"Crispin: The Cross of Lead"

Summary of Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi
Asta's son does not have a name.  After his mother's death, mystery enshrouds his life.  The priest tells him that he was cristened "Crispin."  Accused of a crime he did not commit, the priest urges him to leave his home and promises more details when he meets him at the crossroads.  However, he finds the priest murdered and he is pursued by the steward's men at every turn.  In an abandoned village, he happens upon a stranger who calls himself Bear.  Bear seizes the boy as his slave, but really he is just protecting him and training him to take care of himself.  Bear is in a secret group that wants to give freedom to all of serfdom, but he is captured by the steward who wants to get back at Crispin. Crispin is the lord Furnival's son and lord Furnival has died, so the steward is in jeapoardy of losing his power. Crispin attempts a daring rescue, and is able to use his identity to release his friend Bear. In the end, Bear helps Crispin defeat Aycliffe (the steward) and he leaves his cross of lead with the steward; evidence that he was the son of Furnival. Crispin chooses freedom instead.

Avi. (2002).  Crispin: The Cross of Lead.  New York, NY.  Scholastic, Inc.

Personal Impressions of Crispin
I really enjoyed this story.  It was fast-paced and historically accurate. The portrayal of the hardships under serfdom really made the reader want freedom for the people of these times. The discovery that Lord Furnival was his father greatly endangered the boy from all sides.  Bear knew this early on, and chose to protect him.  The character of Bear was especially enjoyable.  He was jolly and full of talk about freedom, but also a spy and had a great temper.  His viewpoints on religion were scandalous during this time, as he reflected more the ideas of Martin Luther (several hundred years in the future) that freedom in Christ does not depend on rituals and icons, but the gospel should be written on your heart.

Reviews of Crispin  
"Set in 14th-century England, this Newbery-winning novel centers on an orphaned outcast who gets pegged for murder. "How the boy learns his true identity and finds his place in the world makes for a rattling fine yarn," wrote PW in a starred review. Ages 8-12. "
Review by Publishers Weekly and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble on September 9, 2010.

"When his mother dies, the thirteen-year-old boy grieves his loss. He is alone in the world, never having known his father. In fact, he doesn't even know if he has a name. He has always been called Asta's son. Events become puzzling when Asta's son learns he has been declared a "wolf's head," which means anyone could kill him, for he is not considered human. It is said that he stole money from the manor house. Asta's son wonders why the steward would make up such a story. The village priest tells him he was baptized "Crispin," gives him his mother's lead cross and tells him he should leave the village for a big city where he could become a free man within the year. Father Quinel promises to tell him what he knows about his parents, but before he can do so, he is murdered. Fearing for his life, Crispin leaves. After several days he meets a large, red-bearded man called Bear. He makes Crispin swear to become his servant, but through the course of the story their friendship develops to the point where Bear thinks of Crispin as his son. Bear is imprisoned as bait to catch Crispin. The young boy, armed with the knowledge of what is written on his mother's lead cross, attempts a brave rescue of his friend. Crispin's identity will not come as a surprise to the sophisticated reader. Avi creates a strong sense of time and place by using the first person narrative. As Crispin learns about the world of fourteenth century England beyond his village, so too does the reader. The harshness of medieval life is presented, with descriptions such as that of the hanging man, but it is done without sensationalism. Avi has described the smells so well, you would think you were there. While it is Crispin'sstory, it is the character of Bear that will entrance the reader."
Review by  Sharon Salluzzo of Children's Literature and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble on September 9, 2010.

"As with Karen Cushman's The Midwife's Apprentice (Clarion, 1995), the power of a name is apparent in this novel set in 14th-century England. "Asta's son" is all the destitute, illiterate hero has ever been called, but after his mother dies, he learns that his given name is Crispin, and that he is in mortal danger. The local priest is murdered before he can tell him more about his background, and Aycliffe, the evil village steward for Lord Furnival, declares that the boy is a "wolf's head," less than human, and that he should be killed on sight. On the run, with nothing to sustain him but his faith in God, Crispin meets "Bear," a roving entertainer who has ties to an underground movement to improve living conditions for the common people. They make their way to Great Wexley, where Bear has clandestine meetings and Crispin hopes to escape from Aycliffe and his soldiers, who stalk him at every turn. Suspense heightens when the boy learns that the recently deceased Lord Furnival was his father and that Aycliffe is dead set on preventing him from claiming his title. To trap his prey, the villain captures Bear, and Crispin risks his life to save him. Avi has done an excellent job of integrating background and historical information, of pacing the plot so that the book is a page-turner from beginning to end, and of creating characters for whom readers will have great empathy. The result is a meticulously crafted story, full of adventure, mystery, and action."
Review by Cheri Estes of Detroit County Day Middle School in Beverly Hills, MI and found in School Library Journal and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble on September 9, 2010.

Suggestions for Use in Library or School
Include in a display for the middle ages.  A study on serfdom and how it was structured would be great for a history unit study.