Crispin: The Cross of Lead Review
In late 14th century England times are harsh for the common folk; desperate situations result in extreme measures and the people are spoiling for a rebellion against privileged nobility and corrupt clergy. The Great Plague recently wiped out much of the population, plus crippling weather conditions have yielded poor harvests and widespread starvation. Men in secret societies debate and ferment against exorbitant taxation and atrocities committed by the noble families upon people little better than slaves. But it takes great courage to undertake such sweeping social reforms and men have been hanged for much less.
A thirteen-year-old boy simply called "Asta's son" is swept up in great schemes beyond his control, when his scorned mother is buried and he finds himself unjustly branded both a thief--later a murderer--and a wolf's head: which means that he is to be considered living prey for any bounty hunter to capture and kill for a reward. The st arving, ragged boy is totally innocent, yet
he is clearly the object of some fiendish scheme. It is not what he has done but who he Is--even though he does not realize his highborn parentage. Forced to flee his hamlet of Stromford Village after the death of old Father Quinel--the only adult to befriend him--the boy is eventually captured by a giant bear of man, a strolling minstrel (also a secret spy for freedom). The only token of his former life and mysterious past consists of a cross of lead, given to those dying of the Black Death, with his highborn name inscribed on it.
Crispin, as he comes to call himself, learns many tricks of the trade from the rough and ready giant man: snaring birds, playing a pipe, simple juggling, to be observant, and to use a small weapon. Alas, he does not learn obedience to instructions.
When the fugitives arrive at Great Wexley, a Cathedral city, danger lurks around every corner, for there are those eager to betray both Bear and Crispin, for their own spiteful purposes. This coming-of-age tale reads quickly and captivates the interest from the start. Extensive dialogue carries the reader along on a current of what guessing what might happen.
The book includes a glossary of medieval terms used and a brief historical overview of the age, plus a short interview with AVI. Crispin's dreams (achieving his freedom, being his own man in a feudal society, and finding a father) make for swashbuckling reading, but his downtrodden spirit needs liberation as well. A delightful read for kids of all ages! Will the simple life of a jongleur suffice one who was to the manor born?
Crispin: The Cross of Lead Overview
Asta's son has no name. And, after the death of his mother, no family to protect him when he is accused of a crime he didn't commit. Declared a 'wolf's head' - meaning that anyone who catches him can kill him - he has no choice but to leave his village. All he can take with him on the journey is his newly revealed name - Crispin - and his mother's cross of lead. Travelling without purpose, through a countryside still ravaged by the effects of the plague, Crispin stumbles upon a juggler, a giant of a man known as Bear. Crispin becomes Bear's servant but the juggler is a strange master offering both protection and encouraging Crispin to think for himself. But Crispin is not safe and it becomes clear he is being relentlessly pursued. Why are his enemies so determined to kill him? Will the lessons Bear has taught him be enough to safeguard all that he now holds so dear...? Avi brings the full force of his storytelling powers to the world of medieval England.
Crispin: The Cross of Lead Specifications
Genre-jumping author Avi clocks in here with his 50th book, Crispin: The Cross of Lead, an action-packed historical narrative that follows the frantic flight of a 13-year-old peasant boy across 14th-century England.
After being declared a "wolf's head" by his manor's corrupt steward for a crime he didn't commit (meaning that anyone can kill him like a common animal--and collect a reward), this timid boy has to flee a tiny village that's the only world he's ever known. But before our protagonist escapes, Avi makes sure that we're thoroughly briefed on the injustices of feudalism--the countless taxes cottars must pay, the constant violence, the inability of a flawed church to protect its parishioners, etc. Avi then folds in the book's central mystery just as the boy is leaving: "Asta's son," as he's always been known, learns from the village priest that his Christian name is Crispin, and that his parents' origins--and fates--might be more perplexing than he ever imagined.
Providing plenty of period detail (appropriately gratuitous for the age group) and plenty of chase-scene suspense, Avi tells a good story, develops a couple of fairly compelling characters, and even manages to teach a little history lesson. (Fortunately, kids won't realize that they're learning about England's peasant revolt of 1381 until it's far too late.) (Ages 10 to 14) --Paul Hughes
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Customer Reviews
Good and fast-paced - EssieGee - Chicago, IL
"Asta's Son," as he is called, is left to his own devices when his mother dies in 1377 in the tiny, poor English village of Stromford. He doesn't have a family and knows nothing of his father. All his mother leaves him is a cross of lead that he carries with him as he flees his village when declared a "wolf's head"--a person who can be killed on sight--for allegedly committing a crime. His priest, the one person he trusts, is murdered after trying to help and telling Asta's Son his real name (which is Crispin). Crispin's world has turned upside-down.
After days trying to survive on his own in the woods, Crispin encounters a huge man in an abandoned church named Bear. Bear forces Crispin to swear to name him his new master. At first, Crispin despairs over this, but as time goes by, he realizes that Bear is a smart, kind man who truly cares about his well-being. Although Bear treats Crispin well, he keeps secrets from him, such as: who is Bear really, how does he know how to read and write, and why is it so important that he get to the town of Great Wexly for the Feast of John the Baptist? Of course, it doesn't help that they keep running into the man who declared Crispin a "wolf's head" either--even in the huge town of Great Wexly.
This book is a great, fast-paced read. Crispin, who at first seems a bit wishy-washy and timid, grows hugely as a character and we end up rooting for him as he fights (yes, fights!) for who and what matters to him.
Crispin, The Cross of Lead - K. Lane - Charlotte, NC
The book was for my daughter to have for class. It was in the condition I expected.
Newberry? - GirlsNGlasses - South TX USA
My daughter had to read this for her 5th grade English class. 1) I'm surprised a book with such strong religious and adult content was allowed in a public school. But we're dealing with the teacher on that one. But to the book itself.
Avi does a great job of capturing the character's voice and painting the picture of a serf's life in medieval England. And that's about all I can say good about the book.
It's written as a mid-grade novel but the themes (namely: the illegitimate son of the Manor Lord being hunted down and Crispen's weakening need for religion as he "grows up") are not appropriate for this age.
I've answered my daughter's questions as needed but cannot recommend this book due to the disparity between the readability level and the content.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Aug 24, 2010 19:10:05
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