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A Ceiling Made of Eggshells
Set during the expulsion of Jews from Spain, a story about a young Jewish girl full of heart who must play her own role in her people’s epic history—no matter the sacrifice.
Surrounded by her large family, Loma is happy living in the judería of Alcalá de Henares, Spain, and wants nothing more than to someday have a family of her own.
Still, when her intimidating grandfather, her Belo, decides to bring her along on his travels, she’s excited to join him. Belo has the ear of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, and Loma relishes her adventures with him, adventures that are beyond the scope of most girls of the time. She soon learns just how dangerous the world is for the Jews of Spain, and how her grandfather’s influence keeps their people safe.
But the older Loma gets, the more she longs to realize her own dreams—if Belo will ever allow her to leave his side.
Surrounded by her large family, Loma is happy living in the judería of Alcalá de Henares, Spain, and wants nothing more than to someday have a family of her own.
Still, when her intimidating grandfather, her Belo, decides to bring her along on his travels, she’s excited to join him. Belo has the ear of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, and Loma relishes her adventures with him, adventures that are beyond the scope of most girls of the time. She soon learns just how dangerous the world is for the Jews of Spain, and how her grandfather’s influence keeps their people safe.
But the older Loma gets, the more she longs to realize her own dreams—if Belo will ever allow her to leave his side.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2020
77 people are currently reading
8103 people want to read
About the author
Gail Carson Levine
65 books9,666 followersJust letting you all know: I'm only going to review books I love. There's enough negative criticism without me piling on. A book is too hard to write.
Gail Carson Levine grew up in New York City and began writing seriously in 1987. Her first book for children, Ella Enchanted, was a 1998 Newbery Honor Book. Levine's other books include Fairest; Dave at Night, an ALA Notable Book and Best Book for Young Adults; The Wish; The Two Princesses of Bamarre; and the six Princess Tales books. She is also the author of the nonfiction book Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly and the picture book Betsy Who Cried Wolf, illustrated by Scott Nash. Gail, her husband, David, and their Airedale, Baxter, live in a 1790 farmhouse in the Hudson River Valley of New York State.
Gail Carson Levine grew up in New York City and began writing seriously in 1987. Her first book for children, Ella Enchanted, was a 1998 Newbery Honor Book. Levine's other books include Fairest; Dave at Night, an ALA Notable Book and Best Book for Young Adults; The Wish; The Two Princesses of Bamarre; and the six Princess Tales books. She is also the author of the nonfiction book Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly and the picture book Betsy Who Cried Wolf, illustrated by Scott Nash. Gail, her husband, David, and their Airedale, Baxter, live in a 1790 farmhouse in the Hudson River Valley of New York State.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
April 30, 2020
Paloma is a rare bird. She draws on the strength her dear Bela imparted before dying of the plague. She loves on the "littles" in her family rejoicing with her siblings as they add to the family. Her Belo is an important man in late 15th century Spain and he relies on her to travel with him and be an advocate for the Jewish population. Paloma even gets to meet Christopher Columbus in 1491, the year before he "sails the ocean blue." Unfortunately, I don't see a large number of kids sticking with the book as it takes until about 66% in for it to really get exciting. The period information is well researched and fascinating to me, but even I struggled in the first 50%. So, I would recommend it to kids who like books like "The Book of Boy," "The Inquisitor's Tale," hoping they will fall in love with Paloma enough to hang in there.
Thank you to Quill Books and Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Quill Books and Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2020
Anyone who knows me knows I love Gail Carson Levine. She is easily my favorite middle grade author. So when I saw she was sending out ARCs for her latest book, A Ceiling Made of Eggshells, I jumped at the chance to request it. I was surprised when my request was accepted and the book arrived in the mail a week later. I now had access to Levine’s newest book six months before anyone else! I was so excited to start reading it over Christmas break.
I’ve never read a story that takes place during the Spanish Inquisition (and I’m honestly not even sure I learned about it in school—or if I did, I don’t remember it), so the subject matter really intrigued me. Levine’s father was Jewish, so she wrote this as well as one of her first novels, Dave At Night, to explore her Jewish heritage. As a Protestant Christian myself, I have a fondness for the Jews as God’s chosen people, so I enjoy learning more about their history when I can.
