Sherwood
Meagan Spooner
Sherwood
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Meagan Spooner
The text is written at a 8th 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
What happens when the hero you looked up to is gone, and the people who need him most are in danger? In Locksley town, Maid Marian faces a tough choice: let the evil Sheriff’s right hand take over or become the hero herself. But can Marian live up to the legend of Robin Hood?
Quick Assessment
Sherwood is a middle-grade fantasy novel reimagining the classic Robin Hood tale with a strong, gender-flipped heroine. Suitable for ages 9-12, it explores themes of bravery, justice, and self-discovery, with some mild fantasy violence and peril as Marian fights against the Sheriff of Nottingham's oppression. The story encourages empowerment and resilience without intense or graphic content.
Why we rated Sherwood 12LE
Sherwood is written at a Level 8 reading level across 469 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Sherwood works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Sherwood as 12LE ("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, Sherwood explores adventure, fantasy world-building, coming of age, family, and friendship — 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 adventure, fantasy world-building, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — 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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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062422330
- Pages
- 469
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction