England, 1377. A boy only known as "Asta's Boy" from his mother's name, leads a simple impoverished existence. Then, one day, after his mother dies, he overhears a clandestine conversation with the town steward and a stranger. After his discovery by the pair, he is declared a "Wolf's Head" and his life is forever altered. For any citizen can kill a Wolf's Head since he is no longer considered a person, but a wild animal to be eliminated for the safety of the town. After finding the town's Priest informs him that his name is Crispin and presents him with his mother's lead cross with an inscription on it he cannot read (since he's never learned to read) he makes his escape by night. Before long he encounters a huge man with a grizzled red beard, and sets off to the region's main city where he learns to read, juggle and wield a dagger for his own protection in the dangerous late middle aged world.
Merit: The third Newbery winner by the author.
Appeal: Written in first person for tight association with the title character.
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