Crispin : The Cross of Lead

Rating:
Summary: Medieval Life Made Real
Review: The story plot is good, but what I like best about this book is its absolutely captivating description of life in medieval England. Would definitely recommend it if you are looking for an interesting and realistic book to introduce your child(ren) to medieval lifestyles.

Rating:
Summary: Lead Indeed
Review: There must have been scant competition for the Newberry Prize the year this unsatisfying youth novel received the honor. Set in medieval England, this tale of an orphan on the run for his life may offer the occasional thrill, but I could see every plot twist coming a mile off. In fact, the climax's "surprising" revelation regarding the title character's identity will be guessed by all but the very slowest child before reaching page 20. Even the title is terrible. Crispin would have been ok, if dull and unrevealing. "The Cross of Lead" would have been better, since the cross is the key to the plot. But "Crispin: The Cross of Lead"? A title like that should stand as a warning. After all, there's nothing like a book narrated by a medieval character who can neither read nor write, but manages to scratch out a story in perfect, if simple, 21st century prose.

Avi has written very good books for this age-group in the past, as well as several that match this one missed-note for missed-note. I suggest you try one of his other titles- perhaps "Beyond the Western Sea." This is very sloppy storytelling from a writer capable of much better.