It is the Middle Ages in England in 1377. A thirteen-year
old boy who has only ever been known as Asta’s son is grieving over the loss of
his mother, the only family he’s ever known. He lives in a small, rural village
where everyone is very poor and works for the Lord of the local area. Though he
thinks he has nothing left to lose, Asta’s son is soon accused of a crime he
didn’t commit, with a price put on his head.
Confused, alone, and frightened, he flees his tiny village
and goes past its boundaries for the first time in his life. He has nothing but
his mother’s cross of lead and a newly revealed name, Crispin. With no sense of
anything outside his village, Crispin embarks on an arduous journey through the
English countryside with his enemies close behind him, though Crispin has no
idea why they are after him. He meets up with a strange, large man named Bear
who makes Crispin his personal servant, though Crispin comes to see Bear as
more of a benefactor over time, as they flee from Crispin’s pursuers together.
My husband and son were right – this is an exciting,
fast-paced adventure story with plenty of heart...oh, and by the way, it won the Newberry Medal. It is filled with surprises
(some of which I guessed at, but it is meant for middle-grade readers). Any
kids who enjoy historical settings or adventure in any form will come to care
for Crispin and root him on, as the pages fly by.
262 pages, Hyperion Books
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