Rowan Hood: Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with their identity or feeling rejected by a parent. It is a powerful choice for middle-grade readers who feel like outsiders or are struggling to find where they belong within their family tree. The story follows thirteen-year-old Rosemary, who disguises herself as a boy named Rowan after her mother's death to seek out her father, the legendary Robin Hood. When he initially rejects her because of her gender, she must build her own family and define her own worth. It handles themes of grief, gender roles, and self-reliance with a blend of historical adventure and light fantasy elements. Parents will appreciate how it validates the pain of parental disappointment while modeling the strength found in chosen friendships and personal resilience.