Avi’s sequel to his Newbery medal winning Crispin: Cross of Lead is the subject of today’s fifth grade book group.  Historical fiction doesn’t tend to be the hottest genre for this age group, but the kids in the book group passionately love both of these books.  We discussed Cross of Lead a few months back, and though I know that most of the kids went on to read the sequel, At the Edge of the World, on their own, I thought it would be an excellent choice for this month’s book discussion. 

So, if historical fiction isn’t usually as popular as fantasy or realistic fiction, why do these books appeal to the fifth graders?  First of all, as I’ve mentioned before, these fifth graders are an exceptional group of strong, interested, active readers.  But clearly the books take a fair amount of credit here.  In Crispin, who would have lived roughly 650 years ago, Avi has created a character of depth and feeling who can draw today’s readers into England of 1377.  We care about Crispin, and our caring draws us in to the rest of the story.  And Crispin’s adopted father and sister, Bear and Troth, form a loving nuclear family that balances the horror and bloodshed of the violent free company and the destruction wreaked by the French upon the town of Rye.  Had Avi not juxtaposed love and war, I doubt that the readership would be as great for these books.  But he did, and the results are masterful. 

I’m looking forward to today’s discussion, and will post the fifth graders’ comments here in the coming week.