Rating: 
Summary: An escape and a reward
Review: I love to read. Sometimes it becomes more of an obsession than a hobby and sometimes I replace normal friends and normal social activities with my fictional ones. Robin McKinley has a voice unlike any other in modern literature. Her descriptions and realizations of legendary characters are hypnotizing. She takes Robin Hood and Maid Marion and their friends out of legend and brings them into the real world. I read this book when I'm happy and when I'm sad. It's an escape and a reward.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Piece
Review: This is the classic tale of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws, rewritten in the style of one of my favorite authors, Robin McKinley. If you like Robin Hood or historical fiction or just a good book, read this tale about Robin Longbow, his sweetheart Marian, and a bunch of other cool guys (and maybe some other girls!) I must retire to my bed now, haha, so read this and goodnight.
Rating:
Summary: Soooooo Amazing!!
Review: I love this book. Not only in Robin Hood my favourite fairy tale, this book gives him a real personality. And Marian's no wimp that has to be saved... With twists and turns this book is definately the best adaption of Robin Hood I've ever read
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST!!!
Review: this is THE BEST book I have read yet!!! it really got me started on reading robin hood stories. I looked at the cover and went "nope, looks to boring" then i ran out of books to read, that was the last on the shelve and i was desperate!! I picked it up and it was slow going at frist but VERY interesting! then it picked up and i read it again and AGAIN!!!! I deffenently (spelled right?) recomend (spelled right?) this book to people 12 and older!!! read it if you know whats best for you (joke)!!! (i clicked the wrong review thingy im really 13!!!)
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing.
Review: I will admit that it's wonderfully done and realistic, and for that it deserves more stars. But while I admire the craftsmanship and the beauty of this book, I am also a hopeless romantic and very affected by what I read, and so was dreadfully disappointed by the end. I think . . . though it was a fair and decent end, it could have been rendered . . . more hopeful. I was, all in all, quite distressed.
Rating:
Summary: Riveting
Review: I found this story to be interesting and lively, as well as very elegantly written. McKingley is both ironic and humorous, and creates delightfully witty dialogues. Her characters are touchingly human and distinctive, from practical, pessimistic Robin to passionate young Cecily. I fell in love with each and every character in turn, though my favorite would have to be Cecily, with all her eager youth coupled with fierce pride and stubbornnes. The only complaint I have with this book is its length; I would have loved for the story to go more in depth and develop more subplots. Nevertheless it is a wonderful piece of storytelling.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Robin Hood Retelling
Review: First of all, I must say that I don't agree with the reading level above (definitely for ages 8-14, not 4-8). And then I have to agree with most other reviewers by saying "THIS BOOK IS AWESOME - YOU HAVE GOT TO READ IT!!!!!!!" The storyline is basically a retelling of Robin Hood. (that's sort of obvious after reading the title - Outlaws of Sherwood) Robin McKinley has all the characters I've heard of in all the Robin Hood stories I've read. I think. Anyway, there's Robin and Marian (duh) and the Sheriff of Nottingham, Little John, Will Scarlet, and King Richard and Prince John. And lots of others. I loved this book - so READ IT!For people who read it already, and are reading this review in hopes of finding more Robin Hood books, you're in luck! More books-
The Forestwife, by Theresa Thomlinson (and sequel Child of the May)
and for adults, Lady of the Forest is an awesome Robin Hood story(but not for children)
There's not many good books (interesting ones) about Robin Hood.
But if you like Robin Hood, definately read The Outlaws of Sherwood. 8-)
Rating:
Summary: A really great book
Review: The Outlaws of Sherwood was a very good book. I've read other Robin McKinley, so when I saw this one, I said "what the heck, why not try it?" Once I started, I couldn't put it down. Everyone is familliar with the general idea of the Robin Hood story, but this book gives the characters dimension. Robin is far from perfect, Tuck has more to him then laughing and being jolly, and the band of Merry Men isn't exactly living the good life in a laid back forest, occasionally snatching up money from the rich with ease. This is definetly one of my favorite McKinley books. It's really for ages 11 up. It's especially good to read if you have read other Robin Hood stories.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant Storytelling!
Review: The Outlaws of Sherwood tells the tale of Robin Hood in ways that we have never seen him before. The author, Robin McKinley, doesn't picture him as the always right, always perfect outlaw and expert archer that has inspired books, movies, and TV shows. She creates him as a more human charecter that is often moody, and only a satisfactory archer. But still he is no less heroic than in the fairy tales we have heard before. He is still just as loyal, brave, and wonderful. Robin McKinley brings Robin and other well known characters (Maid Marian, Will Scarlet, Little John, Frair Tuck to name a few) to a new light. The story begins when Robin, accidentally committing an unforgivable act is forced into hiding. With the help of his good friend (Marian and Much) and a few new ones they start out a new life in Sherwood forrest. Soon rumors are traveling across the land about Robin Hood, an debonair, brave, skilled archer who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Robin and his friends are seen as heros, but how long will this last? McKinley writes beautifully and really brings the story to life. If you're a fan of Robin Hood, or want to be I reccomend this book to you! It's really just amazing!
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Summary: Age-level correction
Review: Your site has this advertised as a picture book for ages 4-8.
You've not read the book and/or you've made an error. Please look inside a copy, even!
I have read "The Outlaws of Sherwood." As in all her books, McKinley masterfully combines sound and meaning of advanced vobcabulary to create poetic magic in her storytelling.
Ethelyn Lunt
Elementary School Media Center Specialist
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