Preview
  • Crispin

  • The Cross of Lead
  • By: Avi
  • Narrated by: Ron Keith
  • Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,146 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

Crispin

By: Avi
Narrated by: Ron Keith
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $17.19

Buy for $17.19

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Newbery Medal winner The Cross of Lead is "a page-turner from beginning to end … full of adventure, mystery, and action" (School Library Journal).

Sometimes I ran, sometimes all I could do was walk. All I knew was that if the steward overtook me, I’d not survive for long.…

Crispin is a poor thirteen-year-old peasant in medieval England. Accused of a crime he did not commit, he has been declared a "wolf’s head," meaning he may be killed on sight, by anyone. He flees his tiny village with nothing but his mother’s cross of lead.

In the English countryside, Crispin meets a man named Bear, who forces Crispin to become his servant yet encourages him to think for himself. But as Crispin’s enemies draw ever closer, he is pulled right into the fortress of his foes, where he must find a way to save their very lives.

A master of breathtaking plot twists and vivid characters, award-winning author Avi brings the full force of his storytelling powers to the world of medieval England.

©2002 Avi (P)2002 Recorded Books, LLC
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"Avi's plot is engineered for maximum thrills, with twists, turns and treachery aplenty, but it's the compellingly drawn relationship between Crispin and Bear that provides the heart of this story." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Crispin

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    746
  • 4 Stars
    243
  • 3 Stars
    89
  • 2 Stars
    37
  • 1 Stars
    31
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    627
  • 4 Stars
    169
  • 3 Stars
    66
  • 2 Stars
    21
  • 1 Stars
    19
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    608
  • 4 Stars
    182
  • 3 Stars
    64
  • 2 Stars
    22
  • 1 Stars
    27

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book! Great Performance!

What did you love best about Crispin?

Crispin is a riveting story, and the performance really enhances the experience.

What did you like best about this story?

It was great through and through, but I really loved how the first chapter and the last chapter reflect each other. It shows how well thought out this book really is!

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the scene where Crispin rescues Bear.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Unexpected ending

The book has me guessing as to what would happen next. Love that the main character finds friendship and is finally loved and cared for by someone. Bad guy gets his come uppings.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Awesome book!

This is among the best historical fiction novels I have ever heard! I would strongly recommend this book to those who enjoy action and adventure!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoy

Very much like this Audible. When I was in school I could never get in to this book. After I read along with this app I very much enjoyed it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Really engaging piece of historical fiction.

Compelling, and hard to put down. I love the reading, he brings the characters to life.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great narration and a great story!

I had read this book as a kid and wanted to revisit it. I couldn’t stop myself from listening to this story. I had forgotten what a sweet little story it is!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great adventurous, keeps you wanting to turn the page.

Couldn’t stop listening! Had to find out what happened next! Great adventure story that keeps you guessing what’s next.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Listened with my 4th grader

Excellent voice actor character adaptations and a story with many profound life lessons. This was assigned reading for my son, and he thought the book was boring – until we started listening to this audible as he read along in the book. It really helped bring the book to life for our young reader!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A GARET BOOK!

This book is one of the best books I have ever read it is full of amazing people and great Adventure!!! I definitely recommend this book!!

-Rachel

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing!

Lovely book! So inspiring and wonderful! It made me so happy and excited! I can not wait to read the next couple of books!😀

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful