The Stolen Crown

September 15, 2017
Outlaw Elinor Dray and the League of Archers are back (League of Archers, 2016).The residents of Lord de Lays' lands are still suffering under the baron's cruelty and greed. Many have been displaced from their homes and have joined a growing village in Sherwood Forest, aided by the League of Archers. A banquet for the king offers the perfect opportunity for Ellie to steal money to fund their new community. But when the king is murdered at the banquet, Ellie's cover is blown, and she must rely on a strange boy--who turns out to be Stephen de Lays--to escape. Surprisingly, Stephen is keen to become a member of the League but soon shows his true colors, causing life-threatening problems, including rifts within the League. Meanwhile, Ellie feels the weight of caring for so many villagers, especially the mysterious young boy whom the League acquires in a botched robbery. Astute readers may ascertain the boy's identity, which is not the only predictable element of the story. Ellie's struggle to hold the League together, protect the villagers, and stay true to her beliefs in the face of dangerous Stephen's charisma is sympathetic, while her propensity for impetuosity is less forgivable this time around, as is the lack of diversity in the very white cast. A highly unlikely ending tests credulity. Fans of the first book will likely be pleased, but it doesn't invite new readers. (Historical fiction. 10-14)

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October 1, 2017

Gr 5 Up-The outlaw Eleanor Dray is back in this exciting, action-packed sequel featuring the League of Archers, a group of young men and women who follow in the steps of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. After saving Maid Marian from the clutches of the greedy and evil Lord de Lays, Eleanor (Ellie) and her friends have been hiding out in the Greenwood Tree and working toward a new goal: to build a farm where people can live free of the cruel taxation of de Lays. But when King John is murdered, Nottingham is thrown into disarray and a new level of vulnerability. Against her better judgement, Ellie allows a new addition to the League, someone with an intimate connection to de Lays. His presence throws the league out of balance, forcing Ellie to reexamine her role as leader. Just as in the first book, Howard finds a pleasing equilibrium between satisfying character development and heart-stopping adventure. Ellie is an admirable and relatable heroine who makes mistakes and wades right into the center of moral quandaries. Although she is still haunted by the lives she took during a fight, she bravely continues in her quest to be a fair and just outlaw: stealing from the rich only to improve the lives of the poor and downtrodden. Ellie also struggles with the challenges of leadership and the importance of learning to accept her own shortcomings and forgive others as well. VERDICT Give this to fans of the first book and young readers looking for underdog adventure stories. This series is an excellent addition to middle grade collections.-Kristy Pasquariello, Wellesley Free Library, MA

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