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(3)
YA
While visiting Nottingham for an archery competition, contemporary teen Ellie mysteriously stumbles into medieval England. Misunderstood and pursued by the sheriff's men, Ellie disguises herself as a boy and inadvertently initiates the legend of Robin Hood. Connolly's female-centered reimagining is entertaining; a clever concluding twist also enables a satisfying resolution to Ellie's familial and romantic troubles.
(4)
4-6
League of Archers series.
Ellie's leadership of the League of Archers is tested when she accepts a young nobleman into the troop and fails to protect the peasants sheltering in the Greenwood. Ellie eventually succeeds in forging new alliances and improving the lives of Nottingham's villagers. Second in the "Robin Hood" re-visioning series, this volume depends too heavily on nearly bloodless battles and relentlessly earnest heroes.
(3)
YA
Archer Merry Owen, a one-eyed Welsh teenager, discovers an invaluable book that may be a missing part of the legendary Mabinogion. This discovery sparks a quest through the streams of time and back, in which Merry must use all her skills to defend her family's farm from another family's multigenerational greed. Davies interweaves past and present cultures, filling both with fully realized characters.
(3)
4-6
League of Archers series.
The baron falsely identifies young orphan Elinor as the archer responsible for killing Robin Hood. Supported by four fellow-archer friends, Ellie takes to the forest to find the remnants of the Merry Men, save Maid Marian from execution, and salvage her own reputation. Howard cleverly reboots the "Robin Hood" legend, inserting a hefty dose of girl power and a reinvigorated sense of morality.
392 pp.
| Houghton
| December, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-544-66445-6$17.99
(4)
YA
When seventeen-year-old Britta's bounty hunter father is killed, allegedly by his former apprentice (and the object of Britta's affection), the talented young archer sets off on a quest to find his true killer. There's nothing groundbreaking about this fantasy adventure with a healthy dose of romance; nevertheless, Britta is an appealing heroine, making this a solid, if uninspiring, series-opener.
48 pp.
| ABDO
| January, 2015
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-62403-832-7$22.95
(3)
4-6
SportsZone: Hunting series.
These books delve into hunting for sport and food, reviewing the types of weapons and techniques most effective with different animals; Bowhunting focuses on techniques, purpose, and safety procedures. Hunting aficionados will find these books informative and exciting ("Thwack! The arrow finds its mark"). Photographs and sidebars enhance the texts. There are three other spring 2015 books in this series. Reading list. Glos, ind. Review covers these SportsZone: Hunting titles: Bear Hunting, Bowhunting, and Duck Hunting.
199 pp.
| Holiday
| April, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2277-7$16.95
(3)
4-6
In ancient China, Ren, the spoiled son of a military commander, secretly meets with gregarious peasant boy Hu to practice archery. While the two become unlikely friends, tensions rise between the Chinese military--which is poised for a barbarian attack--and the nervous townspeople. Rich cultural details are woven into this boy-friendly adventure, full of fighting, trickery, and difficult escapes.
32 pp.
| ABDO
| January, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59928-955-7$24.21
(4)
4-6
Checkerboard Adventure Library: Outdoor Adventure series.
Each book includes a brief history of the outdoor activity, commonly used gear and equipment, safety tips, and relevant rules and procedures. The texts are generally clear, but they can be redundant and condescending; though the writing is directed at upper-elementary readers, the design is babyish. Some sidebars and many photographs complement the texts. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Adventure Library: Outdoor Adventure! titles: Archery, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, and Hunting.