Crispin : The Cross of Lead

Rating:
Summary: Crispin
Review:
The book I will be writing about is called Crispin the Cross of Lead. The author of this book is named Avi. He has written many books before. Some are Nothing but the Truth and Good dog. This book Crispin is a very violent book.
Crispin was originally called "Asta's son." Crispin's father passed away from the Great Plague. His mother died the same way 13 years later. However Crispin's father died before he was born. Later the steward found that money had been stolen from a manor in their village. The people blamed it all on Crispin. The steward declared him as a wolf head that meant anyone could kill him. Crispin ran away from the village. Along the way Crispin ran into a man that could help him. With that Crispin had to become the man's servant.
The characters are somewhat gross and violent. The only good characters are Crispin, Crispin's mother, Bear, and the priest. These characters are very caring and Christian like. Some characters were nice, gross, and rude at the same time. Most of the characters are not in the story for long. They pass away; they get killed, or stay in the book till later. Anyway, when Crispen's father passed away everything went downhill. Crispen and his mother became hungry and poor.
The words in this book are somewhat hard to understand, the vocabulary has challenged me. I had to take many notes so I could look up words and fully understand them. The book challenged me with new vocabulary but it did not interrupt me from understanding the main points. Looking up the words helped me fully understand what was happening. The vocabulary has taught me many new words that I can use in the future.
I would recommend this book because of the storyline. Also because of how challenging it was. When reading this book you have to understand the vocabulary and be mature enough to handle the violence. The book includes many scenes with violence such as death, and emotional parts that may make you want to cry. At first the story starts out boring and slow. The book gradually becomes better around chapter three. The book provides you will experience the joyful ending.






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Summary: Richie's Picks: CRISPIN: THE CROSS OF LEAD
Review: CRISPIN: THE CROSS OF LEAD is a thrilling and endearing tale, unquestionably my favorite book of Avi's from the bunch I've read. (This is, in fact, his fiftieth book.) CRISPIN is set in 1300s England. Not only is the story steeped in the history of feudalistic medieval Britain, but Avi brings that history to life most vividly without ever once hitting you over the head with it.

"Time was the great millstone, which ground us to dust like kerneled wheat. The Holy Church told us where we were in the alterations of the day, the year, and in our daily toil. Birth and death alone gave distinction to our lives, as we made the journey between the darkness from whence we had come to the darkness where we were fated to await Judgment Day."

CRISPIN is the name of the 13-year-old peasant main character; although, the only name he's known for himself is "Asta's Son." That is until his mother dies, and in his blinding grief he stumbles upon a secret meeting in the woods between John Aycliffe--the steward of the manor--and a wealthy stranger. In a flash he finds himself the target of a plot in which he is falsely accused of a theft and declared a "wolf's head," allowing anyone to kill him on sight. On his way "out of town" the village priest tells the boy his real name, tells him to hide out for 24 hours until he can round up some provisions, and promises to reveal some more vital information the next day. Then the priest proceeds to get his throat slit and Crispin is on the run with the theft AND the priest's murder hanging over him. What happens to him is one of those stories that is so well crafted that you can taste and smell the settings, as well as hear the sinister growl in Aycliffe's throat, as you anxiously wait for something to go right for Crispin.

While trying not to reveal any more of the story, I'll also tell you that there is a character in here who I find darn near as lovable as Hagrid.

I hope that Avi is contemplating a sequel to this one--the end came way too soon for me.

Richie Partington
http://richiespicks.com
[e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: A medieval adventure
Review: From the first page, your attention is grasped by the situation Crispin finds himself in after his mother's death. Anyone familiar with Avi's writing will appreciate his clear dialogue and description of the action, which at times moves fast. The Middle Ages come alive for the reader and for those learning about serfs and castles in social studies will have a good reference of what it was like to be a 13-year-old boy on his own in the world. The ending is great, as it does not diminish the journey that Crispin has gone through to achieve his right to be his own man in the end. This book is perfect for the 10-13 year-old boy, when reading this book with the Seventh graders at school I had an immediate wait list for the books. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who would like to get a little taste of the Dark Ages.

