The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley

On the way to Nottingham Fair, Robin is waylaid by a group of bullies. In self defense, he shoots and kills one of the king's foresters. This act sends Robin into hiding in Sherwood with a few of his friends. As word spreads, more Saxons displaced by harsh Roman overlords join him in the forest and for survival, they begin robbing Norman noblemen.

The Outlaws of Sherwood follows many of the well-known aspects of the Robin Hood legend, but gives depth and complexity to all its characters. Robin is not a perfect archer, nor the carefree outlaw we know. He is a man forced into exile and consumed with anxiety over his responsibility to keep a growing band of outlaws safe. He loves Marian, but fights with her constantly in an attempt to keep her safe and away from him camp. For lovers of the Robin Hood tales, this brings that story to life with much more detail and reality than most fireside stories. A good read for legend loving readers.

Recommended for ages 11 and up