Crispin : The Cross of Lead

avi

Asta's son has no name. And, after the death of his mother, no family to protect him when he is accused of a crime he didn't commit. Declared a 'wolf's head' - meaning that anyone who catches him can kill him - he has no choice but to leave his village. All he can take with him on the journey is his newly revealed name - Crispin - and his mother's cross of lead. Travelling without purpose, through a countryside still ravaged by the effects of the plague, Crispin stumbles upon a juggler, a giant of a man known as Bear. Crispin becomes Bear's servant but the juggler is a strange master offering both protection and encouraging Crispin to think for himself. But Crispin is not safe and it becomes clear he is being relentlessly pursued. Why are his enemies so determined to kill him? Will the lessons Bear has taught him be enough to safeguard all that he now holds so dear...? Avi brings the full force of his storytelling powers to the world of medieval England.

Genres historical fictionyoung adultfictionmiddle gradehistoricalchildrensadventureschoolmedievalfantasy

272 pages, Paperback

First published June 3,2002

Series

Crispin

Literary awards

newbery medal, vermont golden dome book award, colorado book award,

Places

england,

This edition

Format: 272 pages, Paperback
Published: January 1, 2004 by Pocket Childrens Books
ISBN: 9780689837777
ASIN: 0689837771
Language: English

Characters More characters

About the author

avi

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.