Crispin: The Cross of Lead
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 First edition cover |
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| Author | Avi |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Childres, Historical novel |
| Publisher | Hyperion Books |
| Released | June 2002 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 262 pp (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-7868-0828-4 (first edition, hardback) |
Crispin: The Cross of Lead is a 2002 children's novel written by Avi. It was the winner of the 2003 Newbery Medal.
[edit] Plot summary
In Stromford, England in the 1300s, Asta, a poor villager dies at an early age. After her funeral Crispin, her son, learns his true name from the town priest and inherits the cross of lead his mother bore. The priest tells him that his mother was more than she seemed; that there was something important about his father, too, but the priest is killed before he could reveal it.
Crispin is accused of a crime he didn’t commit and quickly flees his village, pursued by the greedy steward, John Aycliffe. He runs into a juggler who is simply known as "Bear", and together, the two of them make their way to Great Wexly. Along the way, they entertain villagers for bread and coins. As they travel, Crispin and Bear develop a relationship, and Bear becomes a father figure to Crispin. He teaches him how to play the recorder, how to hunt and survive, and most of all, he instills ideas of freedom in Crispin.
When the two get to Great Wexly, Crispin is revealed to be the illegitimate son of Lord Furnival, the owner of vast amounts of land. His wife is related to John Aycliffe. Lady Furnival wanted to inherit the lands and money of Lord Furnival and therefore had John Aycliffe make up Crispin's crimes to get rid of him. However, in a final match with Bear, he is killed on his own soldiers' swords and dies. In the end, Crispin gives up his claim as Lord Furnival's son in order to save Bear's life. With Crispin glad to finally have an identity, and Bear happy to have a "son", they both travel away from Great Wexly, prepared for a new life. Read the sequel crispin and the edge of the world to find out more.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by A Single Shard |
Newbery Medal recipient 2003 |
Succeeded by The Tale of Despereaux |
