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Summary
Summary
In this gripping retelling of the Robin Hood legend, a mute boy escapes his cruel master and begins a journey of self-discovery when he stumbles into the hideaway of Robin Hood.
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-7-Dummy, a mute orphan with only hazy memories of his past, serves a cruel master. After a particularly vicious beating, he gathers the courage to run away-no small feat in his weak, near-starved state. Forced to enter the dreaded Sherwood Forest to elude the men who pursue him, he literally falls into Robin Hood's secret lair. There he is treated kindly and nursed back to health, though Marian regards him with suspicion, thinking he may be a spy. He soon comes to love his new life-he makes friends, becomes Robin's favored companion, learns the art of archery, gains Marian's trust and respect at last, and rediscovers his voice and his identity. Furlong's prose beautifully and magically evokes the medieval forest setting, and the many characters come to life quite vividly. The story line is rather predictable, but there is sufficient tension and excitement in the plot to inspire readers with a budding interest in British Isles legends and folklore to explore the genre further.-Vanessa Elder, School Library Journal (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
A temporarily mute, amnesiac orphan boy finds himself among Robin Hood and his merry men in Sherwood Forest. Ages 10-13. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
Dummy, a ten-year-old boy who is mute, escapes from a cruel master and plunges deep into Sherwood Forest. Though Marian suspects he is a spy, he eventually finds his place in Robin Hood's band, recovering his voice and knowledge of his parentage. The young age of the main character and the simplicity of the tale make the book accessible. From HORN BOOK 1995, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 4-6. Dummy, who is mute, is an abused servant on a small farm near Sherwood Forest. When a chance to run away presents itself, he escapes into the forest, where he falls, literally, into the home of Robin Hood and his men. Two very different plots are thus entwined--one involves the return of King Richard; the other, the return of Dummy's speech and the discovery of Dummy's true identity (he's really the godson of the King, who incredibly recognizes him after many years). What will keep children reading are the descriptions of "playing house" in the forest; mastering bows; and being a guy among guys, with even Marian fitting in. Portrayed as tomboyish and happy in men's clothing, she's not at all the stereotypical nurturing woman. In fact, she's cool toward Dummy until she learns to trust him. Robin's fascination with trickery and danger is also distinctive, with Dummy eventually recognizing that Robin thrives on recklessness. There aren't any surprises here, and the resolution comes too quickly, but the book is filled with adventure and swagger that will attract readers. --Mary Harris Veeder
