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will love Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book.  nittnut | Jan 2, 2010 |    nkuhn | Nov 24, 2009 | This historic tale set in the Middle Ages begins when Crispin suddenly finds himself alone in the world after the death of his mother. Just as suddenly, he is accused of a crime he did not commit and is forced to flee for his life. As he leaves the village where he has spent his entire life, heading anywhere as long as it is away from his pursuers, questions plague Crispin: Why does someone want him dead? What does the inscription say on his mother’s lead cross? And can he trust the strange traveler that he meets on the road? This story presents an interesting picture of medieval times. It takes the reader back to an era when most people couldn’t read, feudalism reigned, and stepping foot outside your town was an adventure. I found it an enjoyable tale. (  ) multilingualmaid | Nov 6, 2009 | This is a fantasy (  ) behr31 | Nov 6, 2009 | Predictable. The vocabulary can be difficult. Bountiful Library has the book on tape which might be easier to comprehend. (  ) eroberts.teach | Jul 14, 2009 |  no reviews | add a review
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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
(retrieved from Amazon Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:53:56 -0500)
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The language is fairly simple, but well suited to the subject matter and the age of the intended readers. (