Crispin: The Cross of Lead

In fourteenth-century England a nameless thirteen-year-old peasant boy, who thought he had little to lose, finds himself with even less. Accused of a crime he did not commit, he has been declared a "wolf's head," meaning that anyone can kill him on sight. "Asta's son" learns from the village priest that his Christian name is Crispin and that his parents' origins — and fates — might be more complex than he ever imagined. To remain alive the boy must flee his tiny village — the only world he's ever known — taking with him his mother's cross of lead.

An action-packed narrative follows his frantic flight across 14th-century England. Readers might not realize that they're learning about England's peasant revolt of 1381 until they're hooked on this great story!

Praise for Crispin: The Cross of Lead

"A superb combination of mystery, historical fiction...Breathlessly paced, beautifully written, and filled with details of life in the Middle Ages, this compelling novel is one of Avi's finest." — Book Report

A Newbery Medal Winner
A New York Times Bestseller