The story starts with six or seven year old Loma catching the plague. Her grandmother, Bela, gave Loma her amulet, as she believed it would protect her granddaughter from evil spirits. While Loma survives the plague, Bela, tragically, does not. Belo, not nearly as kind and sympathetic as Bela, watches Loma recover, trying to understand why Bela loved her so much. Loma is consumed with guilt—she believes that, having “taken” the amulet from Bela, it is her fault Bela died. I was pulled into the story almost right away, wondering how this guilt, based on a superstition, would consume her as she grew up and how it would affect her relationship with Belo, whether or not he, too, blamed her for Bela’s death. Unfortunately, this inner conflict is resolved within a few chapters. The story continues to show Belo’s developed interest in Loma and the daily lives of the Spanish Jews, but besides that, there isn’t any real conflict for almost 150 pages.
Once that inner conflict was gone, it took me a while to get pulled back into the story. To be honest, I couldn’t tell where it was going. Slowly, Loma grew up, and while I knew she loved to count and spend time with her nieces and nephews, and she was intimidated by Belo and his friends, I didn’t know what her motivation or struggle was, as a character. Finally, around 150 pages in, as I mentioned above, a new conflict arises. After turning eleven, Loma waited patiently for Belo and Papa to arrange a marriage for her as she had watched them do for her older siblings when they became of age time and time again. However, Belo decided he wanted her to continue to be his traveling companion and that he’d find her a good husband later. This crushed Loma as she wanted to be a wife and mother now. She also worried that she wouldn’t be able to marry—there wouldn’t be anyone left!—if Belo waited too long. Now that there was tension in her relationship with Belo—the primary focus of the book—I was pulled back into the story and read the last 2/3 of it within a week. It is unfortunate that the first third of the book took a while to build, but looking back, I understand that Levine was setting up Belo’s and Loma’s relationship and the ins and outs of their religion before the heavy persecution began. Once conflict in the story returned, the pace of the story moved quickly.
There are many aspects of this book that fascinated me, the main one being the friction between the Christians and Jews. This hostility was in no way new to the 1400s, but I think it was especially accentuated during this time period. As a Protestant Christian, it was hard for me to read about the violence toward and persecution of the Jews by the “Christians” (they were actually Catholics). While Catholics do call themselves “Christians”, they in no way reflect how a true believer of Jesus would act, especially during the Spanish Inquisition. The Catholics tainted the name of Jesus by associating themselves with Him while at the same time hurting His chosen people. Because of this, I was pained to read Loma’s thoughts on Christians and their faith. Because she’s absolutely right: how could they claim to worship God while at the same time hurt her people? But that’s just it: they aren’t real Christians, not in accordance to true Biblical teaching. This disparity made the conversations between the Christians and Jews in this book very interesting. Because both were wrong just in different ways: the Jews believe the Messiah has not yet come, which we know He has. The Catholics believe He has come in Jesus, but that you must earn His salvation and favor, which we know is not true as God’s gift of Jesus’s salvation for us is free. I was struck by how, as represented in the characters’ daily lives, both religions are centered around rituals. In neither instance is there a personal relationship with God.
Something else that stood out to me was Loma’s strong desire to be a mother. In today’s society where feminism runs rampant, it is rare to find a book where the female main character’s foremost desire is to be a wife and mother. I greatly appreciated this perspective as my greatest desire has always been to be a wife and mother as well. For the first time, I related on a deeply personal level to the main character’s struggle. And in a world where female main characters usually have not just one, but two or three options of men to choose from, Loma, more realistically, had obstacles in her path to marriage. This was made an even more interesting conflict considering that back then all girls’ marriages were arranged for them between the ages of eleven and fourteen. Their sole purpose as a woman was to bear children. As Loma was prevented from fulfilling this purpose due to Belo’s interference, she was often looked down on by those around her.
However, I have to admit that, in regard to Loma’s romantic plot, I was a little disappointed. As the book progresses, so does Loma’s relationship with one of the family’s Muslim servants, Hamdun. I don’t remember if Levine ever gives us his age, but as I read, I assumed he was in his mid-late twenties, maybe early thirties. So I could be totally off, but I definitely felt there was potential for romance between Loma and Hamdun, especially as they bonded over dangerous adventures. While I know that a Jew could never marry a Muslim and vice-versa, it at least felt as if their relationship and feelings toward each other were growing fonder as the story advanced. So when they finally parted, I was heartbroken to see them separated. I guess I couldn’t tell if their relationship was supposed to be platonic or not as it wasn’t really clear.
