Article, Author Interviews, Book Resources

Avi Interview Transcript


October 17-October 28, 2005, beloved author Avi participated in a bulletin board discussion with Scholastic students and teachers. Avi's books include Crispin: Cross of Lead, and Poppy.

You can also read the transcript for an earlier conversation with Avi.

Questions about Crispin

Discussion Question:
What do you think is the significance of Crispin’s name?

  • Student response: Obviously the name is noble and only for the high-born.

Discussion Question:
What did you learn about the Middle Ages from reading this book?

  • Student response: I learned that people didn't care as much if they killed each other. They're just like, "Oh, you killed a man? Okay, me too!" It's like a neutral feeling about the whole topic.

Discussion Question:
If you were Crispin, at what points would you have disobeyed Bear? What does it show about Crispin when he disobeys?

  • Student response: I probably would disobey Bear when he tied me to a tree. I would be totally scared at that part of the story. I would also disobey him when I saw that man following him by warning him. Otherwise, I would try not to make him angry.
  • Student response: If I were Crispin, I would not have disobeyed Bear because I wanted to stay alive. Bear was trying to keep him safe.
  • Student response: I would not have disobeyed Bear because we wouldn't feel safe.
  • Student response: If I were Crispin, I would not have disobeyed Bear because I would get in big trouble and Bear would not trust me.

Discussion Question:
What does Bear mean when he says, “I should like to be in Heaven before I die”? How does he try to achieve this?

  • Student response: I think that Bear means that he wants to make himself a heaven on earth. With no fighting, etc.

Discussion Question:
How would you describe the relationship between Crispin and Bear? How does it evolve?

  • Student response: Bear was like a father to Crispin because Bear was always there for him.
  • Student response: Crispin was like a son to Bear because Bear loved him and taught him his way of life, and Crispin saved him when he was in danger.
  • Student response: The relationship was pretty good. Crispin and Bear took care of each other.
  • Student response: Very strong because they watched out for each other and tried to take care of each other. Bear was like a father figure to Crispin, who didn't know who his father was.

More Questions about Crispin

I once tried to play the recorder.

What were you thinking as you were writing Crispin?
How to write a good book.


I just liked the name.

Not at all.

What inspired you to write Crispin?
Just thought I had a good story to tell. 



Questions about Poppy

Discussion Question:
In what ways does Mr. Ocax act like a bully? Why does he tell the mice he protects them? Does he really protect them?

  • Student response: If the mice don't do what he wants, Mr.Ocax will eat them.
  • Student response: Ocax acts like a bully because he thinks that mice are losers and owls are the best. Also, he thinks that owl are not scared of anything, but that is not true because Mr. Ocax is scared of  the porcupine that Poppy meets on the way to New House.
  • Student response: Mr. Ocax thinks that he's better than the mice because he's bigger. He wants to be a ruler or king. He doe's not protect them.
  • Student response: He was acting like a bully by not letting them move to New House. He says that he wants to protect them from New House because he is scared of Ereth. No, he doesn't protect them.
  • Student response: Mr. Ocax is a bully because he lies, eats mice, and tells them a porcupine will eat them. And also makes mean threats. He tells the mice, "I'll protect you from that mean Mr. Porcupine." He just wants someone with him to eat and not find out his frightful secret of Ereth. Mr. Ocax does not protect him all. He is, a big baby that lies.
  • Student response: I think Mr. Ocax is a bully because he eats the mice. I also think Mr.Ocax says he protects them so he can swoop down and eat them while they least expect it. I think he so does not protect them because he eats them.
  • Student response: The mice go and ask him, and he eats them and tells them he didn't ask. So he can eat them when they ask. No, he doesn't protect them.

Discussion Question:
Why do you think Poppy’s family dislikes Ragweed so much? What does Poppy love about him?

  • Student response: I think that Poppy's family don't like him because he is from another place or not there.
  • Student response: I think they disliked Ragweed so much because they probably thought if his family ran out of food they would come to Gray House for food. Poppy loved Ragweed so much for his curiosity. She loves adventure, and she did it with Ragweed!!
  • Student response: They probably dislike him because they think he's a gangster mouse. Poppy thinks he's a brave and kind mouse.
  • Student response: Poppy's family has different feelings for him. Basil likes him a little. Lungwart does not like him for being like a hotshot. What is weird is that Poppy likes him for that trait.
  • Student response: I think Poppy's family dislikes Ragweed because he was so curious. He always has a question, and he is very daring. He is a daredevil. I think Poppy loves him because he is different.
  • Student response: I think nobody liked Ragweed because he was a golden mouse and Poppy is a deer mouse. Poppy likes that he is out going and funny.
  • Student response: They disliked the fact that Ragweed is a golden mouse, he wears an earring, and he is a risk-taker.
  • Student response: Poppy loves Ragweed because he is sometimes cautious, kind, and Poppy doesn't care that he might be a little different and is grateful he is her very own for the rest of her life.

