlaws' attention when the troop of soldiers who have been her escort turn the forest upside down in their search for her. There's not much new in this story, but it is very well told. The phrasing is often poetically lovely, and several of the characters are memorable. 2001, Philomel, . Ages 11 to 14. Reviewer: Judy Silverman
VOYA
The stories of Robin Hood and his chivalrous band of outlaws have been told many times. Until now, few have been written about his family life. Springer extends the Robin Hood tale to another generation in this story of Robin's unclaimed thirteen-year-old daughter, who must search for him after the death of her mother. Disguised as a boy for her safety while on her way to find Robin, Rowan comes across many enemies and a few friends and learns about her infamous father and herself. Rowan's story is a fine quick read for someone interested in the Robin Hood legend. Robin is seen only through Rowan's eyes and it is clear that this is her tale, not his. For serious fantasy readers, this technique will only whet their appetite and leave them wanting more. There is a hint at the end of the story that there might be more to come, that there are certainly more tales to tell from the daughter's viewpoint. The characters are interesting and fit well together, calling for more in-depth stories about them. Rowan Hood reads like the first in a series, and teens are sure to hope that it will be just that, leading to many more. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P M J (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2001, Philomel, 208p, . Ages 12 to 15. Reviewer: Jennifer Rice SOURCE: VOYA, June 2001 (Vol. 24, No. 2)
KLIATT
Thirteen-year-old Rosemary lives happily with her mother, a mistress of woods magic, in Sherwood Forest, but when her mother is murdered by the lord's henchmen, Rosemary sets out to find the father she has never met—Robin Hood. She disguises herself as a boy for safety, calling herself Rowan. A creature she names Tykell, part-wolf, part-dog, becomes her companion and protector as she travels through the woods, and she befriends a big but gentle minstrel named Lionel and a runaway princess named Ettarde. They all must work together if they are to fend off the dangerous Guy of Gisborn and rescue Robin from the clutches of the Sheriff of Nottingham. Unsure of Robin Hood, who does not seem to know of her existence, Rowan at first keeps her identity—both as female and as daughter—secret from him, and then basks in his praise of her as an accomplished fellow outlaw when all is revealed. Rowan is invited to join his band, but chooses to stay in a grove of rowan trees nearby, setting up her own band with Tykell, Lionel, and Ettarde. This rousing feminist take on the Robin Hood legend is a quick and engaging read. Springer, the author of I am Morgan le Fay; a tale from Camelot (see review above), creates strong characters whom readers will hope to meet again, and she turns a nice phrase, too, with some lovely visual images. The action rarely flags, and younger YAs, particularly girls, will delight in Rowan's bravery and appreciate her conflicted feelings about her father. KLIATT Codes: J—Recommended for junior high school students. 2001, Penguin Putnam/Philomel, 208p, $16.99. Ages 13 to 15. Reviewer: Paula Rohrlick; May 2001 (Vol. 35 No. 3)
School Library Journal
Gr 4-7-Another entry into the popular genre of "alternate" tales, this is the story of Robin Hood's daughter by the woodwife Celandine. When her mother is immolated by the local gentry, 13-year-old Ro is left to fend for herself. She has no other family-her mother was part aelfe and ostracized by her human family-and she has never met her father. She disguises herself as a boy and makes her way to Sherwood Forest. She quickly makes an enemy of Guy of Gisborn, the local thug, and then becomes an outlaw. Ro eventually finds Robin and his men, but, fearing that he won't want a girl around, she doesn't tell him who she is. She forms her own band of comrades: her wolf-dog Tykell; Lionel, an oafish bard with a magical voice; and Etty, a runaway princess. When Robin is captured and sentenced to death, Ro and her friends rescue him and she treats his wounds. She reveals her secret and the two of them promise to be nearby when there is need. Ro is a likable character but her story is not well paced. The characters are not given ample time to develop, and story lines are not fully explored. Readers seem to be dropped in the middle of some scenes, and it takes a minute to figure out what is happening. Still, those who liked Theresa Tomlinson's The Forestwife (1995) and Child of the May (1998, both Orchard) will probably enjoy this one as well, though they will wish to know more.-Cheri Estes, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780698119727
  • Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
  • Publication date: 9/28/2002
  • Series: Tales of Rowan Hood Series , #1
  • Edition description: Reprint
  • Pages: 192
  • Sales rank: 312,399
  • Age range: 9 - 12 Years
  • Product dimensions: 5.20 (w) x 7.72 (h) x 0.52 (d)

Meet the Author

Nancy Springer has published forty novels for adults, young adults and children. In a career beginning shortly after she graduated from Gettysburg College in 1970, Springer wrote for ten years in the imaginary realms of mythological fantasy, then ventured on contemporary fantasy, magical realism, and women's fiction before turning her attention to children's literature. Her novels and stories for middle-grade and young adults range from contemporary realism, mystery/crime, and fantasy to her critically acclaimed novels based on the Arthurian mythos, I AM MORDRED: A TALE OF CAMELOT and I AM MORGAN LE FAY. Springer's children's books have won her two Edgar Allan Poe awards, a Carolyn W. Field award, various Children's Choice honors and numerous ALA Best Book listings. Her most recent series include the Tales of Rowan Hood, featuring Robin Hood’s daughter, and the Enola Holmes mysteries, starring the much younger sister of Sherlock Holmes.

Ms. Springer lives in East Berlin, Pennsylvania.

