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Genre-jumping author Avi clocks in here with his 50th book, Crispin:The Cross of Lead, an action-packed historical narrative that follows thefrantic flight of a 13-year-old peasant boy across 14th-century England. After being declared a " wolf`s head" by his manor`s corrupt steward for a crimehe didn`t commit (meaning that anyone can kill him like a commonanimal--and collect a reward) , this timid boy has to flee a tiny villagethat`s the only world he`s ever known. But before our protagonist escapes, Avimakes sure that we`re thoroughly briefed on the injustices of feudalism--thecountless taxes cottars must pay, the constant violence, the inability of aflawed church to protect its parishioners, etc. Avi then folds in the book`scentral mystery just as the boy is leaving: " Asta`s son," as he`s always beenknown, learns from the village priest that his Christian name is Crispin, andthat his parents` origins--and fates--might be more perplexing than he everimagined. Providing plenty of period detail (appropriately gratuitous for the age group) and plenty of chase-scene suspense, Avi tells a good story, develops a couple offairly compelling characters, and even manages to teach a little history lesson. (Fortunately, kids won`t realize that they`re learning about England`s peasantrevolt of 1381 until it`s far too late. ) (Ages 10 to 14) --Paul Hughes Show more Show less #outer_postBodyPS { display: none; } #psGradient { display: none; } #psPlaceHolder { display: none; } #psExpand { display: none; } Genre-jumping author Avi clocks in here with his 50th book, Crispin:The Cross of Lead, an action-packed historical narrative that follows thefrantic flight of a 13-year-old peasant boy across 14th-century England. After being declared a " wolf`s head" by his manor`s corrupt steward for a crimehe didn`t commit (meaning that anyone can kill him like a commonanimal--and collect a reward) , this timid boy has to flee a tiny villagethat`s the only world he`s ever known. But before our protagonist escapes, Avimakes sure that we`re thoroughly briefed on the injustices of feudalism--thecountless taxes cottars must pay, the constant violence, the inability of aflawed church to protect its parishioners, etc. Avi then folds in the book`scentral mystery just as the boy is leaving: " Asta`s son," as he`s always beenknown, learns from the village priest that his Christian name is Crispin, andthat his parents` origins--and fates--might be more perplexing than he everimagined. Providing plenty of period detail (appropriately gratuitous for the age group) and plenty of chase-scene suspense, Avi tells a good story, develops a couple offairly compelling characters, and even manages to teach a little history lesson. (Fortunately, kids won`t realize that they`re learning about England`s peasantrevolt of 1381 until it`s far too late. ) (Ages 10 to 14) --Paul Hughes
About the Author
Avi has published more than sixty books. Among them is Crispin: The Cross of Lead, winner of the 2003 Newbery Medal. Other novels with nineteenth-century settings, like The Traitors' Gate -- his grand nod to the work of Charles Dickens -- are listed before the title page, and include the Newbery Honor Book, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Avi and his family live in Denver, Colorado.
