Crispin: The Cross of Lead

Crispin #1

by Avi

The Barnes & Noble Review
Winner of the 2003 Newbery Medal, Avi's action-packed adventure, Crispin, transports us back to 14th-century England, where a young serf on the run from his miserable past comes to discover not only his true identity but a sense of self-worth.

Infusing his tale with a deep sense of medieval time and place, Avi recounts the harrowing story of a "nameless boy" known only as "Asta's son." When his mother dies and the village steward unjustly accuses him of murder, the boy flees for his life, carrying with him his mother's lead cross and the newly revealed knowledge of his real Crispin. On the run, he becomes the servant and then the friend of a hulking juggler named Bear. En route to a clandestine meeting with social reformer John Ball (a real historical figure in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381), Bear is captured and imprisoned. Crispin sets out to rescue his master and discovers along the way the life-changing secret engraved on his mother's lead cross.

Crispin is one of Avi's most engaging characters, and this story one of his most moving adventures. Emerging from intense poverty of life and spirit, this young serf evolves into a complex and brave hero, as he learns that knowledge is the power that leads to true freedom. Readers will be swept away by the rich prose and historical details; Crispin is a life-affirming book that picks you up -- and doesn't let you down. Matt Warner

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, Historical, Childrens, Adventure

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 3, 2002

About the author

Avi is a pen name for Edward Irving Wortis, but he says, "The fact is, Avi is the only name I use." Born in 1937, Avi has created many fictional favorites such as The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Nothing but the Truth, and the Crispin series. His work is popular among readers young and old.

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 2 out of 5]

AVI2.0 Review: With warnings, gender changes, and a post script!

I just dawned on me that the stupid plot revealing subtitle is there because Avi means for this book to be the start of a series, and a quick check shows that there is a sequel.

Avi has a unique skill at flattening characters. Everyone pretty much sounds the same as every other character. ShHe also has a knack of making herhis characters unlikable. Not in the I hate them sort of way, but in the why do I give a (If you are under the age of 17 please look away for one word) fuck what happens to them way.
If I had read this book as a child it would have bored me to death. I would have hated this book. As an adult I could read it in a couple of hours and pass over the dryness with the greatest of ease. There is nothing exciting really in this book. The action is telegraphed so poorly before it happens that there really aren't any surprises.
I'm starting to think now that Avi meant for Crispin to be her his Harry Potter. Orphan kid, mysterious past, befriended by some big oaf of a man, those kind of silly subtleties. I don't have too many (any?) facts to base this on (just like I had no facts to base the idea that Avi was a woman on, but that doesn't stop me from saying things), but there is the feeling that this is Harry Potter with all of the fun vacuum sucked out of it.

Why Avi is critically acclaimed is beyond me. This is the second of her his countless books I have read, and each of them has been blah. The first one I could see appealing to kids, but it was too moronic for me to stomach; and this one I don't see who the audience is, except maybe Middle School teachers always on the lookout for new instruments to torture their students with. The wealth of little historical day to day facts in the book will be fodder for many a (If you are under the age of 17 please look away for one word) crappy teacher to bore the (If you are under the age of 17 please look away for one word) shit out of students for a long time to come.

Post Script, for Children.

I, the author of the review you just read, am sorry if I have been the first to scar your young minds with foul language. It is wrong to curse, and it shows your ignorance, that is until you are older and then it shows your immaturity, but maybe not your ignorance. This is a distinction you will need to face yourselves when you get older. But if you have read this review, let me offer you some words of encouragement that I wish had been offered to me: if your teacher loves this book and you do not love it, don't think there is anything wrong with you. Also do not think that it means you are just not the type to like books, or that there are no books out there for you. This is not a good book. Your teacher by liking this book, is possibly the type of person who deep down knows very little about books. Also there is possibly some unspeakable trauma in his or her past has driven him or her to be a teacher and is attempting to take all the goodness out of books and turn them into something that they feel deserve to be hated and despised. Sadly, teachers are good at ruining things, doubly sadly (don't ever use that phrase yourself, it will make you look stupid, be smarter than me) there are very few good teachers out there. I hope that if you are reading this you have one of the awesome teachers. If you don't have one of them, realize that your teacher is a very disturbed individual, and something happened that either killed his or her desire to live and/or make everyone else in the world see the world as joylessly as they do. Try not to hate them, but feel pity for them. They need love. Don't try to hug them though, that could end badly. Just feel pity and offer them love at a distance.

[karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

i didn't hate it as much as greg did, but i know what he means about it being a little flat. i probably would have enjoyed this as maybe an 8 year old. is that too old - i don't remember what i was doing at 8, except i had unfortunate teeth. i'm not going to run right out and get the sequel to this or anything, but it's a perfectly serviceable medieval tale of secret origins and poverty and swords.

come to my blog!

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sixth grade son made me read "Crispin: The Cross of Lead". He's a really advanced reader, but it's hard to get him involved in books. He'd rather play World of Warcraft or play his guitar. He couldn't put this book down and insisted that I read it.

I was surprised at the content of the book. Crispin is the bastard son of an outcast peasant woman who never shows him any affection. He doesn't even know his name until after his mother dies. The revelation of his name leads to the murder of the village priest before he learns who his father is. Fortunately, the priest gives Crispin his mother's lead cross before he is murdered.

From that point, Crispin is on the run. The lord of the manor frames him for a crime and puts a price on his head. He encounters a man who takes him under his wing and teaches him about life and the world.

I thought this was an excellent book. It won the Newbury award. I would caution more protective parents that this book does have a lot of violence and may expose children to ideas you may not want them exposed to like adultery and atheism. I'm glad my son read it, but I did have to do some explaining.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

Update:
To the Crispin fans coming out of the woodwork: I wrote this review many moons ago for my 4 friends who use Goodreads. I don’t think Goodreads allows me to set my reviews to private, unfortunately. So glad you found a book you love, nothing better than that. I’m sure there are many books we mutually enjoy. Stay classy, folks!

Original review:
This book won a Newberry Medal, which sounds about right, seeing as it’s an absolute dud. It will be the perfect companion for Island of the Blue Dolphins... This is the kind of book that my elementary teachers would’ve loved because it’s historical and contains enough teachable moments to give them some easy essay prompts. It’s also the kind of book that makes students think they hate reading and vow to never pick up a book again because MY GOSH, this is so boring!!

For example, let’s look at what could have been an exciting scene: Crispin sneaks into the castle to rescue his friend/master/father figure/creepy mentor, Bear. Now, imagine for a second how you’d expect a scene like this to be written. Perhaps our valiant hero Crispin (lol) would be lurking through the shadows, his hand against a wall, trying to find his way through the dark to the dungeon. Perhaps he would hear footsteps coming down the corridor and have to quickly duck for cover, his heart thudding in his ears. Perhaps he would drop something and there would be a huge racket, and he’d freeze and hold his breath until he knew that no one had heard. Perhaps his fingers would be trembling as he fumbled through picking a lock. OR, PERHAPS, wouldn’t it be better if Crispin instead took this time to lallygag and discuss the exact architecture of the castle?? YES, Avi says, YES YES YES!!

So, as Crispin walks down the hallway on his meandering, lackadaisical Sunday stroll, er, I mean, search for Bear, he opens a door, and what he sees makes him GASP. End of chapter. Wow, what did he see?? We must keep reading! What a cliff hanger! What could cause our strong and steady and emotional rock Crispin (lol) to gasp?? Maybe there is a guard waiting in the room? Maybe he’s walked in on a torture chamber? Maybe he sees Bear, all bruised and bloodied? LOL, you goof balls! No way! Crispin could care less about that useless crap. He ain’t about dem cheap thrills. He GASPS because he’s just entered a chapel and he’s never seen a ceiling so high! I mean, can you blame him?? It’s even higher than some other random chapel ceiling that Crispin knows and is a super relevant and helpful reference for us 21st century readers! Omg, so glad I kept reading! But more than that, I’m overjoyed that he spends an ENTIRE CHAPTER making observations about the chapel room because we JUST CANNOT GET ENOUGH! And I’m so glad he doesn’t waste time making his sentences flow nicely. As the saying goes, Crispin ain’t hoppy if the sentence ain’t choppy. It reads like (not an exact quote), “There were four tall pillars. Behind these, there was a stained glass window. In front of that were candles that were burned about a fourth of the way down. Then to the right...” And the Newbery Medal judges in the background declare, “Folks, we have a winner!!”

Now, when you read this book, there may be some confusion as to Crispin’s religion. Is he Muslim? Or was it Buddhist? Oh, wait no, I remember, he was Catholic, because references were made to his Catholicism like fifty billion times per chapter. Now, I’m not against religion in literature by any means, but you could literally make a drinking game for every time Crispin “fell to my knees!” Or for every time Bear says, “By the blood of Christ, by the holy heart of St Peter, by the kidney stones of St Jude, by the acne cream of the angels in heaven!” Guaranteed to be blackout drunk by the end of the book.

