Crispin: The Cross of Lead

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The plot was engaging and made it hard to put the book down. The narrow escapes Crispin had as he was running from Aycliffe’s men pushed the boundaries of being realistic, but the conflicts Crispin had with other characters, society, and his own ideas were captivating. I particularly enjoyed the way Avi wove historical facts about village life, the plagues, the church, the lack of sanitation and fresh air in the cities, and social hierarchy into the story. His descriptions are vivid, sometimes making me wish I were there: “Before me – like some rolled out tapestry – was my entire world, beneath a sky as blue as Our Lady’s blessed robes, a contrast to the greening spring that lay abundant show more everywhere”. . . (p. 19). Some of the descriptions are so graphic that I would warn teachers before they read this book aloud: “It was a man – for so he had once been. Now his face was moldy green and much contorted, with a protruding tongue of blue that reached his chin. One eye bulged grotesquely”. . .(p. 63). Another warning I would give to teachers is that the subject of religion is common. Crispin prays in nearly every chapter, Bear brings up reformation theology (although the story is set pre-reformation), and Crispin’s faith changes as he becomes more self-deterministic. This may make some people uncomfortable, although it is part of the historical context, rather than proselytization.
Overall, I would recommend the book for upper elementary or intermediate students, especially if they are interested in historical fiction or adventure. Students who are not proficient readers may need support to understand the medieval vocabulary that is included, although there is a glossary in the back of the book. Some possible uses for this book in classrooms include supplemental reading for social studies classes looking at medieval society, as a way to build background prior to reading Middle English literature or Shakespeare, or as part of a study of oppression and freedom. show less

For some reason this is the first of Avi's many books I have read, but I'm already into [b:Crispin: The Edge of Time|7720445|Crispin The End of Time|Avi|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1279145141s/7720445.jpg|10468091] because I just had to know what happened next. The book is set in 1377 in England, and the protagonist, Crispin, does not even know his name when the book opens. He has lived all his life (13 years or so) in a small village with his mother, who just calls him "Son." No one else calls him anything but "Asta's son" when they speak to him at all, for he and his mother are virtually outcasts in the village society. Life is not too good, but when his mother dies it mysteriously becomes even worse and he ends up fleeing for show more his life. On the road he meets Bear, an itinerant juggler and follower of John Ball (look him up!) More adventures ensue. One could call this a coming-of-age novel, and I usually hate coming-of-age novels, but not this one.

The tale is told in the first person and one of the things I liked was that Crispin's voice and thoughts seem truly realistic for a fourteenth-century child. (Technically we would say a teenager, but at that time and place there was no such thing -- you were a child or a man/woman and Crispin sees his life that way.) He is deeply religious; thoughts of Jesus, Mary and the saints are always with him and he seeks their aid in a way I'm not sure even most Roman Catholics do today. For that reason, although the book is aimed at an audience a little old for reading aloud, I think it would make a good book for parents and children to read together or simultaneously and then discuss.

The only thing that surprised me about this book's winning the Newbery Medal was that it's the first of a trilogy and the ending might well have "to be continued" after it. But then again, a book whose ending propels the reader breathlessly on to the next -- what more could a librarian ask for?

I'm reading the Honor Books for each year along with the Medalist. So far I've finished one Honor Book and am listening to another -- [b:Surviving the Applewhites|548609|Surviving the Applewhites|Stephanie S. Tolan|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1200866837s/548609.jpg|1341211] and [b:Pictures of Hollis Woods|828084|Pictures of Hollis Woods|Patricia Reilly Giff|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1178734285s/828084.jpg|1685656], both of which are about modern-day foster children. [b:Crispin: Cross of Lead|353342|Crispin The Cross of Lead (Crispin, #1)|Avi|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174014123s/353342.jpg|1374812] is also about a foster child, in a way. One of the complaints about the Newberys has been that they often focus on "problem books." Yet, problems do exist, and children encounter them both in their own lives and those of their classmates; I was impressed with the way all three of these books handled the issues and still were entertaining. show less

Sometimes I ran, sometimes all I could do was walk. All I knew was that if the steward overtook me, I'd not survive for long....