Finally, this book showcased the never-ceasing resilience and courage of the Jews. This is a trait I’ve noticed often throughout my studies of Biblical times as well as the Holocaust. Anti-Semitism, as old as time, is consistently terrible and unjust, but I don’t see a future where it doesn’t exist until Jesus returns and establishes the New Heaven and New Earth. Until then, Jews have never given up and I have great respect to them for it. I felt this resilience in Loma. There were so many times she was scared, shy, insecure and uncertain of herself and her abilities, but she always rose to the challenge in order to protect her family. Even when it came to her personal desire for marriage, she set it aside to serve her grandpa. In our overly-individualistic society, it is rare to find a person willing to sacrifice their dreams for the sake of someone else’s—in fiction or in the real world. I found this trait to be truly inspiring.
In A Ceiling Made of Eggshells, Levine demonstrates that the Jews have never been safe throughout history and how easily friends can turn their backs on one another. However, Levine writes in her foreword: “we all have bad times in our histories, both recent and long ago. Yet here we are.” While this wasn’t my favorite of Levine’s work, it reminded me once again what I love so much about all her books: her strong and brave characters.
In conclusion, I give A Ceiling Made of Eggshells 4 out of 5 stars. The beginning is slow, but the overarching plot, character development and life lessons learned is well worth the journey. It is also a glimpse into a unique time in history. Because of some realistic, but gruesome descriptions of the persecution of the Jews, I recommend this book for ages 12 and up.
I’ve never read a story that takes place during the Spanish Inquisition (and I’m honestly not even sure I learned about it in school—or if I did, I don’t remember it), so the subject matter really intrigued me. Levine’s father was Jewish, so she wrote this as well as one of her first novels, Dave At Night, to explore her Jewish heritage. As a Protestant Christian myself, I have a fondness for the Jews as God’s chosen people, so I enjoy learning more about their history when I can.
The story starts with six or seven year old Loma catching the plague. Her grandmother, Bela, gave Loma her amulet, as she believed it would protect her granddaughter from evil spirits. While Loma survives the plague, Bela, tragically, does not. Belo, not nearly as kind and sympathetic as Bela, watches Loma recover, trying to understand why Bela loved her so much. Loma is consumed with guilt—she believes that, having “taken” the amulet from Bela, it is her fault Bela died. I was pulled into the story almost right away, wondering how this guilt, based on a superstition, would consume her as she grew up and how it would affect her relationship with Belo, whether or not he, too, blamed her for Bela’s death. Unfortunately, this inner conflict is resolved within a few chapters. The story continues to show Belo’s developed interest in Loma and the daily lives of the Spanish Jews, but besides that, there isn’t any real conflict for almost 150 pages.
Once that inner conflict was gone, it took me a while to get pulled back into the story. To be honest, I couldn’t tell where it was going. Slowly, Loma grew up, and while I knew she loved to count and spend time with her nieces and nephews, and she was intimidated by Belo and his friends, I didn’t know what her motivation or struggle was, as a character. Finally, around 150 pages in, as I mentioned above, a new conflict arises. After turning eleven, Loma waited patiently for Belo and Papa to arrange a marriage for her as she had watched them do for her older siblings when they became of age time and time again. However, Belo decided he wanted her to continue to be his traveling companion and that he’d find her a good husband later. This crushed Loma as she wanted to be a wife and mother now. She also worried that she wouldn’t be able to marry—there wouldn’t be anyone left!—if Belo waited too long. Now that there was tension in her relationship with Belo—the primary focus of the book—I was pulled back into the story and read the last 2/3 of it within a week. It is unfortunate that the first third of the book took a while to build, but looking back, I understand that Levine was setting up Belo’s and Loma’s relationship and the ins and outs of their religion before the heavy persecution began. Once conflict in the story returned, the pace of the story moved quickly.
There are many aspects of this book that fascinated me, the main one being the friction between the Christians and Jews. This hostility was in no way new to the 1400s, but I think it was especially accentuated during this time period. As a Protestant Christian, it was hard for me to read about the violence toward and persecution of the Jews by the “Christians” (they were actually Catholics). While Catholics do call themselves “Christians”, they in no way reflect how a true believer of Jesus would act, especially during the Spanish Inquisition. The Catholics tainted the name of Jesus by associating themselves with Him while at the same time hurting His chosen people. Because of this, I was pained to read Loma’s thoughts on Christians and their faith. Because she’s absolutely right: how could they claim to worship God while at the same time hurt her people? But that’s just it: they aren’t real Christians, not in accordance to true Biblical teaching. This disparity made the conversations between the Christians and Jews in this book very interesting. Because both were wrong just in different ways: the Jews believe the Messiah has not yet come, which we know He has. The Catholics believe He has come in Jesus, but that you must earn His salvation and favor, which we know is not true as God’s gift of Jesus’s salvation for us is free. I was struck by how, as represented in the characters’ daily lives, both religions are centered around rituals. In neither instance is there a personal relationship with God.