On top of all of this, the writing just isn’t good. The sentences are choppy, the characters are dull (and Crispin is so whiny!), the plot is predictable, the story was lifeless, and the deus ex machina appears to be Avi’s favorite plot device. Also, the vocab in this bad boy is ridiculous, as though Avi were just trying his darnedest to be beloved by teachers across America, who would no doubt hand out vocab worksheets to their poor little blameless students with each chapter. I’m 25, and not necessarily a total ignoramus, and some of the words Crispin-the-illiterate-uneducated-serf was dropping like hot potatoes were unbeknownst to me. (Avi would probably approve of the word “unbeknownst.”)

This is the first Avi book I’ve read, and by the spray tan of St Anne, I do hope it’s the last.

[Karina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't make sense of your . . . innocence. In a ruthless world I find innocence more a puzzle than evil. (PG 121)

Newbery Award Winner-YA- 2002

Another John Newbery winner set in fourteenth-century England. I think I found whatever the crack induced judges prefer.....

Asta's son has just lost his mother to the ether world at thirteen-years old. In his grief he runs into the forest and accidentally listens to a private conversation and gets caught. Now Asta's son's life is in danger as he has a 'wolf's head' out on him, meaning he is an outlaw and must be caught and put to death with a 20 coin incentive for whoever finds this thief and murderer. On the run, he meets a juggler called Bear. He quickly helps the boy learn a trade and have courage.

It was okay. Medieval England is a cool historical read. The authors always include the smells and rodents in the streets with feces strewn everywhere. The characters were a little flat and boring, although, I liked Bear best. The story itself was a little slow in some spots. I wouldn't continue the series based solely on this.

Author tidbit: He is a first cousin to actor Alan Wolfe Arkin.

[Maggie Maxfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know this is an award-winning book. Avi's historical fiction is exceptional -- even the metaphor and imagery in the book employ phrases consistent with the times. I feel when I read his historical fiction like I can connect all the historical dots. However, I got the feeling that some of Crispin's actions were not consistent with his character, and that Avi had him do them just to advance the plot. And that annoys me. For example, Crispin is painted as an ignorant kid who learns about his place in English society as he joins up with a large, red-bearded jester named Bear. At first he is afraid of this man, but gradually comes to trust and appreciate him. When they get to the big city of Great Wexly, Bear orders him to stay in their room to be safe while he does business elsewhere. Everything I have learned about Crispin makes me believe he would follow Bear's orders. However, Crispin gets bored and leaves, and crises inevitably ensue. Avi should have either given Crispin a better reason to leave the room, or else he should have given me more warning that Crispin has a curious side that would maybe get him into trouble. Those jarring moments happened frequently enough that I got annoyed and couldn't give this book more than 3 stars.

[Ensiform · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winner of the 2003 Newbery, this historical novel is set in England, 1377. Crispin, an orphan peasant, is told by his village priest that there is a secret regarding his birth. But after stumbling upon the cruel village steward making a secret plan in the woods, Crispin is declared a “wolf’s head” – a non-person whom anyone may kill for a reward – and he is forced to flee. He comes upon Bear, a jester who secretly works to bring a worker’s revolution to England, and together they travel to the “big city” of Wexly, where to Crispin’s horror the steward has followed them, and both their lives are in danger.

This is an interesting choice for the Newbery – Avi strives hard to recreate the historical milieu in which Crispin lives, so first and foremost, the prose is absolutely drenched in medieval Christian thought. Although Bear is an apostate, Crispin and many other characters are literally “God-fearing,” expecting swift and horrible punishments for their every transgression and believing utterly that a broken vow to Jesus (no matter how profane or involuntary) will result in immediate damnation. Then, just so everyone has something to be offended about, Avi has Crispin, if not explicitly reject this mindset, at least question it; he stops praying and pledges to make his own decisions, and later uses the binding power of an unwilling vow as a tool for his own ends. Finally, there’s the vocabulary: in addition to words like “trepidation” and “disconsolate,” Avi doesn’t shy away from the archaic terms: mazer, patten, kirtle, withal. It’s a terrific historical adventure story, I would think suitable for older teens and up; its value is not so much in the plot (which is fairly straightforward, hardly original, and rather far-fetched at the end) as it is in recreating the highly religious, hierarchical, nasty, sometimes brutish and short lives of the medieval European.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Set in the 14th Century. Historical fiction at it's best. Great bits of wisdom. "Music is the tongue of souls" "The only difference between a dead fool and a live one is the dead one has a deeper grave". He is a great author and I am looking forward to reading more of his work. Our children could learn many lessons from this book as can we. I started this book yesterday afternoon while I was waiting at the DMV and finished it this morning. Could not put it down, and I will think about it for days.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is another Newbery Medal winner I have read. Crispin: The Cross of Lead took the prize in 2003.