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Summary: Another Avi must have!
Review: I began reading books by Avi in junior high with Nothing But the Truth. You just never know what you're going to get when you read a novel by him. Not every book by Avi is the greatest, you must pick and choose. This is one to choose! The introduction leaves you wondering where this is all going, and when it's all done I was left wondering what would happen next. That would be my only complaint, I wanted to know more. The story ended feeling a little unfinished. Overall a great story.

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Summary: Crispin; Cross of Lead
Review: I teach reading to Jr. High students, and they loved this book. The girls loved it, the boys loved it, and I loved it. It is full of great characters and has a wonderful moral. It is very nice to see a story like this one. It does not sacrifice plot in order to speak to a younger audience. I am an adult, and I have read for years and years of my life. I, honestly, enjoyed it as much as my kids did. I probably liked it even more because they were so in love with the story. It makes teaching so much more fun when your students like what they are doing. I recommend it highly to young and old alike. P.S. The story is historically accurate and the setting is prefectly rendered. It is a history lesson as well.

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Summary: This One Blew Me Away! Avi's Best
Review: I've been a fan of Avi's wonderful books for a long time. Some such as The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and The Fighting Ground were big favorites when I was younger, and I still love returning to them from time to time. I was really excited when I learned that Avi had finally won the Newberry medal with Crispin The Cross of Lead, and having read it, I think that this is his best.

The story follows Crispin, a young peasant in the Middle Ages. The death of his mother and some mysterious surrounding circumstances force Crispin to flee his home with some powerful people trying to kill him. He falls in with Bear, a traveling juggler who becomes a father figure, who helps Crispin in his flight to happiness.

Everything is perfect about this novel. Crispin and Bear are well-characterized, and their relationship is truly touching. The plot has a lot of action and is quick paced. Primarily, the book is great for the way it deals with pain. Crispin's faith and perseverance in the face of extreme pain is amazing and is a remarkable message for children (and adults) in these difficult times. I can't say enough for this book. It definitely deserves the Newberry. I hope Avi writes fifty more books this good.

Rating:
Summary: crispin
Review: The beginning started off slow and boring. Then little by little it got better and better. When Crispin finds out Cerdic lead him into the trap is when the book started to get better. Next Crispin starts is wandering away. Then Crispin finds Bear. Bear was scary in the beginning and nice, father like towards the rest of the book. it starts to get boring until Bear teaches Crispin to play the recorder and performs in the first town. The best part is when they enter Great Wexly. Read the book to find out the rest. The book over all has a good concept. p.s.- The boring parts don't last very long.

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Summary: Medieval Life Made Real
Review: The story plot is good, but what I like best about this book is its absolutely captivating description of life in medieval England. Would definitely recommend it if you are looking for an interesting and realistic book to introduce your child(ren) to medieval lifestyles.

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Summary: Lead Indeed
Review: There must have been scant competition for the Newberry Prize the year this unsatisfying youth novel received the honor. Set in medieval England, this tale of an orphan on the run for his life may offer the occasional thrill, but I could see every plot twist coming a mile off. In fact, the climax's "surprising" revelation regarding the title character's identity will be guessed by all but the very slowest child before reaching page 20. Even the title is terrible. Crispin would have been ok, if dull and unrevealing. "The Cross of Lead" would have been better, since the cross is the key to the plot. But "Crispin: The Cross of Lead"? A title like that should stand as a warning. After all, there's nothing like a book narrated by a medieval character who can neither read nor write, but manages to scratch out a story in perfect, if simple, 21st century prose.

Avi has written very good books for this age-group in the past, as well as several that match this one missed-note for missed-note. I suggest you try one of his other titles- perhaps "Beyond the Western Sea." This is very sloppy storytelling from a writer capable of much better.