Robin wishes he hadn’t tried his hacking skills on his principal’s computer. His planned escape is an epic fail, and now the wrong person is really angry…

Robin Hood lives with his big brother John and I.T specialist dad, Ardagh. They live in Locksley, a town floundering to survive after the lucrative car factories closed down. It’s flow-on effects are high unemployment, and run-down schools, leaving those who chose to stay in Locksley – very disgruntled.

Ardagh does his best to provide for his sons, who wonder what their lives would have been like if their father didn’t have such high principles. Ardagh was once was in partnership with two friends, building the now incredibly successful Captain Cash Pawn & Money lending franchise, but he walked away when his partners became greedy and corrupt.

These partners are Guy Gisborne (now a vicious Gangster with the Police in his pocket), and Sheriff Marjorie, (the youngest ever Sheriff), who turns a blind eye to Gisborne’s dealings and thugs. When Ardagh is unfairly dismissed from a job, he tells all who will listen what he thinks of his old business partner, bringing down a hail of trouble on himself and his boys. When escaping, Robin uses his well-honed archery skills to fight back, resulting in him becoming Gisborne’s top target.

Robin soon finds himself under the care of the Forest People – Sherwood Forest, to be exact. He’s always been led to believe that all in the forest are bloodthirsty bandits, but soon learns the truth. Here, he meets Marion Maid, the daughter of ‘Cut Throat’ – leader of a tough Biker Gang. The Forest People hate Gisborne and the Sheriff even more than the people of Locksley do, as they are denied any usual rights like schooling and hospital care.

Always in the back of Robin’s mind is his father, now thrown in prison. To get a defence lawyer will take money, and lots of it. Robin has another plan. Again it involves his hacking skills, but this time it has to work.

Just like Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games, Robin unwillingly finds himself held up as a hero for the underdog by all who hear of his battles with Gisborne. And he’s only just begun….

The classic story as you’ve never seen it before! Set in current, but hard times, Robin is only 12. He lives with his giant big brother ‘Little John’ and dad in Locksley, a town in decline ruled by corrupt officials and police.

Then there are the Forest People – of Sherwood Forest of course. There is Marion Maid, a girl who knows Sherwood forest like the back of her hand, and her cousin Freya Tuck. The setting might be modern but Robin’s skills with a bow are just as legendary as the classic, and also what get him into major trouble with the meanest gangster in town.

This is the first in a new series by the author of the phenomenally popular Cherub Series, and just as gripping, pumping moats of action and badness throughout the tale. I also enjoyed the clever chapter headings. This new Robin Hood is sure to be as popular – with short chapters, med-large font, and a twist or two to keep readers wanting more.

Author – Robert Muchamore

Age – 9+

Find Teacher’s Notes here

Read a review for the next book in the series (Click on the cover)

(Classic, Action, Archery, Arrows, Corruption, Violence, Motorbikes, Hackers, Computers, Robbery, Revenge, Spite, Family, Courage, Sherwood, Nottingham)