Something else that stood out to me was Loma’s strong desire to be a mother. In today’s society where feminism runs rampant, it is rare to find a book where the female main character’s foremost desire is to be a wife and mother. I greatly appreciated this perspective as my greatest desire has always been to be a wife and mother as well. For the first time, I related on a deeply personal level to the main character’s struggle. And in a world where female main characters usually have not just one, but two or three options of men to choose from, Loma, more realistically, had obstacles in her path to marriage. This was made an even more interesting conflict considering that back then all girls’ marriages were arranged for them between the ages of eleven and fourteen. Their sole purpose as a woman was to bear children. As Loma was prevented from fulfilling this purpose due to Belo’s interference, she was often looked down on by those around her.
However, I have to admit that, in regard to Loma’s romantic plot, I was a little disappointed. As the book progresses, so does Loma’s relationship with one of the family’s Muslim servants, Hamdun. I don’t remember if Levine ever gives us his age, but as I read, I assumed he was in his mid-late twenties, maybe early thirties. So I could be totally off, but I definitely felt there was potential for romance between Loma and Hamdun, especially as they bonded over dangerous adventures. While I know that a Jew could never marry a Muslim and vice-versa, it at least felt as if their relationship and feelings toward each other were growing fonder as the story advanced. So when they finally parted, I was heartbroken to see them separated. I guess I couldn’t tell if their relationship was supposed to be platonic or not as it wasn’t really clear.
Finally, this book showcased the never-ceasing resilience and courage of the Jews. This is a trait I’ve noticed often throughout my studies of Biblical times as well as the Holocaust. Anti-Semitism, as old as time, is consistently terrible and unjust, but I don’t see a future where it doesn’t exist until Jesus returns and establishes the New Heaven and New Earth. Until then, Jews have never given up and I have great respect to them for it. I felt this resilience in Loma. There were so many times she was scared, shy, insecure and uncertain of herself and her abilities, but she always rose to the challenge in order to protect her family. Even when it came to her personal desire for marriage, she set it aside to serve her grandpa. In our overly-individualistic society, it is rare to find a person willing to sacrifice their dreams for the sake of someone else’s—in fiction or in the real world. I found this trait to be truly inspiring.
In A Ceiling Made of Eggshells, Levine demonstrates that the Jews have never been safe throughout history and how easily friends can turn their backs on one another. However, Levine writes in her foreword: “we all have bad times in our histories, both recent and long ago. Yet here we are.” While this wasn’t my favorite of Levine’s work, it reminded me once again what I love so much about all her books: her strong and brave characters.
In conclusion, I give A Ceiling Made of Eggshells 4 out of 5 stars. The beginning is slow, but the overarching plot, character development and life lessons learned is well worth the journey. It is also a glimpse into a unique time in history. Because of some realistic, but gruesome descriptions of the persecution of the Jews, I recommend this book for ages 12 and up.
March 30, 2021
My 13 year old self would have eaten this with a spoon. I'm a lifelong history buff, and I've always loved medieval / early Renaissance period settings, and this novel pretty much does everything for me. I love all of the historical details. I love how we get an in-depth look at what it was like to grow up as a Jewish girl in this time period. Many of the critical reviews seem to think the book has "no plot," but I think the plot of "growing up and learning how to survive both as an individual and as an unexpected community leader" mixed with some "slice of life" was pretty engrossing. Was it as quickly paced as outwitting ogres and such, like we see in Ella Enchanted? No, but it's not that kind of book, and the world has room for both.
We meet Loma as a naive 7 year old who barely survives the plague that kills several of her family members (shades of Ella Enchanted, right there, actually), and, shortly thereafter, she begins traveling around with her grandfather (Belo), who uses her as a sort of lucky / comfort talisman. Belo is a rich and savvy businessman who has the ears of the king and queen of Spain, as well as many other important people, and he uses this power to keep the Jews of Spain safe (relatively speaking. He does his best). He's also proud, tyrannical, and selfish on a personal level, and he insists on always having his own way within the family. Loma dislikes discord, and, above all else, wants to be a wife and mother (which was honestly refreshing to see). But she sees the good her grandfather does for their community, so, even as she grows past the usual age of marriage (12-ish) and into her later teens, she stays by her Belo's side to help him. She tries to satisfy her longing for her own "littles" by helping with her younger siblings and niblings whenever she has the chance (and they all adore her for it).
