Book Report: Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter

Name (First Name, Last Initial)

Hannah K

Age

9

Book Title

Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter

Author(s)

Astrid Lindgren

Genre

Fantasy Action/Adventure

What is the setting of the book?

The setting of the book is in a mythological land. The main characters settle in Matt’s Forest, a gigantic forest with wild and unusual animals. Some of it takes place in Matt’s Fort, the robbers’ fort.

Who is/are the main character(s)? What are they like?

The main character is Ronia. She is stubborn and decisive, but very brave. Her father is Matt, a great robber chieftain. He is angered easily and grumpy. His rival is Borka. Borka’s son, Birk, becomes friends with Ronia. He is passionate and exciting.

What is the conflict of the story?

Matt and Borka are rivals, and they don’t know that their children are meeting secretly. Tensions rise high when one of Borka’s robbers shoots one of Matt’s robbers. Soon, Ronia and Birk make a pact to be siblings and run away together. They hide in a cave in the woods. Both robber chiefs are distraught.

What was the conclusion of the book?

Matt finds them and takes them back to the forts. Matt and Borka decide to join forces! They fight to determine who will be the chief, and Matt wins–the sole robber chief in the land! He plans to pass it down to Ronia and Birk. However, both children make a pact that they will never be robbers.

While reading the book, what were your emotions?

It felt exciting when Ronia and Birk started living in the woods (because their fathers were being fussy and mean to each other), and it was fun to see how they lived in the woods. The beginning was happy, when Ronia was born. I felt glad for Matt and Lovis (who is Matt’s wife).

Do you think the book had a moral? If so, what was it?

I don’t think it had a moral. One of the themes was “It’s not right to steal.” Ronia was confused when she learned her father was ‘taking things without asking’. Another was “There’s no place like home!” Ronia discovered she liked living with Birk but missed her family.

Star Rating

Selected Value: 9 (0 min / 10 max)

Why did you give the book this rating?

It made me feel like I was really in the forest with Ronia. They had very neat descriptions of Matt’s Fort, with its colossal halls and stone floors. I like how Ronia is a little grumpy sometimes. 🙂

What was your favorite/least favorite part?

My favorite part was when Ronia and Birk were living in the woods. That was fun, and it made me want to try! My least favorite part was the fight at the end, because it was really gruesome. I recommend skipping that part if you don’t like violence.

Would you recommend this book to others? Why?

I would recommend this book from ages 7 to 100. It was a little gruesome (mentioned in the upper box) but it was exciting, like when they were fleeing from the harpies. The harpies were a little scary too, actually! This is a great read on a winter day–it makes you feel cozy and happy.

How much action was in the book?

Selected Value: 6 (0 min / 10 max)

How much drama was in the book?

Selected Value: 1 (0 min / 10 max)

How much humor was in the book?

Selected Value: 3 (0 min / 10 max)

How much suspense was in the book?

Selected Value: 4 (0 min / 10 max)