- Crispin: The Cross of Lead
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Crispin: The Cross of Lead 
First edition coverAuthor(s) Avi (or Edward Irving Wortis) Country England Series Crispin Genre(s) Young adult novel, Historical novel Publisher Hyperion Books Publication date June 2011 Media type Print (Hardback & Paperback) Pages 297 pp ISBN ISBN 0-7868-0828-4 (first edition, hardback) OCLC Number 48559447 LC Classification PZ7.A953 Cr 2002 Followed by (crispin: At the Edge of the World) Crispin: The Cross of Lead is a 2002 children's novel written by Avi. It was the winner of the 2003 Newbery Medal.[1] Its sequel, Crispin: At the Edge of the World, was released in 2006. The final book that completes the triology, Crispin: The End of Time was released in 2010.
Plot summary
Crispin: The Cross of Lead begins the day after Crispin’s mother, Asta, dies some time in 1377. Asta’s death sets a chain of events in motion that disrupts the dull but stable life Crispin had known up to that point. Crispin overhears John Aycliffe, the local steward, speaking with a stranger. When they realize he has been listening, they try to capture him. Failing, they make a public proclamation that Crispin stole from the manor house and declare him a “wolf’s head” a crimanal outside of human society, who can be killed by anybody, anywhere. The village priest, Father Quinel, advises Crispin to leave town and start life somewhere else. As he is fleeing to start a new life, the steward is constantly on the look out for him. When Crispin starts to flee, he finds a village. This village is populate by no one except one large strong man nicknamed "the Bear". The Bear talks to Crispin once Crispin tells the Bear he is a wolf's head. The man grabs Crispin by the arm and makes Crispin swear to be his loyal servant. Bear, a traveling juggler, political agitator, and spy protects Crispin, helps him understand the society in which they live, and trains him to be a man, as his absent father never did. Crispin’s world had been so limited that every new encounter is a roller coaster; some are terrible, but some are wonderful. Through a series of adventures, Bear and Crispin become essentially foster father and son. As they do, they forge a new destiny and identity for Crispin, making him brave where he was frightened, inquisitive where he was passive, and free where he was essentially chained.
Characters
- Crispin - Is a 13 year old boy who has lived as a peasant his entire life, until his mother's death and subsequent accusations against him forced him to flee his village. He has very few skills and no self confidence when he begins his journey. However, during his travels with Bear, he begins to develop both, and by the end has become an individual that he is proud to be. Although he doesn't know it, he is secretly the illegitimate son of Lord Furnival, which is the cause of his misfortunes. Crispin is deeply religious, and often prays to his patron saint, St. Giles.
- Bear - A traveling jester and entertainer who group during his travels. He has two sides, like a bear, gentle and agressive
- John Ball - The only historical figure in the novel, who plays a small but important role. He and his group are seen preparing for their Peasants' Revolt, despite Bear's insistence that it is not yet the right time.
- Father Quinel - The only friend to Crispin and his mother, and is the one who tells Crispin his name and gives him his mothers cross. He is killed early in the book.
- Goodwife Peregrine - The old lady back in Stromford who gave Crispin's pouch that contained seeds and the cross.
- Widow Daventry - The barmaid at the Green Man Tavern, who lets Bear and Crispin spend the night.
- Asta-Crispin's mother who was shunned and cast out of society by all except for Father Quinel.
- Cerdic - Traitorous young boy that tries to turn in Crispin to John Aycliffe for his twenty shilling reward.
References
Awards Preceded by
A Single ShardNewbery Medal recipient
2003Succeeded by
The Tale of DespereauxCategories:- 2002 novels
- American children's novels
- Novels by Avi
- Newbery Medal winners (book)
- 21st-century
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