Reviewed by: Michael Thal
Genre: Folk Tales/Myths/Middle Grade
Approximate word count: 5-6,000 words
Availability
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Author:
At 19,
Emily Bradburn knows what excites little boys. Her first co-authored book is
filled with the fantasy boys crave. She is also experimenting with sci-fi,
mystery/thrillers, and historical fiction. When she’s not writing, Emily rides
and trains horses.
Emily’s
cousin, Amanda Bradburn enjoys writing Christian Fantasy. She first started
writing at the age of seven. Her first novel, Keepers of Elenath, was published in 2009.
Description:
Robin Hood
is a 12-year-old thief sponsored by “Grandma” who plans the crimes. Once the
band of 10-12 year old thieves has the contraband, one of them needs to take
the goods to Grandma’s house wearing a girl’s red riding hood. To Robin Hood,
this is a fate worse than death.
This time,
it’s Robin’s turn to make the drop-off. Begrudgingly, Robin dons the
flower-scented girl wear and heads off to see Grandma. Along the path in
Sherwood Forest he is stopped by the Sheriff of Noddinhead, the chief of a pack
of no good Wolves.
Appraisal:
The
Bradburn cousin writing team spins a fun yarn for 8-12 year old boys that will
keep them turning pages. The short story is part Grimm’s Fairy Tale, part
English folklore, with a touch of Dicken’s Oliver
Twist.
This more
mature reader felt that the setting could have been shown better from the start
to bring the reader into the story faster.
Throughout
the plot there were clever references to the fairy tale, Little Red Riding Hood and the English Robin Hood folktale; a gimmick that is sure to bring readers back
for more of Robin’s future adventures.
Though the
humor in the story kept this reader smiling, greater plot development,
motivation for the crimes, and tension should be included in future episodes.
Format/Typo Issues:
No
significant issues.
Rating: *** Three stars
1 comment:
This sounds kinda fun. Need to go add it. Thanks! :)
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