Wild Boy: A Tale of Rowan Hood

by Nancy Springer Narrated by Emily Gray

Overview

Nancy Springer is a two-time recipient of the Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Mystery. Her beloved Rowan Hood books are favorites of young readers. Wild Boy, the fourth book of the series, tells the story of Rook-a feral, homeless orphan who stalks Sherwood Forest like a wild animal. Ever since the Sheriff of Nottingham killed his father, Rook has screamed for vengeance. Now with the evil Sheriff 's son caught in one of his man-traps, Rook may finally get the chance to exact his revenge.

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Rook, another member of the band of Sherwood Forest outlaws from the author's "Rowan Hood" series (Philomel), faces more than one kind of demon and deals with a dark internal struggle. Orphaned when one of the Sheriff of Nottingham's man traps kills his father, the young man carries bitterness and hatred within and compares himself to the wild wolves that roam free and answer to no one, though he can't quite bring himself to separate from Rowan's band. When a man trap catches the Sheriff's son and Rook finds him, he must decide whether to leave Tod to die in revenge or to help him. His choice sets in motion a chain of events that brings Rook out of the darkness and breaks the stone wall around his heart. Tod, too, faces truths about his evil father and literally rides off into the sunrise a changed man on an adventure of self-discovery. More psychological in nature than the other books in the series, the story nonetheless offers adventure and suspense. The rich, descriptive language and the humor will engage readers as well. Though the novel is short, Springer masterfully develops Rook's character and makes him someone with whom readers will empathize. Fans of the series won't be disappointed, and newcomers should be able to follow the story line as well.-Cheri Dobbs, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

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)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171025731
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	05/23/2008
Series:	Rowan Hood , #4
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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