“The day after my mother died, the priest and I wrapped her body in a gray shroud and carried her to the village church.”

From Avi’s Crispin: The Cross of Lead.

13-year-old Crispin is the illegitimate son of Asta and an unknown father, in fact he only learns his name is actually Crispin and not “Asti’s Son” after his mother dies.  Shortly after his mother’s death, he is wrong accused of stealing and murder and he is forced to flee for his life.  He is given a lead cross to carry with him and he meets a juggler named Bear.  Bear is a gruff man, but genuinely dedicated to helping Crispin solve the mystery of his parentage and the special message on his mother’s prized lead cross.  Crispin is marked for death because he an illegitimate child and many characters in the book try to harm or distract him because of who his parents were/are, but similarly many others (like Bear) go out of their way to assist Crispin because of who he is as a person.  Through their attempts to escape the man directing the forces seeking Crispin’s life, Lord Furnival, Crispin learns the truth about his past and how to gain his freedom.

This story is captivating from start to finish, with Crispin’s story unfolding through the book with lots of twists and turns to keep everything surprising.  The author conducted research to provide a solid and authentic background for the story, even including real people and events as characters in the book.  In this manner, Avi is able to introduce readers to the world that was 14^th century England and the discrimination that certain groups or classes faced.  Even though there is such a divide between readers today and the world of the book, it is very easy to connect with the main characters and share their pain and joy.  The Cross of Lead provides not only a snapshot into feudal England, but also into the heart of a young boy seeking the chance to live in freedom.