Books like Crispin: The Cross of Lead

If you liked Crispin: The Cross of Lead, read A Year Down Yonder, Criss Cross, or The End of the Beginning — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared award lists and reading level.

Looking for books like Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi (Juvenile Fiction · grades 3–7)? The 10 titles below are the closest matches in the ReadingList database — each scored on shared themes, shared award lists, genre, and reading level, and each linked to the curricula, states, and grades where it’s assigned, with primary sources.

These are reading-level matches, not just topical ones — so the picks stay grade-appropriate for a grades 3–7 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to Crispin: The Cross of Lead

Reading the whole similar-books list? Kids who struggle with the print versions often finish the assigned books by listening.

Listen free on Audiblestarts instantly

New members only · many assigned titles are included with the membership. As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you.

Try it on audio — free. Kids who struggle with the print versions often finish the assigned books by listening.

Listen free on Audiblestarts instantly

New members only · many assigned titles are included with the membership. As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you.

Why each is a match

Amazon links below are affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

A Year Down Yondergrades 3–7
Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7). Amazon → books like this →
Criss Crossgrades 3–7
Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7). Amazon → books like this →
The End of the Beginninggrades 4–8
Is by Avi, the same author, overlapping grades (4–8), and the same era (2000s). Amazon → books like this →
All the Blues in the Skygrades 3–7
Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7). Amazon → books like this →
Caddie Woodlawn's Familygrades 3–7
Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7). Amazon → books like this →
Carry On, Mr. Bowditchgrades 3–7
Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7). Amazon → books like this →
Dicey's Songgrades 3–7
Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7). Amazon → books like this →
Gay Neck, The Story of a Pigeon & Ghond The Huntergrades 3–7
Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7). Amazon → books like this →
Ginger Pyegrades 3–7
Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7). Amazon → books like this →
Hitty Her First Hundred Yearsgrades 3–7
Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7). Amazon → books like this →

Books like Crispin: The Cross of Lead for younger readers (K–2)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps K–2— same scoring, different audience.

  • My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann · grades K–3 — Same genre (JUVENILE FICTION), overlapping grades (K–3), and the same era (2000s).
  • The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney · grades K–3 — Same genre (Juvenile Fiction), overlapping grades (K–3), and the same era (2000s).
  • A Story, a Story by Gail E. Haley · grades K–3 — Same genre (Juvenile Fiction) and overlapping grades (K–3).
  • A Tree Is Nice by Janice May Udry · grades K–3 — Same genre (Juvenile Fiction) and overlapping grades (K–3).
  • Big Snow and Other Stories by Hader, Berta and Elmer · grades K–3 — Same genre (Juvenile Fiction) and overlapping grades (K–3).

Books like Crispin: The Cross of Lead for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 3–5— same scoring, different audience.

  • It's Like This Cat by Emily Neville · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7).
  • Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7).
  • Johnny Tremain by Esther Hoskins Forbes · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7).
  • King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7).
  • Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7).

Books like Crispin: The Cross of Lead for middle school (grades 6–8)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 6–8— same scoring, different audience.

  • It's Like This Cat by Emily Neville · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7).
  • Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7).
  • Johnny Tremain by Esther Hoskins Forbes · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7).
  • King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7).
  • Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Juvenile Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7).

Book data last updated 2026-07-07. Matches are computed from each book’s cited attributes — see the methodology.

← Back to Crispin: The Cross of Lead

Browse by another angle