Historical Fiction-Audiobook

I. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Avi. 2002. CRISPIN: THE CROSS OF LEAD. New York: Hyperion. ISBN: 0786808284

Avi. 2002. CRISPIN: THE CROSS OF LEAD. Read by Ron Keith. New York: Recorded Books. CD. ISBN: 1402545533

II. PLOT SUMMARY

CRISPIN: THE CROSS OF LEAD tells the tale of a young boy known to all as “Asta’s Son.” He has been raised in a small English village in the fourteenth century. When his mother dies, he is suddenly falsely accused of stealing and must leave the village. Before fleeing, he learns his true name from the village priest. He is Crispin, and the priest presents him with a cross of lead. Because the boy cannot read, he does not know what is written on it.

As he flees, he meets Bear, a very large man and juggler, who takes him on as his subject and apprentice. They reach the large town of Wexley, and Crispin sees city life for the first time. Still being hunted, Bear is taken prisoner, and Crispin learns his true identity. He is the illegitimate son of Lord … Crispin is able to negotiate his dear friend Bear’s release, and after a struggle with the steward resulting in his death, Bear and Crispin are freed.

III. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In the historical fiction, CRISPIN: CROSS OF LEAD, Avi expertly creates the setting of fourteenth century England. The descriptions of the village create a world unlike our modern day. Avi describes village life and the role of the servant class like Crispin and his mother. As Crispin leaves the village, his vivid descriptions of his journey with Bear further add to the sense of place in the story. As Crispin experiences city life for the first time, the reader is drawn into the sights and smells of city life.

The characters in the story are made real through the dialog and descriptions by the young Crispin. For example, as the reader is introduced to Bear, Crispin first describes his physical characteristics in great detail. Then, when he is aroused from sleep, Bear interacts with Crispin in a playful dialog that further introduces the reader to the type of person Bear is. The villains in the story are not as vivid, but this is typical in traditional literature stories. Both Crispin and Bear are brought to life and believable in both the dialog and experiences they share together in the story.

The story is captivating because of the mystery of who Crispin is. The reader is drawn into the mystery and adventure of Crispin’s journey to find himself. The drama and suspense throughout the story make it a captivating story, and each chapter leaves the reader wanting more information. The theme of the story is timeless and relevant to young people today. Crispin is trying to find his true self, and by the story’s conclusion he has done just that. He finds his identity and is made free by his master and friend Bear.

Audio book Review

In reviewing the unabridged audio book, the story was expertly read by Ron Keith. Keith is a British actor of stage and television. Keith’s pronunciations were perfect, and he did an excellent job of creating unique voices for each character when reading the dialog portions of the text. The listening experience was interesting and absorbing. At the conclusion of each chapter, I was left wanting more. In listening to this story, I think it was effective because of the rich vocal quality of Keith and his accent.

The audio book was in CD format and consisted of six CDs in the hard plastic case. On the cover of the disc set, the cover art from the book is presented, and on the back of the case, a short summary of the book is presented. There is also a short paragraph providing biographical information on Ron Keith. The CD case also includes a recommended age for listening. It is recommended for those age ten and up.

IV. REVIEW EXCERPTS

“Avi has done an excellent job of integrating background and historical information, of pacing the plot so that the book is a page-turner from beginning to end, and of creating characters for whom readers will have great empathy. The result is a meticulously crafted story, full of adventure, mystery, and action.”—School Library Journal

Audio book:

“Ron Keith's rough British accent and low tones lure the reader into a world where, for most people, their village is all they ever know, disease is a constant danger, and one word from a powerful person means death. Keith's slow pacing creates a world of confusion and inner strength for Crispin, building the tension as he is hunted down while fitting together the pieces to the puzzle of whom he really is. Keith's multi-voiced narration adds to the subtle differences between the characters.”--Audiofile


V. CONNECTIONS

**Learn more about the Middle Ages through the following books:
Everyday life in medieval Europe / by Neil Grant.
Life in the Middle Ages. The countryside / by Kathryn Hinds.
Medieval society / Kay Eastwood.
**Create a reader’s theatre script of some of the chapters