THE LEGEND OF ROBIN GOODFELLOW

Cricket’s lighthearted novel of magic for tweens and teens looks at the humble beginnings of a famous figure of English mythology.

Robin Goodfellow doesn’t mean to misbehave; it’s just that pranks and charms come naturally to him. Raised by his mother in a small English village, he spends his days cavorting around the countryside and only occasionally completing his chores. His godmother is furious about his lack of religious observance, but he just can’t seem to keep the prayers straight in his head. When the local lord dies, Robin’s village is shaken by the arrival of a greedy new baron who will rule until the late lord’s young heir comes of age. Robin’s personal life is upended when he faces an unexpected tragedy—just as he discovered a new world of magic after meeting a shepherd named Oberon in a nearby forest. Especially significant is his discovery of a knife with mysterious markings that aids him in unexpected ways. From then on, Robin lives on the outskirts of society, helping his neighbors with secret good deeds, aided by small charms he learned from his mother. Cricket delightfully captures the capricious thoughts of young Robin, and the account of the protagonist’s journey to understanding his faerie nature is captivating. Especially enchanting are the folksy rhyming charms that Robin calls upon to accomplish his tasks, adding an air of homespun authenticity to the happenings: “Listen to my stone, lazy blade/ And work will never wear you down./ Ever sharp be your golden song,/ Music of meadow mowing the dawn.” The other characters, both friends and foes, are well developed, and Robin’s best friend, a girl named Kit, becomes an important catalyst at several key moments. Adding an additional layer of intrigue is a rescue plot toward the end, which also features Robin coming to terms with his position between the human and faerie societies.

A charming origin story for young readers and lovers of folktales.