Sunday, September 21, 2008

Crispin: the Cross of Lead

Author: Avi
Year: 2002
Age Level: Intermediate
Genre: Historical
Series: Crispin

Plot Summary: After his mother's death, 13-year-old Crispin happens to overhear a mysterious nighttime conversation that leads to his being framed for theft. Escaping into the woods, Crispin begins a desperate journey to find safety. Along the way he meets a deep-thinking entertainer and together they work to outrun Crispin's pursuers and discover the secrets of Crispin's past.

Red Flags: Religious discussion and themes

Award/s: Newbery medal winner
My Rating: A
This was the first Avi book I've ever read and I am definitely going to have to pick up the next book soon. The writing is very good and Crispin is such a cute little character. It also has a nice level of historical detail--enough to fully set the stage, but not so much that it reads like an encyclopedia article.

2 comments:

ferskner said...

Whoa, there's more than one of these?

Jules said...

There's a second one called Crispin at the Edge of the World, I think. I'm not sure if there will be more after that or not, but there you have it.