I enjoyed this so much and it's been a pleasure to read and discuss it with my 12-year-old son. It's the kind of book I would have absolutely loved as a boy. Though my childhood was not nearly as difficult as Crispin's, I would have identified with him. And now, as an adult knowing much more about medieval England, I was able to enjoy it for different reasons. I find it quite amazing that Avi included John Ball, the 'mad priest of Kent,' in a children's book!