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 Crispin: The Cross of Lead
Avi
© 2002 Hyperion Books for Children
Accused of a crime he didn’t commit timid 13-year-old Crispin is forced to leave his 14th century village after the death of his outcast mother. He reluctantly agrees to be a servant to a traveling juggler named Bear. As they cross England, Crispin and Bear discover his true identity with the help of his sole possession: his mother’s lead cross.
Crispin: The Cross of Lead was read by Thom Rivera
Thom is an accomplished actor who has performed extensively in regional theater and Off Broadway. He is an alumnus of The Acting Company, America’s premiere touring repertory theater, having performed in the world premiere of Pudd’nhead. He holds a BA from Cal State Northridge and an MFA from University of California, Irvine.
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What do YOU think?
Crispin was branded a “wolf’s head”? What does that mean? Why was he branded a “wolf’s head”?
Why was Crispin so surprised to learn his name?
How does Crispin change over the course of the book?
Bear’s belief that each individual is unique and important shocks Crispin. Compare Crispin’s belief of an individual’s role in society to Bear’s philosophy.
Did you like Crispin at the beginning of the book? Why? Did your feelings toward him change as you read the book?
What was your favorite part?
Fun & Adventure Beyond the Book
Would you have liked being a peasant? You probably would have been cold, hungry and filthy… at least by our standards today! According to this site, peasants only bathed twice in their lives – once when they were born and again when they died. Ugh ! Discover more about peasant life and the feudal system.
Crispin: The Cross of Lead is set in medieval England during the time of the peasants' revolt of 1381. Learn more about why the peasants revolted and about John Ball, the priest from Kent that supported them.
Ever played “Historical Hangman?” What about “Walk the Plank?” Both are interactive games that test your historical knowledge. Check out the quizzes concerning the plague, castles and “medieval realms.” Homework may never be the same….
Crispin: The Cross of Lead is Avi’s 50th book! When he’s not writing, Avi pursues his other interest: photography. Learn more about Avi and his other 49 books by checking out his website.
Want to learn how to juggle? Since you can’t hang out with Bear like Crispin did, you’ll just have to go virtual. Get animated juggling instructions from juggler Paul Isaak, and check out the Internet Juggling Database for more instructions. They say if you can ride a bike, then you can juggle. Let us know how you do!
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Grace Greene, from the Vermont Department of Libraries, thinks you’ll also enjoy:
Branford, Henrietta. Fire, Bed & Bone. Candlewick, 1998.
In 1381 in England, a hunting dog recounts what happens to his beloved master Rufus and his family when they are arrested on suspicion of being part of the peasants' rebellion led by Wat Tyler and the preacher John Ball.
Cushman, Karen. Matilda Bone. Clarion, 2000.
Fourteen-year-old Matilda, an apprentice bonesetter and practitioner of medicine in a village in medieval England, tries to reconcile the various aspects of her life, both spiritual and practical.
Graham, Harriet. A Boy and His Bear. McElderry, 1996.
Dickon rescues his bear cub friend from certain death at the hands of bear catchers in Medieval England. Told in part from the point of view of the cub.
Morressy, Dean. The Juggler. Holt, 1996.
Beran makes a pact with the devil to become the greatest juggler in the world.
Williams, Laura E. The Executioner’s Daughter. Holt, 2000.
Thirteen-year-old Lily, daughter of the town's executioner living in fifteenth-century Europe, decides whether to fight against her destiny or to rise above her fate.
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