Crispin: The Cross of Lead

Crispin: The Cross of Lead

By Avi

6 ratings 3 reviews 11 followers
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 4 - 8Grades 3 - 8W548194
"Asta's son" is all he's ever been called. The lack of name is appropriate, because he and his mother are but poor peasants in fourteenth-century medieval England. But this thirteen-year-old boy who thought he had little to lose soon finds himself with even less -- no home, family, or possessions. Accused of a crime he did not commit, he has been declared a "wolf's head." That means he may be killed on sight, by anyone. If he wishes to remain alive, he must flee his tiny village. All the boy takes with him is a newly revealed name -- Crispin -- and his mother's cross of lead.

His journey through the English countryside is amazing and terrifying. Especially difficult is his encounter with the juggler named Bear. A huge, and possibly even mad, man, Bear forces the boy to become his servant. Bear, however, is a strange master, for he encourages Crispin to think for himself.

Though Bear promises to protect Crispin, the boy is being relentlessly pursued. Why are his enemies so determined to kill him? Crispin is gradually drawn right into his enemies' fortress where -- in a riveting climax -- he must become a different person if he is to save Bear's life and his own.

He discovers that by losing everything, he has gained the most precious gift of all: a true sense of self.

A master of breathtaking plot twists and vivid characters, Avi brings the full force of his storytelling powers to the world of medieval England.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
ISBN-13: 9780689837777
ISBN-10: 0689837771
Published on 8/2/2004
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 272

Book Reviews (4)

Add a Rating

I decided to read it because I love to read adventure books, just like this book. Crispin: The Cross of Lead is about a orphan who is forced to run away from his home. He must find a settlement that he can blend into and stay away from the officials. This was a great story and i highly recommend it.

This book was very interesting. It was set several hundred years ago and was about a newly orphaned boy who is being accused of thievery and murder. He runs away from his cruel leader and fellow townsmen and meets up with bear. I think this is definitely a book for older kids and adults as this was a violent time period.

beast beast

crispin an peasant lives a terrible life. when the steward of his village declares him a wolf head he must flee or be killed. he then goes on a journey with a man called bear to find meaning in his life. along the way he faces numerous dangers.

In Crispin: the cross of lead by AVI, a young peasent named Crispin is living a horrid life. Crispin then finds out who his terrible father is along with an amazing friend named Bear. Crispin and Bear go on journey and find meaning in there life.....