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Crispin
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Crispin: Book 1

Crispin (2002) (edit title/settings)

The Cross of Lead

by Avi (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

Genre: Modern Fantasy
The 2003 Newbery Award Winner and New York Times Best-seller. "Avi's latest novel is superb combination of mystery, historical fiction, and a coming-of-age tale... Breathlessly paced, beautifully written, and filled with details of life in the Middle Ages, this... read more

Summary edit see section history

Crispin is about a boy who is known as Asta's son but then his mother dies. In his fury and grief he ends up running into the village forest. While in the forest he sees the steward of the Furnival manor, John Aycliffe, who tries to kill him. Asta's son is hiding in the forest when he... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Crispin is about a boy who is known as Asta's son but then his mother dies. In his fury and grief he ends up running into the village forest. While in the forest he sees the steward of the Furnival manor, John Aycliffe, who tries to kill him. Asta's son is hiding in the forest when he learns he has been labeled as a wolf's head (anybody can kill him). Not sure what to do he talks to his mother's only friend, the priest, Father Quinel for help. The priest tells him to go a city to get his freedom by staying there a year and a day. On his way to a big city he spots Father Quinel's body. However one day before he died he told Asta's son that his name is Crispin and told him that he would tell him about his father the next day. On his way again he experiences many close encounters with the steward and his men. In the next village over, the village was destroyed from the Great Sickness. While there he meets Bear and Bear becomes Crispin's new master. Bear is on his way to Great Wexly, a huge city. He teaches Crispin how to play music and travel to the next village over. While nearing the village, Crispin and Bear see the steward and his men. They go to the back entrance and raise money by playing music, singing, dancing, and juggling. While juggling, Bear angers a one eyed man. The two then start traveling to Great Wexly. On the way Bear asks Crispin to be his apprentice not his servent. When they get to Great Wexly they see many soldiers and go to the Green Man Tavern. While there they have a room with a secret hiding spot. Bear tells Crispin to stay where he is. Crispin decides to wander and runs into a soldier. While running away he runs into Bear. Inside again, Bear has to leave. Crispin then sees the one eyed man with the steward and his men and decides to go warn Bear. Crispin climbs the wall and warns the people in the meeting as the door is kicked in. Bear helps everyone over the wall and ends up getting caught himself. Crispin goes back to the tavern and hides in the hiding spot when soldiers come in to find him. At night, Crispin goes to get Bear out of the Furnivals house and he learns that he is Lord Furnivals son and that is why the steward wants to kill him. Crispin gets inside but then gets caught by the steward. Crispin makes a deal with the seward and gets Bear out of the house. On there way to the gates of the town, the steward attacks them and ends up being killed by Bear. Bear and Crispin leave the city of Great Wexly.

Characters edit see section history

  • Crispin: He is the main character. An illiterate, poor, teenage boy in the 14th century who has been accused of theft, so Crispin must run away to avoid being murdered.
  • John Aycliffe: The Steward of Stromford Village. The man who claims Crispin of stealing money and hunts him throughout the story.
  • John Ball: A spy who is working with Bear.
  • Bear: A traveling performer and spy who found Crispin in an abandened village, praying in a church. Bear taught Crispin how to juggle and play music, which allowed them to make money and survive.
  • Asta: Asta is Crispin's mother, she is the most wonderful person in the world to him.
  • Cerdic: A boy about Crispin's age that led him to the people who tried to kill him.
  • Father Quinel: The priest of Stromford Village, he is Asta and Crispin's only friend.
  • St. Giles: A painting on the Stormford village church that Crispin prays to.
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Setting & Locations edit see section history

  • Stromford: Were Crispin lives for 13 years of his life. But when he flees he fears to go back.
  • Great Wexly: Where Crispin flees to.
  • England: Where Crispin flees to.

First Sentence edit see section history

The day after my mother died, the priest and I wrapped her body in a gray shroud and carried her to the village church.

Table of Contents edit see section history

58 chapters

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 1 of 3 in Crispin. (standard series)

Followed by Crispin.

This is book 978 of 986 in 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up. (authoritative list)
This book is in Newbery Medal. (authoritative list)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Avi (Author)

Other Contributors:

  1. Ron Keith (Narrator)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Hyperion
Country: USA
Publication Date: 2002
ISBN: 0786808284
Page Count: 262

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Grades: 4-8

More Books Like This edit see section history

   
  • Maniac Magee
  • King of the Middle March
  • The Seeing Stone
  • At the Crossing Places
  • The Anglo-Saxon World
  • Crispin
  • Crispin

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