Dani257's Full Review: Nancy Springer and Emily Gray - Rowan Hood: Outlaw...
My first encounter with Nancy Springer came when I read 'I Am Mordred'. It was her retelling of the Arthurian legend from Mordred's viewpoint. It was a brilliant book. Next, I read the companion book, 'I Am Morgan Le Fay'. I have to admit I didn't like that one nearly as well.
From those two books, I had the mistaken impression that Ms. Springer only dealt with Arthurian subjects. (Well, except for a book called Fair Peril, which I've yet to read) But, while I was working at the library, I noticed an interesting title. 'Rowan Hood: Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest'. Ah! I love twists in old legends. I love it when these twists take on a feminist theme. I had also been reading books set in ye days of old. So, I decided to give this one a try.
Let me say right now, I was not disappointed. In two weeks, I must have read and reread this book at least 15 times. It has tenderness and charm and adventure. It reminds me a bit of The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, by Avi. This is a book starring a girl, that both girls and boys will want to read.
Rosemary's mother is part aelfe, one of the mystical 'old folk' with powers of transformation and healing. Because of this, she is killed by the king's men, for being a witch. Now, at thirteen, Ro is all alone. She is scared of the aelfe, who disowned her grandmother for loving a human. She's afraid that she will also be mistaken for a witch and killed. Where can a young girl go?
Well, there's always her father. Although she has never met him, she's heard stories from her mother of what he's like. And, there are also the ballads sung in his honor. (Is it any surprise that her father is the legendary Robin Hood?) But, there are few glitches in her plan for a happy family meeting. 1. An outlaw camp is no place for a girl. 2. She wonders why Robin Hood never came to visit her. Is it because he doesn't care? Could being a girl have anything to with it? Ro decides to travel to his camp, anyway, disguised as a boy.
Along the way, Ro - now Rowan - (Her reasoning is, 'if the girl Ro was named after a goodly herb, than the boy Ro would be named after a goodly tree.')meets up with interesting friends and foes. There is Ty, the wolf-dog, who plays fetch with arrows. There is also Lionel, a boy minstrel, whose large stature hides a gentle and cowardly personality. And, there's Guy of Gisborn, an outlaw hunter who Ro quickly runs afoul of.
Finally, Ro reaches Robin's camp. At her first meeting with him, he tricks her. This doesn't make a good impression. Neither do his ways with his men. (For instance, having Little John knock a man down when he misses a target) Still there is something about the man that she is drawn to. Unfortunately, she can't see herself fitting in with the rough men. She also can't bring herself to tell Robin who she really is. So, she and Ty leave the camp.
Well, it would be a pretty depressing story if it ended right there, wouldn't it? Anyone who read I Am Mordred might even expect this type of ending. But, this book is a much happier one. Ro's adventures don't end with her leaving the camp. She rescues a young princess, Ettarde, from an arranged marriage. Neither does her relationship with Robin, who guards them with the help of his men.
But, trouble is near. People are still hunting Ettarde. And, Robin can't resist another chance to go into Nottingham and trick the sheriff. Something goes wrong, this time, though, and he is captured. Ro knows she has to make the attempt to save him. Does she? Would I spoil the book like that?
One of the best aspects of this book are the characters. Ro is a worthy successor of her father, but is a fully realized character in her own right. Although she grows to love the Robin Hood she comes to know, her ideals and practices lie in a slightly different direction. Robin himself is a mixture of childish mischief as well as adult caring. He's tender without being wimpy. Ettarde manages to stay regal, while combining a practicality necessary in her new life as a fugitive. The only character that didn't click with me was Lionel. The descriptions of him were vivid enough. I just couldn't picture this giant of a boy, jumping at every shadow. Maybe it was just me. Guy of Gisborn also seems a bit over the top.
One of the main concerns I had with the book was the whole idea of female identity. While it was certainly understandable in those times that people would be hesitant for a girl to have a place in the life of an outlaw, it seemed that Ro gains most of her acceptance when she can prove that she can do what a boy can. Feminine traits were less valued. This isn't the whole case, thank goodness. Ro learns how to be a gifted healer. And, Ettarde is one of the most reasonable characters in the story. Plus, Ro never wants to be a boy. She frequently makes the mistake of telling people she isn't a lad, because she forgets that this is the identity she had taken for safety's sake.
This book is also filled with warmth and love. Although Ro's mother dies in the beginning of the story, her love for Ro, and Ro's for her is evident. And, it's beautiful to watch the growing friendship between Ro and Robin, that soon strengthens into love. There is scene near the end of the book that is my favorite. It shows their relationship while also giving more depth to Robin than is shown by the bare bones of the legend.
The book is a bit easier, not only in subject matter, but also language than the Arthurian retellings Ms. Springer has undertaken. I would say it could be read by middle graders. It should be read by anyone with an interest in Robin Hood, or merely an exciting, loving tale.
Rosemary has nowhere to go when her beloved mother dies. She has never met her father--the outlaw Robin Hood. So she changes her name to Rowan, disgui...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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