Crispin

Gr 4—6—In the final title (HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray, 2010) in Avi's trilogy set in the Middle Ages, times are hard for Crispin and Troth after the loss of their mentor, Bear, but through a series of heartaches and mishaps, Crispin manages to stay true to Bear's vision. Finding a home at a convent where Troth can use the healing skills she gleaned from old Aude, she and Crispin part ways. Though believing he has found a merry traveling troupe of musicians, Crispin sadly discovers that he has fallen in with a group of murderers and thieves. Now responsible for his own fate and that of Owen, a young boy traveling with the troupe, Crispin must find his way toward Iceland, a land of freedom. Although this is the last volume in the saga, Avi has left a lot of loose ends. Ron Keith's well-paced narration gently adds color and life to the many new characters. For fans of the trilogy.—Sara Saxton, Tuzzy Consortium Library, Barrow, AK