Hurray for Rowan Hood, the girls' answer to swashbuckling Robin Hood! Rowan, a.k.a. Rosemary, is forced to disappear into the woods disguised as a boy after her mother, a woodwife with healing powers, is murdered by the local lord's henchmen. Ro's only option, other than "toiling in some lord's cabbage patch," is to find her fabled father, Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest. Along the way, this outlaw-in-training is joined by a motley crew of characters: a wolf-dog that catches arrows midflight, a giant of a boy with a spellbinding musical talent, and a runaway princess. Rowan finds Robin Hood and his merry men, but she soon discovers her troubles have only just begun.

Packed with magic, valiant warriors, nasty villains, and edge-of-your-seat adventure, this story is also a poignant search for identity and family. Rowan is a fierce female protagonist with a good head on her shoulders. Girls and boys of all ages would be proud to name her as their heroine. Award-winning author Nancy Springer (I Am Mordred: A Tale from Camelot and many others) tells a riveting tale. (Ages 11 and older) --Emilie Coulter


From School Library Journal
Grade 5-7-This recording of Nancy Springer's novel, Rowan Hood: Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest (Philomel, 2001) is read by actress Emily Gray. Rowan is actually Rosemary, a 13-year-old who disguises herself as a boy and goes into hiding when her mother, the woodwife Celandine, is murdered. Ro has never met her father, Robin Hood, nor her mother's people, the aelfe, or old ones. But in this lively adventure, she finds Robin, saves him from certain death, reveals herself to him, and makes a connection with the aelfe. In the process, she creates her own band of outlaws: a wolf-dog, a foolish but well-meaning minstrel boy, and a runaway princess. Gray reads the story well, with just the right amount of expression and variation among the characters' voices. She even sings the minstrel's songs in a clear, simple voice.Sarah Flowers, Santa Clara County Library, Morgan Hill, CACopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
Thirteen-year-old Rowan is out enjoying the woods when suddenly she feels incredible pain and returns home to find her mother murdered. Knowing she'll be next if she stays, she heads off to Sherwood Forest to find the father she's never known. Emily Gray narrates this tale with a gentle, mellifluous voice that lends an ethereal quality to the setting and story. Gray gives us a Rowan who can be cold, or fierce, or protective, or playful, as needed. While enhancing the poetic quality of Springer's words, she also lets Rowan's soft musings and interactions with her magical kinfolk bring out the magic she finds within herself. Gray builds the tension as the action ensues and creates distinct voices for Rowan's followers. A wonderful adventure, a coming-of-age story, and a creative extension of a true classic--a real treat. W.L.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
Gr. 4-7. When her mother is murdered for being a woodwife (a healer), 13-year-old Rosemary has nowhere to turn except to the father she's never met--the outlaw Robin Hood. Disguising herself as a boy, Rowan, she begins a perilous journey to Sherwood Forest. Along the way she's joined by a part-wolf, part-dog creature she names Tykell, who proves to be a fierce defender. They meet Robin, Rowan doesn't tell him she's his daughter and leaves his camp rather than swear fealty. Later, she's joined by Lionel, a giant, baby-faced minstrel, and by Ettarde, a 13-year-old princess escaping a forced marriage. In the flight from the soldiers searching for the princess, Rowan guides her companions to a secret place where they can be safe. Unfortunately, Robin Hood can't resist sneaking into town, and when he's captured, it's up to Rowan and her companions to save him. This tale is a charmer, filled with exciting action, plenty of humor, engaging characters, and a nice fantasy twist, as Rowan learns to use the gifts she got from her mother and their kin, the aelfe, the ageless ones in the forest--and in so doing discovers her destiny and the place where she belongs. For a younger audience than that of Springer's I Am Mordred (1998) and I Am Morgan le Fay [BKL F 1 01], this should delight readers who like stories about brave girls as well as those fascinated by Robin Hood books. Sally Estes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

ANNOTATION

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.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

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?

FROM THE CRITICS

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)

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