Assignment 4: Newbery Book

One student pointed Crispin: The Cross of Lead and she said it was a good book. I had a collection of Newbery Medal books and I haven’t read this one. I decided to read it so I could share my reading experience with her.

The novel begins with the protagonist identified as Asta’s son. Abandoned by his mother’s death, he flees when Aycliffe, the servant Lord Furnival decides to have him killed. During his escape, he bumps into Bear, the mysterious juggler who helps him to investigate his true identity. Asia’s son finds himself called Crispin and he begins exploring new ideas of freedom and his God-given destiny. Crispin eventually identifies himself as a son of Lord Furnival, who has died, leaving his servant in charge of his estate. He ultimately confronts Aycliffe. The novel ends with Crispin’s new life as a free man.

Why is that character acting like that?

With a loss of family history, he has so many questions centering his life. He wants to know who he is and why he feels trapped with his own history. Bear tells him that it is better to live by questions than by answers.

Where is the author going with this?

The author uses the character to illustrate historical truths. People, like Crispin, were forced to accept their fates as serfs. They must serve powerful lords who owned the land and abused their rights. Bear doesn’t just encourage Crispin to know his blood lineage but to question whether his people should lower themselves as servants.

Has something similar happened to me? (T-S)

My conflict with educational decision-makers is similar to Crispin’s rejection of his fate as a serf. I lived during the era that Deaf or hard of hearing children must conform to the ideal of normalcy in the society. By questioning their educational goals, I exercised my rights for self-determination to live the way I want.

Have I read a book that deals with some of the same issues? (T-T)

The Awakening. The female protagonist questions herself as a woman within a male-dominated society that attempts to define her womanhood.

Is there something on a more global scale happening like this? (T-W)

Sexual trafficking. Young people were duped into thinking that they would have better lives when they were offered career opportunities in America or in other prosperous nations. There are some stories of sex slaves who questioned their fates and exercised their self-determination rights.

Perhaps there is language in the book that is particularly descriptive or interesting.

“But this cross—“ I began.

He cut me off. “I know what it is. It’s made of lead. Made in countless numbers during the Great Death. Never blessed, they were given to the dying as false comfort. They’re as common as leaves and just as sacred.

“Crispin, as Jesus is my witness, churches, priests—they’re all unneeded. The only cross you need is the one in your heart.”

I like the way Avi uses leaves for his simile. It helps to illustrate how widespread the dying was. Also, it suggests the pervasive mood of the ‘Great Death.’ He contrasts his simile with a metaphor: the cross in Crispin’s heart. By using a simile and a metaphor, Avi contrasts hopelessness with hope. I find this an interesting passage.