Crispin - The Cross of Lead

The 2003 Newbery Winner - Crispin - The Cross of Lead by Avi and I think is was a well deserved win.

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. To remain alive the boy must flee his tiny village, taking with him only his newly revealed name -- Crispin -- and his mother''s cross of lead.

I am not into medieval time period books, though I am trying to broaden my horizons, so started this with an open mind. It grabbed me right away. I felt for Asta's son as he lost his mother, his only family. Then to be accused of something that he did not do and then to be labeled a 'wolf's head', it was hard not to feel compassion for him. I had a hard time putting this book down. I wanted to see what was going to happen and with each page turn the mystery only deepened. The characters were real and believable as was the landscape which totally matched the time period. The wide range of emotions I felt throughout the book was amazing - grief, sorrow, compassion and vengance, just to name a few.

I see there is a sequel and I am off to find it.