For me it was a timely read since I am currently reading The Reformation by Will Durant. Crispin is living in England during the early years of rebellion against both a corrupt, divided Catholic Church and the feudal power of wealthy nobles.

Crispin is a 13 year old in 1377. He and his mother are poor in a way that almost no one is anymore. When the story opens, he does not even have a name but is just called Asta's son. His mother, Asta, will not say anything about his father or why they are outcasts in their small village. When she is killed, he knows he is in deep danger and takes to the road.

By the end of the story, which moves at a breath stopping pace, he has learned who he is, what he is, and gone from thinking he was nothing to knowing his name, his mother's history and his place in the world as a member of the Guild of Free Men.

The author captures so well the hold of religion at the time as well as the tension, the brutality and the passions that inhabit people's souls. Having read Will Durant's The Age of Faith, The Renaissance and the beginning chapters of The Reformation, I can tell that Avi's research for this book is sound.

Crispin, The Cross of Lead is the first of a trilogy and I will be reading the next two books!

[Elliott A · Rating 3 out of 5]

**6.5/10**

[Jill Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review by Jill Williamson

Asta’s son has never had a name. But now that his mother has died, a priest tells him his name is Crispin. Accused of a crime he didn’t commit, Crispin flees his village home. On his journey he meets a juggler named Bear, who teaches him the ways of entertaining, self defense, and snaring rabbits. At first Crispin is afraid of Bear, but the man takes care of him and teaches him to think for himself.

Crispin’s enemies continue to pursue him. Crispin wonders why they are so intent on seeing him killed? He is no one. He and Bear reach the city of Great Wexly where Crispin stumbles onto a dark secret that leaves him no choice but to fight for his and Bear’s life.

Crispin: the Cross of Lead is a story about a poor orphan in medieval England. Avi creates a fascinating world for the reader that shocks and fascinates as much as the plot. It’s no surprise why this book earned the Newberry. I highly recommend it for everyone.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's quite a bit painful waiting for Crispin's slow little brain to catch up with things that are so obvious so early in the story and to watch him immediately do the opposite of whatever advice or command he is given by the other characters

My biggest joy was waiting for the character Orson "Bear" Hrothgar to appear in a sentence with the word pause so I could shout, "Bear paws!" I can be a little dumb too.

[bek · Rating 1 out of 5]

To all the other people who had to read this book in middle school and analyze it for symbolism: I am so sorry for the trauma you have endured.
Crispin is a young and naive main character which isn't in itself a bad thing. In fact, I've read books where this type of character was pulled off miraculously well, but The Cross of Lead is a perfect example of an annoying main character no one is rooting for. Any plot that actually exists is immediately dulled by Crispin's narration and otherwise nonexistent personality. There was essentially no interesting part of this book simply because Crispin would spend paragraphs if not pages just describing the environment. Which apparently is great for middle school language arts teachers because it's a moment for ~symbolism~ *cue long sigh from students everywhere*.
What exactly is the focus of this book? I'm not sure but I think it might be Catholicism considering it's all you ever read about. It's an overall very painful read and I imagine it ruined reading for a lot of young students. I'm lucky I started reading books at a young age and knew that reading is more than what you read in class because teachers have a knack for picking the most boring books.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS

[Sydney Smile · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so exciting!!
I was pretty excited to read this for school because I heard it was good and the last two school books were pretty boring. But this one was super cool. I loved Crispin and Bear. The setting and scene descriptions were very vivid and I didn't have trouble picturing what was going on. Sometimes in books I find myself having a hard time picturing fight scenes (or other action-packed scenes). With this book it was easy picturing each scene in my mind and the story was interesting too. Character development definitely happened and I loved it. I wanna read the next two!❤

[Johnny G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been in my classroom for a decade and a half, never read. I wondered why, and gave it a shot, not expecting much. Well, it is a terrific tale! Adventure, intrigue, action, suspense, vivid characters - I really got in to it. One of the best books I have eve read, The Pillars of the Earth, takes place during the same time period in medieval England, and there is something about that time period and setting that connects with Crispin. Although this is a tough read (level W), I would encourage young readers to pick it up in grades 5-8!

