From School Library Journal
Grade 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 © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gr. 3-6. When "wild boy" Rook discovers Tod, the sheriff of Nottingham's son, caught in a mantrap, he is torn between vengeance (after all, the sheriff had no mercy when Rook's own father was similarly injured) and grudging pity. The latter wins out. When the recovering Tod admits that his father is abusive, hard questions arise: "Was it perhaps better to have a kindly father, dead, than a cruel one, alive?" They begin to chip away at Rook's "creature of the forest" invulnerability, and further cement his ties to irascible Robin, gentle Rowan, and the other members of his improvised family. As in the three previous books in the Tales of Rowan Hood series, Springer assumes the point of view of a character who played only a supporting role in a previous book. This unusual approach, along with plenty of merrie-olde-England atmosphere and action, will keep fans of the series from minding that the plot lines are a bit predictable. The narrative assumes some prior knowledge of Springer's Sherwood Forest, so give this to readers who are familiar with the series. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

ANNOTATION

Determined to avenge the death of his swineherd father at the hands of the Sheriff of Nottingham, Rook finally gets his chance when the Sheriff's son is captured by Robin Hood.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Ever since the Sheriff of Nottingham killed his father,Rook has run wild as a wolf through Sherwood Forest, dreaming of vengeance. Now, he has come face-to-face with his chance. Not with the Sheriff himself, but with the evil man's son, snared by one of his own father's man-traps. Will Rook take the vengeance he craves, or will he remember he was not always a wild boy?

Filled with clashes of sword and emotion, this page-turning new installment in Nancy Springer's Tales of Rowan Hood will leave readers eager to return to Sherwood, where survival is a daily battle.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Sylvia Firth

This is the fourth novel in the "Rowan Hood" series and the author seems very at home in Sherwood Forest—her characters are very vivid and alive. In this tale, Rook is seeking revenge for the death of his father in a man trap set by the Sheriff of Nottingham. Rook no longer thinks of himself as human, rather he is a creature of the wild and often sees himself as a wolf. The conflict emerges when the Sheriff's son Tod is caught in another of the man traps set by his father. Rook comes upon him and when Tod begs for help, all Rook can think of is vengeance. But there are glimmerings of the human he used to be and Robin Hood's daughter Rowan is constantly urging Rook to again become that boy. Teens already familiar with the series will happily read this engrossing story and eagerly wait for the next installment. Others who are just meeting Rook, Rowan, Beau, Lionel and the others for the first time will surely go in search of the first three volumes. 2004, Philomel Books, Ages 10 to 14.

VOYA - Diane Emge

The exciting adventures continue in this fourth installment of Springer's Rowan Hood stories. This tale focuses on Rook, a young boy who has virtually assumed the identity of a wolf. Furious and hurt over the murder of his father who was executed under the order of the Sheriff of Nottingham, Rook seeks hard comfort in the simple ways of a wild animal. His only real emotional connection is to Rowan, the daughter of Robin Hood, herself a healer and a leader of a band of outlaws. When Rook discovers the son of the hated Sheriff, caught in a mantrap, all his animal instincts tell him to leave the boy to die. But Rook discovers that leaving his humanity aside is not all that simple. Springer is again in her element as she orchestrates the Merry Men (and Women) in their adventures. Readers of the series will be pleased to be reunited with goodhearted Lionel and lively Beau, and Rowan has matured into a character almost as legendary as her father. For readers just beginning the series with this title, there will undoubtedly be some confusion at references to past adventures, but one would hope that they are just enough to pique their curiosity. The Rowan Hood tales continue to comprise a fine series for the younger end of the adolescent range, enjoyable for both boys and girls. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2004, Philomel, 160p., $16. Ages 11 to 15.

KLIATT - Paula Rohrlick

Springer continues her lively action-adventure series about the members of a band led by Rowan Hood, the daughter of Robin Hood, in this fourth tale, following Rowan Hood: Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest, Lionclaw, and Outlaw Princess of Sherwood. Young Rook has run wild in Sherwood Forest ever since the Sheriff of Nottingham let his father die, nursing his anger and desire for revenge. He has been aligned with Rowan's group but holds himself apart, rarely speaking and sleeping in the rough. When he comes across the Sheriff's son, Tod, caught in a trap in the forest, Rook sees his chance for vengeance, but despite his hatred of the boy's father he comes to his aid. Tod ran away because the Sheriff beat him, and Rook gradually comes to understand how lucky he is to have had a loving father, and to be part of the community of outlaws in the forest. When the Sheriff captures Rowan, they plan at first to exchange her for Tod, but in the end Rowan is rescued and Tod is sent to a safe haven. Rook's broken heart over his father's death starts to mend, and he accepts his place in Rowan's band, no longer a wild boy. This fast-moving tale will draw readers in quickly; however, it helps to have read the others in the series. Springer is a talented writer who nicely balances action with soul-searching and eloquent descriptions of the forest setting. A fine addition to a terrific series. (A Tale of Rowan Hood). KLIATT Codes: J*—Exceptional book, recommended for junior high school students. 2004, Penguin Putnam, Philomel, 128p., Ages 12 to 15.

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