WILD BOY

This series by Springer is for a younger audience than her Arthurian one, and is written with perhaps less grace and wit. On the other hand, it takes as its premise Sherwood Forest and the outlaws therein (Rowan Hood is Robin’s grown daughter, a healer). In this fast-moving tale, young Rook, who fancies himself a wild one, a wolf, finds the Sheriff of Nottingham’s son Tod in a man trap—an ugly steel vise that breaks his leg. Rook hates him on sight, as it was the Sheriff whose trap killed Rook’s father. But he calls Rowan to aid the boy, and even leads the band to his father’s abandoned hut, which he has not returned to since his father’s death. Rook’s working out of his grief and loss, Tod’s relationship with his abusive father, and Rowan’s gentle presence are in the foreground while the merry men and Robin serve as background, and supportive, adults. Young readers, whether or not they’ve devoured the first three will enjoy this one. (Historical fiction. 8-12)