Crispin: The Cross of Lead (Book Worksheet)

Crisipin: The Cross of Lead

By AVI or Edward Irving Wortis

Main Characters: Crispin, Bear, John Aycliffe, Crispin's mother

Summary: Crispin is a boy in bondage who didn't even know his own name. He is declared a wolf's head for stealing something he never stole after his mother dies by John Aycliffe, the steward. (A wolf's head means that you are no longer human and that anybody can kill you) Crispin runs away and meets Bear a rather large man who becomes Crispin's new master. But Bear treats him like a son and Crispin becomes his apprentice. Crispin learns his name and learns the reason why he is hunted. His father was Lord Furnival, a man who owned much land. When Lord Furnival dies, Crispin can claim the land and money, but he doesn't want to. Bear is not only a juggler, but a spy too. Bear believes that nobody should be in bondage and that everybody is their own master. Bear is taken away and is tortured. Crispin saves him and John Aycliffe is killed by his own guards on accident.

1. relationship

2. In the midst of death is life

3. Crispin: brave, insecure, modest
    Bear: Kind, thoughtful, wise (in a way)
    John Aycliffe: greedy, evil, ruthless
    Crispin's mom: Hard working, thoughtful, tranquil

4. I can't draw so I will describe the scene and tell why I chose it.

I find the scene in which Crispin is staring down at the water, looking at his dirty, scratched, bruised, and hurt memorable. Bear commands him to wash his face, scrub his face with sand, and cut his hair. When Crispin does as he is told. Bear tells him, "And that was only water and a blade. Think what you might become if you were cleansed of thirteen years of dirt, neglect, and servitude."

This scene was memorable because it was as though Crispin washed his soul clean, (though at that time he believed he had none) it was as though Crispin washed away the bad things of his past and started again.

5. The author is trying to tell you many things. I think one is to believe in yourself and have confidence in yourself. Crispin was constantly saying he was nothing at first and that he couldn't do anything and that he was worthless. But as the story goes on, Crispin begins to think for himself and he learns to be confident with himself. Another thing that the author might be trying to tell you is that everyone is the master of his or herself. A reason why Crispin thought he was nothing was because he had a master and the master was in charge. Therefore, Crispin was nothing but a slave, a machine which does work. But later on Crispin became the master of himself. Finally, I think that the final message the author is trying to get across is that you are important and that it is okay to be different. Crispin says that its not him that is important, it is the people. But Bear teaches him that he is the master of himself. This connects with the message before. Crispin is horrified at first when Bear tells Crispin that he thinks bondage is wrong and that praying to a little cross is no help to you. But Crispin learns to think for himself and he has his own thoughts.

 6. I would rate this book a 10 out of 10. It was a great book. I liked the plot, the beginning, and the ending. It was interesting and had some meaning to it.


7.


Beginning: Crispin's mother dies and Crispin is declared a wolf's head by John Aycliffe, causing Crispin to flee from his village.


Climax: Crispin discover's his name and meets Bear, who becomes his new master, they go to Great Wexley and Bear is taken away by the guards.


Ending: Crispin learns that his father was Lord Furnival but Crispin does not want to claim any money and so Crispin saves Bear and they are free.

Book Worksheet

Setting:

Main Character(s):

Summary:

1. Write one word that best describes the story.

2. Write one sentence that best describes the story.

3. Describe the main character(s) with at least three adjectives each.

4. Draw a part of the story that you think is the most memorable or impressive on a separate piece of paper (or on the back). Write one sentence why you chose that scene.

5. What is the author trying to tell you?

6. Rate this book from one to ten. Why did you rate it so?

7. Label the story graph below with the beginning, climax, and ending. Write one sentence for each part of the story. (I couldn't put the graph up)

 Beginning

Climax

Ending