About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is feeling overwhelmed by expectations or the pressure to lead a group they did not ask to head. While it is a retelling of the Robin Hood legend, Robin McKinley strips away the mythic invulnerability to reveal a group of young people struggling with the heavy moral and physical reality of survival. It is a story about how a leader is often just the person most willing to listen and organize for the good of the community. Through the lens of 12th-century England, the book explores themes of justice, loyalty, and the formation of a chosen family. It is best suited for readers aged 12 and up who appreciate historical detail and characters who feel like real, flawed humans rather than superheroes. Parents will appreciate the thoughtful depiction of Maid Marian as an equal partner and the nuanced look at what it truly costs to stand up against systemic unfairness.