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 11 )
Rating Distribution

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(7)

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(3)

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Sort by: Showing all of 11 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 28, 2012

    Love it :)

    I loved this book! I had read the while series back in 6th grade and decided to re-read them now, so I just ordered it. I'm so glad I did :)
    This is a good book for young readers or even people who enjoy the Robin Hood type books because I believe you never outgrow a book. It ends well and continues in a few more books that get even better :)

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted February 2, 2012

    I Also Recommend:

    Inca Gold (Dirk Pitt Series #12)
    Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins
    The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice Series #1)
    Green Rider (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)

    entertaining

    I don't normally say a book can be enjoyed by all ages,but this one can. The action keeps the reader involved, yet nothing is too intense for a younger audience. Rowan is a very relateable character. I know anyone who reads the ending of this book will want to learn more about this series.
    ....I have one complaint; though, there is no hardcover available. Because of this, I almost didn't buy it...

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 12, 2008

    Awesome Book

    I think the Book is Awesome.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 14, 2007

    Awesome!!!!!

    I love Rowan Hood!!! I actually read the books all out of order and then I read them all again and I love them! I wish that there could be a sixth one because in the 5th it seemed that Rook kind of liked her toward the ending. I am still trying to find out what Robin meant when he said, 'So it wasn't a dream.' when Rowan told him she was his daughter. But I would reccomend this book to all medieval time lovers! It was an awesome book! FYI I read this book (+ all the other tales of Rowan Hood) Five times.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 30, 2006

    LOVE IT!

    This book is terrific. I love how the rose isnt a stereotypical girl in the time she lives. It was very enchanting and magical. You will love the rowan hood series, I obviously did :)

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 8, 2004

    this is a pretty good book

    This is a pretty good book, though it is not that famous. It talks about a girl who is looking for her father, the famous Robin Hood, after her mother died. She dresses up as a boy and begins her journey. Along the way she meets a runaway princess, a boy, and a dog.(I think thats it.) And ofcourse other things happen, but I don't want to spoil the book. But the end made me think if there was a sequel to the book. (Is there?)

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 10, 2004

    Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest

    FABTASTIC! I just couldn't put this book down! It makes history seem so interesting. I love medieval books and stuff. This was great! It shows that woman were powerful in olden times, even though they had little power over the men.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 15, 2004

    this is a great book...

    Nancy Springer is one of my favorite authors. In this book she uses fantasy and legend to create a life-like tale. Rowan is a superb character, and she weaves Rowan's characteristics into the story, rather than tell it straight out. Rowan has all the qualities of a great outlaw-envy, bravery, boldness, and most of all, common sense. Ettarde's own story gives Rowan Hood: Outlaw girl of Sherwood Forest more flavor, adding reality. And Ettarde has qualities Rowan sometimes lack; patience, helpfullness, grace, and persuasiveness. Lionel's past came as a surprise to me, i would have expected him to be a great fighter, but Lionel's own extraordinary courage is bravery in it's own name. I would have given this book 5 *, but i didn't really like the ending, where Robin just grinnes and smiles when Rowan tells him that she is a girl. I would have liked it to be more gradual.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 18, 2003

    This is a GREAT book!

    I thought that this was a great book! I really enjoyed this book! I didn't think this would be so good because it was about Robin Hood so I thought this book would be weird. Turns out, it wasn't! It was just great! I really enjoyed the plot in this book and I really want to get the second book. I'm just glad that Ms. Springer decided to keep going into the story, following Rowan Hood... I recommend this book to everyone!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 17, 2002

    very good

    Thirteen-year-old Rosemary lives happily with her mother, a mistress of woods magic, in Sherwood Forest, but when her mother is murdered by the lord's henchmen, Rosemary sets out to find the father she has never met¿Robin Hood. She disguises herself as a boy for safety, calling herself Rowan. A creature she names Tykell, part-wolf, part-dog, becomes her companion and protector as she travels through the woods, and she befriends a big but gentle minstrel named Lionel and a runaway princess named Ettarde. They all must work together if they are to fend off the dangerous Guy of Gisborn and rescue Robin from the clutches of the Sheriff of Nottingham. Unsure of Robin Hood, who does not seem to know of her existence, Rowan at first keeps her identity¿both as female and as daughter¿secret from him, and then basks in his praise of her as an accomplished fellow outlaw when all is revealed. Rowan is invited to join his band, but chooses to stay in a grove of rowan trees nearby, setting up her own band with Tykell, Lionel, and Ettarde. This rousing feminist take on the Robin Hood legend is a quick and engaging read.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted July 4, 2001

    An exciting fantasy adventure.

    Thirteen-year-old Rosemary and her mother, a healer with elfin blood and powers, have always lived alone in a small cottage in the forest. The villagers come to her mother for cures, but the lord and his men fear and distrust her, believing her to be a witch. But Rosemary never expects that they would go so far as to kill her mother. But in just a few moments on a peaceful day, they do. Rosemary knows the same men who killed her mother might now come after her, even though she lacks her mother's powers. So she takes on a new identity. Disguised as a boy, Rowan, she sets off to find the man her mother has always told her was her father, the famous outlaw Robin Hood. Along to way, she teams up with a giant boy whose size does not match his scared nature, and a princess fleeing an arrange marriage. But even with the help of her new friends, will she find her father? I reccomend this fantasy adventure to young readers, especially to girls who enjoy stories featuring strong heroines.

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