Nancy Springer has published forty novels for adults, young adults and children. In a career beginning shortly after she graduated from Gettysburg College in 1970, Springer wrote for ten years in the imaginary realms of mythological fantasy, then ventured on contemporary fantasy, magical realism, and women's fiction before turning her attention to children's literature. Her novels and stories for middle-grade and young adults range from contemporary realism, mystery/crime, and fantasy to her critically acclaimed novels based on the Arthurian mythos, I AM MORDRED: A TALE OF CAMELOT and I AM MORGAN LE FAY. Springer's children's books have won her two Edgar Allan Poe awards, a Carolyn W. Field award, various Children's Choice honors and numerous ALA Best Book listings. Her most recent series include the Tales of Rowan Hood, featuring Robin Hood’s daughter, and the Enola Holmes mysteries, starring the much younger sister of Sherlock Holmes.
Ms. Springer lives in East Berlin, Pennsylvania.
Gr 4-7-Another entry into the popular genre of "alternate" tales, this is the story of Robin Hood's daughter by the woodwife Celandine. When her mother is immolated by the local gentry, 13-year-old Ro is left to fend for herself. She has no other family-her mother was part aelfe and ostracized by her human family-and she has never met her father. She disguises herself as a boy and makes her way to Sherwood Forest. She quickly makes an enemy of Guy of Gisborn, the local thug, and then becomes an outlaw. Ro eventually finds Robin and his men, but, fearing that he won't want a girl around, she doesn't tell him who she is. She forms her own band of comrades: her wolf-dog Tykell; Lionel, an oafish bard with a magical voice; and Etty, a runaway princess. When Robin is captured and sentenced to death, Ro and her friends rescue him and she treats his wounds. She reveals her secret and the two of them promise to be nearby when there is need. Ro is a likable character but her story is not well paced. The characters are not given ample time to develop, and story lines are not fully explored. Readers seem to be dropped in the middle of some scenes, and it takes a minute to figure out what is happening. Still, those who liked Theresa Tomlinson's The Forestwife (1995) and Child of the May (1998, both Orchard) will probably enjoy this one as well, though they will wish to know more.-Cheri Estes, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
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