Crispin: The Cross of Lead
 |
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Avi |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Childres, Historical novel |
| Publisher | Hyperion Books |
Publication date | June 2002 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 262 pp (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-7868-0828-4 (first edition, hardback) Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
| Preceded by | none |
| Followed by | Crispin: At the Edge of the World |
Crispin: The Cross of Lead is a 2002 children's novel written by Avi. It was the winner of the 2003 Newbery Medal.
Plot summary
Crispin is a book about a young boy who begins his life without a name. His mother is dead and he has no clue who his father is. To make it worse, he is declared a wolf's head for a crime he did not commit. The boy, known as Asta's Son, hides in the forest and one day hears a conversation between John Aycliffe, the village executioner, and another person. Suddenly, Aycliffe sees Asta's son and tries to kill him. Asta's Son heads to the priest, the only person he can trust. The priest tells Asta's son his real name: Crispin. The priest also tells Crispin to run away. Crispin wanders the roads and comes upon an abandoned town. Crispin then stumbles upon a juggler named Orson "Bear" Hrothgar. Bear makes Crispin his servant. At first thought, Crispin thinks that Bear is a demon and is partially mad. This was because Bear made Crispin think for himself, and even paid him. Bear also thought Crispin his thoughts about God, how to pray, very dangerous for them. Slowly and gradually Bear seems to Crispin like his own father. Bear teaches Crispin the aspects of life and how to make a joke out of everything, what Crispin never learned in his village. Together they travel to various towns putting on performances to survive. They eventually find their way to the city of Great Wexley where John Aycliffe and his men are pursuing Crispin. The sequel is called Crispin: At The Edge of the World.
External links
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