[✧ hayley (the sugar bowl) ✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

➳ 4 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

i read this book a few years ago. i don’t remember it entirely in detail, but i do remember quite enjoying it.

i appreciated the christian aspects and the diversity of the characters! i read this book for school, and came out enjoying it so I call that a win.

also crispin talking about his mother was so stinking cute 🤭🎀


୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆

[Nastaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

صلیب صربی رو همین چند سال پیش خوندم... فکر میکنم چهار سال پیش... در مقایسه با کتاب های فانتزی ای که اون موقع میخوندم... قصه ساده تری داشت... در نتیجه اون موقع برام اونقدری جاذبه نداشت... فقط همینقدر بود که یه شب تا صبح نخوابیدم که تموم بشه...
قصه خوبی داشت... درگیر کننده بود و وادارت میکرد تا ته کتاب رو بری...
قصه با هیچ کدوم از تصورات اولیه من همخوانی نداشت... و یادمه هیچ کدوم از حدس هام درست نبودن... حتی یادمه یه جاهایی از روند قصه حیرت میکردم...
تا همین الان نمیدونستم ادامه ای هم داره... جلدهای بعدی میرن تو لیست کتاب هایی که بادی بخونم...

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my good friends recommended this series to me and I was in the mood for a change of pace in what I was reading so I gave it a try. I thought this was well done middle grade historical fiction. I've read several other books by Avi and enjoy his writing. I felt like I learned a few things and was entertained along the way.

Overall a good book I would recommend to those who enjoy Historical Fiction.

Content: Clean

[adeana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this for school and as an overall book lover and generous book critic I rarely ever find I book I dislike. However, reading Crispin and the Cross of Lead was nearly impossible due to the fact that it was impeccably boring and just overall not entertaining. Even though I tried to like it, I jut couldn't. Much too slow and bland for me, no thanks...

[Arthur Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know it’s a series but can the first book give me a bit more of a resolution?

[Barb Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not easy capturing feudal times through character and language. Avi does a great job but this isn’t for everyone.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

“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.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

At 13, Crispin's mother, the only person who's ever loved him dies. It's the 1300's and for the son of a peasant, Crispin has had a hard life. Then, he overhears a conversation in the forest and soon he's being hunted. With a price on his head, Crispin is forced to flee the only home that he has ever known. While the world can be a scary place, Crispin learns just how much he doesn't know and that there is just as much good as bad.

I read this as part of the Newberry challenge and thought it was a great book. It talks a lot about the world of England in the 1300's without being too much of a textbook description. Crispin is quickly befriended by a character known as Bear who is loud, corpulent, and a father figure. He takes Crispin under his wing and begins to teach him.

Avi did an excellent job with this book!

[Alyson Stone · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't even finish this book. I tried to read this once before and decided to give it another try, but I just couldn't do it. I hate leaving 1 star ratings, but this book just was not for me. I rad about half of it and nothing happened. Nothing at all! I didn't get the point of this book. How it won a Newbery is beyond me. I usually like Avi, but this one receives a huge thumbs down.

[Laura The Book Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting story set in the Middle Ages. It is geared towards middle schoolers, but anyone who loves history would enjoy it. Reading it helps you understand the time period.

I love how Crispin learns to be confident and think for himself as the story progresses. I love that he found someone to care for him as a father.

[Hannah Noëlle Redwine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this book for school, do I assumed it was another run of the mill novel. I WAS DEAD WRONG. This is probably the best written medieval book I've ever read, and I don't like medieval books! Would definitely recommend it!

[Mohammed omran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great example of historical fiction. However, this fact makes the story a bit more obscure for children. Set in the 1600's where the general population was almost considered the property of the landowner and at their mercy. If the Lord of the Manor is an unkind or even brutal man this made life very difficult and sometimes down right dangerous.This story is one that should be discussed with an adult after reading to understand the historical significance.Not really suitable for young children. I'd say 5th grade or higher.I did like the character of Crispen as narrator, it added some honesty and innocence to an otherwise some-what brutal world.

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this sense of being dropped into medieval England. The story is worthy as well and I am really looking forward to the continuing adventures of Crispin and Bear. A couple of fine quotes:

"When I think on the perfection of our Savior, I choose to think most upon HIs most perfect laughter. It must have been the kind that makes us laugh too. For mirth is the coin that brings a welcome. Lose your sorrows, and you'll find your freedom."

"A wise man - he was a jester by trade - once told me that living by answers is a form of death. It's only questions that keep you living."

[Kathryn Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in 8th grade and it was good to reread it. I liked the setting and the character of Crispin and how his whole world view changes as he learns about where he comes from and what he wants for his future. The ending was very exciting!

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would have liked this a lot as a middle-grade reader. It was still all right - I liked the time setting and the characters.