Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Shadows of Sherwood
Kekla Magoon
Shadows of Sherwood
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
a Robyn Hoodlum adventure
by Kekla Magoon
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What if your parents suddenly vanished and a mean ruler took over your city? Imagine joining a group of daring misfit kids who break the rules to fight back and bring justice. But can Robyn find her parents before everything changes forever?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book is a modern retelling of the Robin Hood legend, following twelve-year-old Robyn as she navigates a city ruled by a harsh governor after her parents disappear. Suitable for early readers aged 5-8, it combines adventure and themes of resistance with a focus on bravery and friendship. Parents should note that the story involves elements of danger and government oppression, but these are handled in an age-appropriate way.
Why we rated Shadows of Sherwood 8ME
Shadows of Sherwood is written at a Level 3-4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 650L across 355 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Shadows of Sherwood works for readers up to grade 5.5.
We rate Shadows of Sherwood as 8ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Shadows of Sherwood explores adventure, resistance to government, friendship, coming of age, and fiction — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, resistance to government, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" 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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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781619636347
- Pages
- 355
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing USA
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 650L