 |
|
by Avi
Travel back to 1377 to a medieval village called Stromford Village. Asta and her thirteen-year-old son, known as "Asta's son", are poor, live in a rented hut, work in the fields, and are shunned by the rest of the villagers. After Asta dies, John Aycliffe's men burn their hut and possessions. Father Quinel, the village priest, reveals to "Asta's son" that his real name is Crispin and gives Crispin Asta's cross of lead that has words written on it. Money is stolen from Lord Furnival's manor and Father Quinel is murdered. John Aycliffe, Lord Furnival's steward, accuses Crispin of the theft and murder and declares Crispin to be a "wolf's head" (not human), therefore anyone can kill Crispin, like an animal, and collect a reward. Crispin, innocent of both crimes, flees Stromford Village with his mother's cross of lead. Along his travels Crispin meets a red headed and bearded giant of a man, named Bear, who entertains and juggles for crowds. Together they travel throughout the countryside and eventually come to Great Wexly during the Feast of John the Baptist.
Why are Bear and Crispin going to Great Wexly? Who is Crispin's father? Why could Asta read and write? What do the words on the cross of lead mean? Why do John Aycliffe and his men want Crispin dead?
CRISPIN: THE CROSS OF LEAD by Avi talks about friendship, orphans, treachery and struggles of medieval life. It is historical, a page turner, has suspense and mystery and adventure
Booktalk by:
Maryanne Horrigan, Londonderry Branch
They were calling him a "wolf's head."
That meant anyone could kill him.
It's fourteenth century England.
His mother had simply called him "Son," and, since her name was Asta, "Asta's son" became his name, and was what all the villagers called him. He and his mother were poor peasants who worked in the fields that belong to Lord Furvinal.
But then his mother died, and after a mysterious man visits John Aycliffe, the steward, he is accused of a crime he didn't commit and declared a wolf's head.
The priest told him to run. To go to the city. That, if he could escape Lord Furvinal's men for a year and a day, he would be free.
The priest told him something else. A secret no one had told him before: his name. Crispin.
But then they killed the priest. And Crispin had no choice but to escape, taking with him only the lead cross his mother used to wear, a cross with writing on it that he cannot read.
Booktalk by:
Angela Kublik, Whitemud Crossing Branch
Travel back to 1377 to a medieval village called Stromford Village. Asta and her thirteen-year-old son, known as "Asta's son", are poor, live in a rented hut, work in the fields, and are shunned by the rest of the villagers. After Asta dies, John Aycliffe's men burn their hut and possessions. Father Quinel, the village priest, reveals to "Asta's son" that his real name is Crispin and gives Crispin Asta's cross of lead that has words written on it. Money is stolen from Lord Furnival's manor and Father Quinel is murdered. John Aycliffe, Lord Furnival's steward, accuses Crispin of the theft and murder and declares Crispin to be a "wolf's head" (not human), therefore anyone can kill Crispin, like an animal, and collect a reward. Crispin, innocent of both crimes, flees Stromford Village with his mother's cross of lead. Along his travels Crispin meets a red headed and bearded giant of a man, named Bear, who entertains and juggles for crowds. Together they travel throughout the countryside and eventually come to Great Wexly during the Feast of John the Baptist.
Why are Bear and Crispin going to Great Wexly? Who is Crispin's father? Why could Asta read and write? What do the words on the cross of lead mean? Why do John Aycliffe and his men want Crispin dead?
CRISPIN: THE CROSS OF LEAD by Avi talks about friendship, orphans, treachery and struggles of medieval life. It is historical, a page turner, has suspense and mystery and adventure
Booktalk by:
Maryanne Horrigan, Londonderry Branch
They were calling him a "wolf's head."
That meant anyone could kill him.
It's fourteenth century England.
His mother had simply called him "Son," and, since her name was Asta, "Asta's son" became his name, and was what all the villagers called him. He and his mother were poor peasants who worked in the fields that belong to Lord Furvinal.
But then his mother died, and after a mysterious man visits John Aycliffe, the steward, he is accused of a crime he didn't commit and declared a wolf's head.
The priest told him to run. To go to the city. That, if he could escape Lord Furvinal's men for a year and a day, he would be free.
The priest told him something else. A secret no one had told him before: his name. Crispin.
But then they killed the priest. And Crispin had no choice but to escape, taking with him only the lead cross his mother used to wear, a cross with writing on it that he cannot read.
Booktalk by:
Angela Kublik, Whitemud Crossing Branch