Loma is a thoughtful, observant, compassionate character, as well as a shrewd judge of character. She loves mathematics, and uses her problem solving skills more than once to get herself out of trouble. She also makes mistakes, but she makes a point of learning from them. She acts as diplomat within her family on multiple occasions, and she learns how to make her voice heard even when speaking up makes her nervous. She's delightfully real.
Who would I hand this to? Kids who like history. Kids who like complex world building. Kids who want something that's different, and who don't mind waiting a couple hundred pages before the tempo picks up because the writing and the characters and the setting are enough to hold their attention until then. Kids like I was. I'm pretty sure I'll find some.
One further note: I'm Catholic, and I think other Catholics, in particular, should read this book. This is what real religious persecution looks like, and we did it. A lot. To a lot of other people for a really long time. And we're still doing it, by excluding and alienating people we don't think belong (I'm also queer, which is an interesting dynamic). History, good history, should make people uncomfortable, because that's what's real, and it's important that we learn from it and don't forget.
We meet Loma as a naive 7 year old who barely survives the plague that kills several of her family members (shades of Ella Enchanted, right there, actually), and, shortly thereafter, she begins traveling around with her grandfather (Belo), who uses her as a sort of lucky / comfort talisman. Belo is a rich and savvy businessman who has the ears of the king and queen of Spain, as well as many other important people, and he uses this power to keep the Jews of Spain safe (relatively speaking. He does his best). He's also proud, tyrannical, and selfish on a personal level, and he insists on always having his own way within the family. Loma dislikes discord, and, above all else, wants to be a wife and mother (which was honestly refreshing to see). But she sees the good her grandfather does for their community, so, even as she grows past the usual age of marriage (12-ish) and into her later teens, she stays by her Belo's side to help him. She tries to satisfy her longing for her own "littles" by helping with her younger siblings and niblings whenever she has the chance (and they all adore her for it).
Loma is a thoughtful, observant, compassionate character, as well as a shrewd judge of character. She loves mathematics, and uses her problem solving skills more than once to get herself out of trouble. She also makes mistakes, but she makes a point of learning from them. She acts as diplomat within her family on multiple occasions, and she learns how to make her voice heard even when speaking up makes her nervous. She's delightfully real.
Who would I hand this to? Kids who like history. Kids who like complex world building. Kids who want something that's different, and who don't mind waiting a couple hundred pages before the tempo picks up because the writing and the characters and the setting are enough to hold their attention until then. Kids like I was. I'm pretty sure I'll find some.
One further note: I'm Catholic, and I think other Catholics, in particular, should read this book. This is what real religious persecution looks like, and we did it. A lot. To a lot of other people for a really long time. And we're still doing it, by excluding and alienating people we don't think belong (I'm also queer, which is an interesting dynamic). History, good history, should make people uncomfortable, because that's what's real, and it's important that we learn from it and don't forget.
May 18, 2020
Gail Carson Levine, one of my all-time favorite authors, does not disappoint in this historical fiction novel centering on the Jews' expulsion from Spain in 1492. Despite the wide cast of characters, each seems realistic and has depth. The heroine is courageous and smart but not perfect, and while she overcomes trials, it is not without pain and loss. I found myself engaged in this novel and was glad to learn more about Jewish and medieval daily life. Plus, having studied abroad in Spain, it was a personal delight to "revisit" beautiful cities and sites that I have seen in the modern day. (My most excited moment was a scene taking place in the monastery which actually housed my dorm when I lived there!) This is an excellent work of historical fiction. Be sure to read the author's note at the end, which details Levine's Sephardic Jewish heritage and inspiration for the novel.
June 18, 2020
3.5/5
Thanks to HarperChildrens for this lovely ARC in exchange for an honest book review.
After finishing this book, I LIKE IT! I love Paloma, Hamdun, Belo, and all the side characters (especially the children). The plot is as exciting as historical fiction plots get and the conflicts are real and alluring.
