Sherwood
Jane Yolen
Sherwood
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Original Stories from the World of Robin Hood
by Jane Yolen
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
What if you could step into the shoes of a legendary outlaw living deep in the Sherwood Forest? Imagine the thrill of sneaking through the shadows, outsmarting the greedy sheriff, and helping those in need. But can Robin Hood's daring adventures really change the fate of the oppressed?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Sherwood is a middle-grade collection of retold Robin Hood stories by Jane Yolen, designed for readers aged 9 to 12. The book offers accessible, engaging tales of heroism, justice, and friendship rooted in classic folklore. Parents should know that the stories include mild peril and themes of standing up against unfair authority, suitable for young readers interested in adventure and historical fiction.
Why we rated Sherwood 9LE
Sherwood is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 134 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Sherwood works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Sherwood 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, Sherwood explores adventure, friendship, historical, and juvenile fiction — 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, friendship, historical.
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780698119536
- Pages
- 134
- Publisher
- Puffin Books
- Published
- 2002
- Type
- Fiction