Crispin is a poor thirteen-year-old peasant in medieval England. Accused of a crime he did not commit, he has been declared a "wolf's head," meaning he may be killed on sight, by anyone. He flees his tiny village with nothing but his mother's cross of lead.

In the English countryside, Crispin meets a man named Bear, who forces Crispin to become his servant yet encourages him to think for himself. But as Crispin's enemies draw ever closer, he is pulled right into the fortress of his foes, where he must find a way to save their very lives.

This trilogy follows Crispin, a 13-year-old peasant boy in medieval England, as he is accused of a crime he didn't commit and hunted down by the steward of his area for reasons he can't fathom. He meets friends and allies as well as enemies, hunger, and despair. A riveting saga by a skilled author that kept me fully engaged. It deals with the great discrepancy between the poor and wealthy and the educated and ignorant in the feudal system of Medieval England, as well as the dominance of the superstitions of the Catholic church at the time. The first book won the Newbery Medal in 2003.

Content considerations:
Somewhat graphic in descriptions of death, battle, and wounds
The characters pray to and swear by God, Jesus, Mary, and many saints show more and devils show less

I liked this book for two reasons: the character development and the subject matter. Crispin grows throughout the book and finds himself. I liked that he started in the story as almost a blank slate. He has no given name other than “Asta’s son” and he is completely dependent on his religious faith for guidance. Because he starts with very little of his own personality, the reader sees someone invent themselves and discover their interests and beliefs.

Crispin begins to realize himself when he meet a self-appointed guardian and master named Bear. Bear challenges Crispin to think for himself. Instead of turning to his cross, Crispin thinks “I had already asked God for so much . . .perhaps it was time for me to make a decision for show more myself.” Later Crispin realizes that the challenges he faced allowed him to “claim a life of my own.” Because Crispin lives in a medieval society where people are chained to their position, I liked watching Crispin define himself and create a new life. I think the character development allows the reader to relate to a story set so far in the past.

I also liked the subject matter of the story. The story takes place in medieval England and discusses the rights of freedom. While the story focuses on Crispin and his trials, there is a subplot concerning revolt and the premise of equality of men. Bear, Crispin’s guardian, is a spy for the rebellion and he believes all men are created equal. He asks Crispin, “when Adam plowed the earth and Eve spun, who then was the gentlemen,” arguing that the system of nobility was unethical.

The author also shows how difficult life was for the peasants. When Crispin’s mother dies, he is taxed his only ox and his steward tells him “then starve.” I think the subject matter of equality challenges the reader to think about life in the past but also the conditions of freedom in the world today. Reading this book helped me think about how far we have come as a society.

The big idea of the book was self-determination. The plot focuses on Crispin making a name for himself in the world. He explores his talents in learning how to play the recorder. He becomes an apprentice and eventually a free man. He rises above his station as a serf and decides his own life’s path. Overall, I enjoyed the book and thought it contained an uplifting message. show less

The Cross of Lead is a good historical fiction YA novel without a gimmick, which, frankly, I'm happy about. I'm a little tired of wizard and dragon schools, dystopian novels that hinge on unique gifts, etc. This is an excellent old-fashioned historical novel set in England's Middle Ages. It was a nice adventure with good pacing.

Now, back to the other YA novel I'm reading about a world where fairies and spirits are trying to kill humans, and the main character is at a school to learn how to defeat them and possibly become queen. I mean, I'm not completely against that type of YA novel, only the bad or middling ones.

In Crispin: The Cross of Lead, Avi richly recreates 14th century England in all of its squalor. Out of fear for his life, Crispin flees the only home he’s ever known into a wider and more dangerous world than he has ever imagined. Crispin’s ignorance and naivete, born of a hard life limited to the boundaries of his village, nearly get him killed several times to the frustration of both his companions and the more knowledgeable reader. However, his fear of change and eventual enjoyment in his newfound life ring true. Avi populates his story with credible and interesting characters, from a monk turned fool and spy to the petty village steward. The plot itself is fast-paced, encouraging the reader to continue reading while subtly show more imparting a great deal of information about life in medieval Europe. If being a Newbery Medal winner was not enough to recommend its potential appeal to preteen boys should encourage all libraries to add it to their collection. show less