“Asta’s son” is all he’s ever been called. The lack of name is appropriate, because he and his mother are but poor peasants in fourteenth-century medieval England. But this thirteen-year-old boy who thought he had little to lose soon finds himself with even less—no home, family, or possessions.

Accused of a crime he did not commit, he has been declared a “wolf’s head.” That means he may be killed on sight, by anyone. If he wishes to remain alive, he must flee his tiny village. All the boy takes with him is a newly revealed name—Crispin—and his mother’s cross of lead.

His journey through the English countryside is amazing and terrifying. Especially difficult is his encounter with the juggler named Bear. A huge, and possibly even mad, man, Bear forces the boy to become his servant. Bear, however, is a strange master, for he encourages Crispin to think for himself. Though Bear promises to protect Crispin, the boy is being relentlessly pursued. Why are his enemies so determined to kill him?

Crispin is gradually drawn right into his enemies’ fortress where—in a riveting climax—he must become a different person if he is to save Bear’s life and his own. He discovers that by losing everything, he has gained the most precious gift of all: a true sense of self.

A master of breathtaking plot twists and vivid characters, Avi brings the full force of his storytelling powers to the world of medieval England.

Story Behind the Story

The story of Crispin: the Cross of Lead is complex.

1. My wife and I were driving from Denver to the mountains, listening to a lecture by Dr. Teofilo Ruiz, chair of the History Department at UCLA. It was all about the medieval period. I was fascinated, and told myself that surely there was a story here, and I must do some reading.
2. I did read a lot more—found wonderful stuff—and began to shape a story in my head. read more

Awards and Honors

Newbery Award, 2003
ALA Notable, 2003
Starred Review: School Library Journal
Starred Review: Publishers Weekly
Booksense Top Ten
Best Children's Books of the year, 2003 list, Bank Street College of Education
Children's Choice nominee, Kansas
Children's Choice nominee, Vermont
Children's Choice nominee, Texas
Colorado Book award

Review

“The suspense stays taut until the very end of the book, when Crispin discovers his identity and then must decide how to act on the information… . Avi renders the sights, sounds and smells of medieval England accurately and compellingly. He shows the pervasiveness of the church in medieval society and, in a subplot, weaves in details about John Ball and the Peasant's Rebellion.  Exciting and true to the past. This novel is historical fiction as its finest." (VOYA)