Rowan Hood
Nancy Springer
Rowan Hood
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest
by Nancy Springer
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
The crisp rustle of leaves fills the air as Rowan, cloaked in shadows and secrets, treads carefully through Sherwood Forest. The scent of pine and earth wraps around her as she searches for a father she’s never met—the legendary Robin Hood. Every step brings hope and heartache, but Rowan’s courage shines in the darkest woods.
Quick Assessment
Rowan Hood follows a brave young girl who disguises herself as a boy to journey through Sherwood Forest in search of her father, the legendary Robin Hood. This middle-grade novel explores themes of family, identity, and adventure with gentle humor and fantasy elements suitable for ages 9 to 12. The story contains mild peril and emotional moments but remains appropriate for its target audience.
Why we rated Rowan Hood 9LE
Rowan Hood is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 192 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Rowan Hood works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Rowan Hood as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Rowan Hood explores family, adventure, fantasy world-building, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, adventure, fantasy world-building.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Based on content and theme analysis
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Hood
Jenny Elder Moke
Hood
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780698119727
- Pages
- 192
- Publisher
- Puffin Books
- Published
- September 16, 2002
- Type
- Fiction