No Good Deed

Olympics-bound archer Ellie Hudson is in Nottingham, England, for a tournament when a detour into off-limits caves transports her back in time. Emerging in the Middle Ages, with Richard the Lionheart reigning and Prince John vying for the throne, Ellie immediately finds herself on the wrong side of the law, pursued by the sheriff of Nottingham and his forest rangers. Disguised as a boy, she teams up with Sir James, a Templar knight turned cleric; a gangly boy named Much; and two rogues, Will Scarlett and Little John. In the role of Robin Hood, Ellie finds her modern idealism leading her to challenge the rich and powerful in the name of the poor and disenfranchised. Debut author Connolly’s historic Nottingham is richly imagined and described, and she cleverly incorporates differences in the English language, law, and gender roles into this fresh take on the Robin Hood mythology. Ellie’s newfound allies’ lack of concern over her modern clothes and speech requires some suspension of disbelief, but this historical caper is well worth it. Ages 14–up. [em]Agent: Lucienne Diver, Knight Agency. (July) [/em]