Crispin: The Cross of Lead (2003 John Newbery Medal Winner) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)CRISPIN: THE CROSS OF LEAD is a thrilling and endearing tale, unquestionably my favorite book of Avi's from the bunch I've read. (This is, in fact, his fiftieth book.) CRISPIN is set in 1300s England. Not only is the story steeped in the history of feudalistic medieval Britain, but Avi brings that history to life most vividly without ever once hitting you over the head with it.
"Time was the great millstone, which ground us to dust like kerneled wheat. The Holy Church told us where we were in the alterations of the day, the year, and in our daily toil. Birth and death alone gave distinction to our lives, as we made the journey between the darkness from whence we had come to the darkness where we were fated to await Judgment Day."
CRISPIN is the name of the 13-year-old peasant main character; although, the only name he's known for himself is "Asta's Son." That is until his mother dies, and in his blinding grief he stumbles upon a secret meeting in the woods between John Aycliffe--the steward of the manor--and a wealthy stranger. In a flash he finds himself the target of a plot in which he is falsely accused of a theft and declared a "wolf's head," allowing anyone to kill him on sight. On his way "out of town" the village priest tells the boy his real name, tells him to hide out for 24 hours until he can round up some provisions, and promises to reveal some more vital information the next day. Then the priest proceeds to get his throat slit and Crispin is on the run with the theft AND the priest's murder hanging over him. What happens to him is one of those stories that is so well crafted that you can taste and smell the settings, as well as hear the sinister growl in Aycliffe's throat, as you anxiously wait for something to go right for Crispin.
While trying not to reveal any more of the story, I'll also tell you that there is a character in here who I find darn near as lovable as Hagrid.
I hope that Avi is contemplating a sequel to this one--the end came way too soon for me.
Richie Partington
http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com

Click Here to see more reviews about: Crispin: The Cross of Lead (2003 John Newbery Medal Winner)

Get 32% OFF

Click here for more information about Crispin: The Cross of Lead (2003 John Newbery Medal Winner)

Read More...

Superhero Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Superheroes have an innate appeal to kids, and photographer Marc Tauss entertainingly taps into that subliminal vein with his visually stunning black-and-white photography "comic book," Superheroes, the endearing tale of Maleek, "a small boy in a big city-- [who's also] a scientist and a superhero!"
"Maleek loved comic books. It was fun to catch up on his fellow superheroes' adventures." the story begins. It's a relatively simple one, featuring disappearing parks and Maleek's over-the-top solution to the mystery, reveling in the seemingly lost art of a hero being a hero simply because it's the right thing to do. And it's fun! The photography -- the combination of a great eye, superior Photoshop skills, and some imaginative constructs -- is absolutely stunning, each collage capturing both the literal and subtextual aspects of Tauss' childlike fantasy.
More important than my enjoying it, though, was Superheroes passing the ultimate test: my almost 5-year-old son liked it, the same kid who typically only likes comics featuring characters he knows from TV, who turned his nose up at Owly, but loves Bumperboy. His enjoyment did come with a qualifier, though, as he explained to his mother: "It's not a comic book. It's a book!" And a wonderful book it is, a worthy addition to any child's bookshelf, sitting alongside any of Dr. Seuss and Maurice Sendak's best works.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Superhero

Get 22% OFF

Click here for more information about Superhero

Read More...

I Witness: Hard Gold: The Colorado Gold Rush of 1859: A Tale of the Old West Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Hard Gold is about the relationship between Early and Uncle Jesse. Early thinks he knows everything about Jesse. Then he hears that Jesse robbed a bank, but Early doesn't believe that had happened. Then Jesse goes to Pike's Peak to find gold, and Early follows shortly after. This book is a great book for people who love action, reality, and a great fill of gold. I loved this book and couldn't put it down. Hard Gold has a great plot with tons of awesome characters.

Click Here to see more reviews about: I Witness: Hard Gold: The Colorado Gold Rush of 1859: A Tale of the Old West

Get 60% OFF

Click here for more information about I Witness: Hard Gold: The Colorado Gold Rush of 1859: A Tale of the Old West

Read More...