The ''Tales of Rowan Hood'' are a series of five books by

Nancy Springer Nancy Springer (born July 5, 1948) is an American author of fantasy, young adult literature, mystery, and science fiction. Her novel ''Larque on the Wing'' won the Tiptree Award in 1994. She also received the Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers ...

. The first book, which was published in 2001 by

Philomel Books Philomel Books is a children's literature imprint of Penguin Books USA. The imprint was founded by Ann Beneduce, who was succeeded as publisher by Patricia Lee Gauch. Philomel publishes the series of children's books '' The Ranger's Apprentice' ...

, focuses on a young girl who dresses as a boy and goes to join

Robin Hood Robin Hood is a legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore and subsequently featured in literature and film. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. In some versions of the legend, he is depic ...

's men, in part because her father is Robin Hood.

Plot

''Rowan Hood: Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest'' (2001)

The book features a girl named Rosemary, the daughter of

and a healer. When her mother, Celandine, is burned alive in her home as a witch, Rosemary disguises herself as a boy, adopts the name Rowan, and leaves to find her father. Along the way she meets a dog she names Tykell, and the minstrel Lionel. She is accidentally spotted by

Guy of Gisborne Sir Guy of Gisbourne (also spelled Gisburne, Gisborne, Gysborne, or Gisborn) is a character from the Robin Hood legends of English folklore. He first appears in "Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne" (Child Ballad 118), where he is an assassin who atte ...

, who is enraged when she refuses to give her bow and arrows to him.

''Lionclaw: A Tale of Rowan Hood'' (2001)

Lionel's father wants to kill and places a bounty on Lionel. Bounty hunters learn that Lionel and Rowan are friends, so capture and torture Rowan to draw out Lionel.

''Outlaw Princess of Sherwood: A Tale of Rowan Hood'' (2003)

Ettarde escapes an arranged marriage and rescues her mother from her abusive husband.

''Wild Boy: A Tale of Rowan Hood'' (2004)

Tod, the son of the sheriff of Nottingham, is captured by Robin Hood's group, and caught in a man trap.

''Rowan Hood Returns: The Final Chapter'' (2005)

After learning the identities of the four people who killed Celandine, Rowan sets out with the others on a journey to kill them for revenge.

References

Series of children's books Robin Hood books Children's historical novels American children's novels 2000s children's books Novels by Nancy Springer Parallel literature {{2000s-child-novel-stub