Plot Summary
Asta's Son doesn't even know his name until, at age 13, he becomes an orphan and the village priest reveals to him that his name is Crispin. John Acliffe, the Steward of Stromford, knows a secret, and intends to protect that secret at all cost. He declares Crispin a "wolf's head," meaning anyone can kill him without retribution; he must run for his life. He meets Bear, a juggler and a giant of a man, who becomes Crispin's guardian/mentor/ protector. Together, they take on Acliffe and his forces while working to unravel the secret of the Cross of Lead.
Personal Reaction
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! From the beginning, I was committed to Crispin, a likable, vulnerable protagonist at the beginning. By the end of the book, however, I was feeling a good bit of motherly pride at his strength of character!
Memorable Literary Element
Bear is such an interesting character, his little sayings are deep truths of humanity. "If I've learned one thing, it's that he who knows a bit of everything, knows nothing. But he who knows a little bit well, knows much at all," and, "...churches, priests - they are all unneeded. The only cross you need is the one in your heart." Bear also tells Crispin that it is better to live by questions than by answers, and every man should be master of himself. These all make great discussion points for the classroom.
Illustrations
None
Asta's Son doesn't even know his name until, at age 13, he becomes an orphan and the village priest reveals to him that his name is Crispin. John Acliffe, the Steward of Stromford, knows a secret, and intends to protect that secret at all cost. He declares Crispin a "wolf's head," meaning anyone can kill him without retribution; he must run for his life. He meets Bear, a juggler and a giant of a man, who becomes Crispin's guardian/mentor/ protector. Together, they take on Acliffe and his forces while working to unravel the secret of the Cross of Lead.
Personal Reaction
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! From the beginning, I was committed to Crispin, a likable, vulnerable protagonist at the beginning. By the end of the book, however, I was feeling a good bit of motherly pride at his strength of character!
Memorable Literary Element
Bear is such an interesting character, his little sayings are deep truths of humanity. "If I've learned one thing, it's that he who knows a bit of everything, knows nothing. But he who knows a little bit well, knows much at all," and, "...churches, priests - they are all unneeded. The only cross you need is the one in your heart." Bear also tells Crispin that it is better to live by questions than by answers, and every man should be master of himself. These all make great discussion points for the classroom.
Illustrations
None
Reviews/Awards
Newbery Medal - 2002
Booklist, 2002 - In his fiftieth book, Avi sets his story in fourteenth-century England and introduces some of his most unforgettable characters--a 13-year-old orphan, seemingly without a name, and a huge, odd juggler named Bear. At first, the boy is known as Asta’s Son, but when his mother dies, he learns from a priest that his name is really Crispin. He also quickly comes to realize that he is in grave trouble. John Acliffe, the steward of the manor, reveals himself to be Crispin’s mortal enemy and declares the boy a “wolf’s-head,” which means he is anyone’s prey. Clutching his only possession, a lead cross, Crispin flees his village into a vast new world of opportunity--and terror. At his lowest ebb, Crispin meets Bear and reluctantly swears an oath to be his servant. Yet Bear becomes much more than a master--he’s Crispin’s teacher, protector, and liberator. Avi builds an impressive backdrop for his arresting characters: a tense medieval world in which hostility against the landowners and their cruelties is increasing. There’s also other nail-biting tension in the story that builds to a gripping, somewhat confusing ending, which finds Crispin, once weak, now strong. Readers may not understand every nuance of the political machinations that propel the story, but they will feel the shifting winds of change beginning to blow through a feudal society. — Ilene Cooper
Newbery Medal - 2002
Booklist, 2002 - In his fiftieth book, Avi sets his story in fourteenth-century England and introduces some of his most unforgettable characters--a 13-year-old orphan, seemingly without a name, and a huge, odd juggler named Bear. At first, the boy is known as Asta’s Son, but when his mother dies, he learns from a priest that his name is really Crispin. He also quickly comes to realize that he is in grave trouble. John Acliffe, the steward of the manor, reveals himself to be Crispin’s mortal enemy and declares the boy a “wolf’s-head,” which means he is anyone’s prey. Clutching his only possession, a lead cross, Crispin flees his village into a vast new world of opportunity--and terror. At his lowest ebb, Crispin meets Bear and reluctantly swears an oath to be his servant. Yet Bear becomes much more than a master--he’s Crispin’s teacher, protector, and liberator. Avi builds an impressive backdrop for his arresting characters: a tense medieval world in which hostility against the landowners and their cruelties is increasing. There’s also other nail-biting tension in the story that builds to a gripping, somewhat confusing ending, which finds Crispin, once weak, now strong. Readers may not understand every nuance of the political machinations that propel the story, but they will feel the shifting winds of change beginning to blow through a feudal society. — Ilene Cooper
Promotion Idea
This book would make a great fit in a unit of study about Medieval England, 14th century. Focus might include, but not be limited to:
Lesson plan from Scholastic here.
Another helpful resource here.
One more couldn't hurt, here.
Extension activities here.
This book would make a great fit in a unit of study about Medieval England, 14th century. Focus might include, but not be limited to:
- Religion
- Feudalism
- Plague
- Revolt
Lesson plan from Scholastic here.
Another helpful resource here.
One more couldn't hurt, here.
Extension activities here.