Why read The Cross of Lead?

Book cover of The Cross of Lead

Book description

Newbery Medal winner The Cross of Lead is "a page-turner from beginning to end... full of adventure, mystery, and action" (School Library Journal).

Sometimes I ran, sometimes all I could do was walk. All I knew was that if the steward overtook me, I’d not survive for long....

Crispin is…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked The Cross of Lead as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Faye Gibbons

Author

Crispin is a young serf in Medieval England--an orphan despised by everyone for reasons he does not understand. Though I never had problems as dire as Crispin faced, I frequently felt mistreated as a child, and like him, the forest was my comfort and refuge. Like him, I had a lively curiosity about the lives of others and many times learned important lessons through observation. I shared Crispin's tendency to hero worship those who befriended me, and like him, I generally chose my role models well.

From Faye's list on coming-of-age for almost any age.

Nancy McConnell

Author

I have come to expect a wonderful story when I pick up an Avi book and this one does not disappoint. A true hero’s quest, we follow Crispin across medieval England as he tries to make a life for himself after his previous meager life is shattered. But as with all quests, there is something else going on and Crispin has to use his brain and courage to figure out who he truly is.

From Nancy's list on kids who love a medieval quest.