Discussion Question:
Why is it so important to Poppy to get to New House? How does she show that she is very brave?

  • Student response: How does she show that she is very brave? Because she traveled alone to New House until he meet the porcupine.
  • Student response: Why is it so important for Poppy to get to New House? Because she want to find out what Mr. Ocax is hiding.
  • Student response: So her family could all live there instead of where they live now. She goes to New House by herself.
  • Student response: Poppy wanted to get to New House, not only for her family. She did it for Ragweed because she thought that's what he would do. I think she is brave. She really loves Ragweed.
  • Student response: She needs to get to New House because their family needs a home to live in. She shows bravery by going there.
  • Student response: I think that it is important to Poppy to go to New House because her family needs to move somewhere larger. And they need food because her family is getting larger. She shows that she is very brave by going herself to New House and by talking to a cat, an animal that can eat her but didn't.
  • Student response: It is important to Poppy because she wants to prove to her family that when she and Ragweed went up on Bannock Hill without permission that that wasn't the cause of Mr. Ocax saying no. She shows she is brave on her journey because she had to face a rushing river and get past Mr. Ocax on the way home.

Discussion Question:
How have all the mice’s lives changed by the end of the story?

  • Student response:  Now they can live free. They can move wherever they want, so they won't be eaten by Mr. Ocax.

More Questions about Poppy
Because he is a dictator. Dictators always lie.

By looking around the earth.

I like the rat when he goes to the porcupine's nest.


How did you feel when you wrote Poppy?
I liked the book.

Why did you choose a cat as Ragweed's enemy?
Cats and mice — seemed a natural. 

How did you choose the character's names in Poppy?
They are all kinds of flowers.

Yes, porcupines really love salt. I don't know why.


Questions about Both Novels

Discussion Question:
What do you think both of these novels have to say about freedom?

  • Student response: I think Poppy had a lot of freedom, but unlike Crispin, he doesn't. I love your books! I have read all of them.


General Questions for Avi


What TV shows do you watch?

It's just fun to do.


Who dies in Perloo the Bold?
P.S. My friends tell me it is good.
Your friend is right. Read the book.

What is your real name?
Dghtyto Bvith Bnpht Ingworht Quvopt Jr.

What do you do for fun?
I like to cook. Photography is my hobby.




Where did you get the name Charlotte Doyle?
Popular name in Providence during the 19th century.

What is your favorite book that you wrote?
Don't have one.

How long did it take to write your longest book?
Fourteen years to write Bright Shadow.

What made motivated you to write Midnight Magic?
Just had a good idea that seemed to work.

There is a movie being made right now.


Every writer has to think up her own ideas.

For the historical fiction I do a great deal. 

What inspired you to be a writer?
My love of reading.

How did you feel when you wrote your first book?

How old were you when you started writing?
Six, when in first grade.

They are just fun to write about.

Do you plan on writing any other books soon?
I'm working on four books.


I think about it. But I haven't done it.

You might like The Fighting Ground.

I don't think I ever will.

read read read read read
read read read read read
read read read read read
read read read read read
read read read read read
read read read read read
read read read read read
read read read read read
read read read read read
read read read read read
read read read read read
read read read read read
read read read read read
read read read read read
read read read read read
read read read read read . . . then write.

I'm supposed to write a sequel to it. I'll try.

I haven't thought of a sequel yet.

I named Edward and Avon after friends of mine. 

I don't know what happened to Ida.

Thank you.

By thinking really hard.

You have to finish the book.

The story ends when the story ends.

I’m supposed to think of a sequel. We’ll see.

I work very hard.

My sister gave me the name Avi. 

That's a private matter. You'll have to ask her.


There are quite a few.

Yes, I have some good friends.

I find writing a wonderful challenge. 

Writing is my profession. Photography is my hobby.

Maybe I will someday.

When did you start to get so interested in books?
When I started to read. 

What inspired you to write all of your books?
I enjoy making up stories that other people can enjoy. 

I play a game called squash.

I root for the Denver Broncos. 

Was Something Upstairs a personal experience for you?
I did live in that house. The rest is fiction. 



How many books have you written altogether?



Someone is making a movie right now.



It's always fun to write something that goes well.

Do you ever wish you weren't an author?
Fridays at about five o clock. 

  • Subjects:
    Achievement and Success, Creativity and Imagination, Pride and Self-Esteem