Newbery Books discussion

Wow, am I the first to post this month? I think Crispin is a pretty good Newbery award winner. It's the second time I've read it. It's a fast paced adventure. I liked the way Crispin learns about himself and (with Bear's help) gains a sense of self and of self-worth through his choices. Avi had to invent an unusual story to provide those choices, though. Crispin probably would have died. Most people in the 14th century didn't have choices. I shuddered at how they were bound to miserable lives through poverty and ignorance and how the few in power twisted "God's will" to justify that. I'm very grateful to live today with so many freedoms and opportunities.

I just found and read a sequel, Crispin: at the edge of the world. I didn't like it as well. Less focused and sadder. But supposedly it is the second in a planned trilogy, so hopefully the final book will resolve things. This second book was published in 2006, but I can't find record of a third book. It seems that either Avi has lost interest, or he just hasn't gotten around to finishing the trilogy yet. He is so prolific and diverse as an author. Does anyone know of a third book?

I was ready to post on Sunday but wasn't sure whether I should start it (if I could figure out how) or simply wait for the moderator to start. I enjoyed the book. Crispin lived in a tough world and kept bringing more trouble upon himself by not obeying good adults, especially Bear. I worried that a 10 year old might be confused by Crispin's illegitamacy, but maybe today's children are confronted by so many different kinds of families that it wouldn't seem strange at all. Do you think it added to the story that his mother didn't teach him to read and write?

I am a bit behind on this month . . . we'll see when I get around to catching up, but I'll post here when I do.

I really liked this book. I found the human greed, very interesting along with the mystery of his origins. Well written.

Sigh. Poor Crispin. This is not one of Avi's better books, and I'm sorry that it won the Medal. I think both of Avi's Honor books were more deserving of the Medal than this story. I've also read three of the honor winners from this year, and feel that any of those three were more deserving to win than this story.
It wasn't a bad story by any means, but I didn't love it either. I felt that the story was a little unrealistic, and the dramatic climax and unveiling toward the end was lacking, a lot. There was no natural drama to the situation. I know I'm no Medeval scholar, but from my understanding of the time period, there wasn't anything overly special or unique about Crispin's 'situation'. Certainly not to the level they portayed it. Everything I've read or heard about the Middle Ages makes me think it is almost expected of the masters and lords to have a few illegitimate kids running around.
Overall, I was not very impressed with this book, and after reading the honors from 2003, I'm rather disappointed.