BUT. . . I was sooooo sorely tempted to stop around 1/3 of the book. Seriously. I wanted to put down the book, never touch it again, and never finish Paloma’s story. As a reader, I was bored and annoyed. Here’s why—
There are many, many restrictions to writing historical fiction and because Levine is such a great and informed writer, she takes these restrictions into account. However, these boundaries severely limited the interest of the plot and the development of the character. Worse, I felt that A Ceiling Made of Eggshells lacked the classic Levine charm found in her fantasy-based books.
I admit, I grew up on her books. Everyone did, but this book, in particular, didn’t have that magic—the kind that sweeps the reader into a whole world and engrosses them in the character. That disappointed me and it might disappoint other readers who have fallen in love with that kind of characterization and plot development.
By biggest “peeve” was that Paloma is so young at the beginning. Too young. She’s seven, I think? Levine portrays Paloma that way because during the Inquisition period in Spain, girls were usually married around 11 and seven was necessary for the continual growth and the realistic picture of a young Jewish girl during that time. However, Paloma is so naïve and just young. Her perception of the world is altered and her voice/tone isn’t compelling because it’s so malleable by the opinions of others and the historical situation around her. It’s because that Levine is such a great writer that it was easy to get annoyed by the character in the beginning. It threw me off. As Paloma’s character matured into 17 (?) by the end of the novel, I got her. I understood her and I grew to really love her backbone, her wisdom, and her defying position against societal norms of the era, but it took the whole book for me to grow to love Paloma and the steady buildup of her character. However, most readers may not want to go through that. Who knows?
But I loved the way Levine wrote CONFLICT into every part of Paloma’s life in Spain. Paloma is REAL. She’s part of the very conflicted and fearful existence of Jews in Spain. Reading this book, the cloak of fear and intimidation and threat was so apparent. Readers should see that Jews’ beliefs are constantly threatened by the Christian majority and that there’s little protection except with money. Paloma’s family uses MONEY to solve EVERYTHING.
But it’s so true because nothing else will protect them, not their social positions or connections. Basically, all there accomplishments are held by a thin string because of their religion. As a Jew, you were never safe and injustice was just normal. It’s so saddening to see how Paloma’s family just lives out their lives normally but are criticized and threatened because of their beliefs. The social/religious hierarchy is strong in this one, ladies and gents!
Overall, it’s obvious—so obvious—that Levine knows what she’s talking about, although it may be toned down to fit the character. So, I give this book a 3.5/5, with the -1.5 attributed to the beginning.
Thanks for reading, y’all!
Thanks to HarperChildrens for this lovely ARC in exchange for an honest book review.
After finishing this book, I LIKE IT! I love Paloma, Hamdun, Belo, and all the side characters (especially the children). The plot is as exciting as historical fiction plots get and the conflicts are real and alluring.
BUT. . . I was sooooo sorely tempted to stop around 1/3 of the book. Seriously. I wanted to put down the book, never touch it again, and never finish Paloma’s story. As a reader, I was bored and annoyed. Here’s why—
There are many, many restrictions to writing historical fiction and because Levine is such a great and informed writer, she takes these restrictions into account. However, these boundaries severely limited the interest of the plot and the development of the character. Worse, I felt that A Ceiling Made of Eggshells lacked the classic Levine charm found in her fantasy-based books.
I admit, I grew up on her books. Everyone did, but this book, in particular, didn’t have that magic—the kind that sweeps the reader into a whole world and engrosses them in the character. That disappointed me and it might disappoint other readers who have fallen in love with that kind of characterization and plot development.
By biggest “peeve” was that Paloma is so young at the beginning. Too young. She’s seven, I think? Levine portrays Paloma that way because during the Inquisition period in Spain, girls were usually married around 11 and seven was necessary for the continual growth and the realistic picture of a young Jewish girl during that time. However, Paloma is so naïve and just young. Her perception of the world is altered and her voice/tone isn’t compelling because it’s so malleable by the opinions of others and the historical situation around her. It’s because that Levine is such a great writer that it was easy to get annoyed by the character in the beginning. It threw me off. As Paloma’s character matured into 17 (?) by the end of the novel, I got her. I understood her and I grew to really love her backbone, her wisdom, and her defying position against societal norms of the era, but it took the whole book for me to grow to love Paloma and the steady buildup of her character. However, most readers may not want to go through that. Who knows?
But I loved the way Levine wrote CONFLICT into every part of Paloma’s life in Spain. Paloma is REAL. She’s part of the very conflicted and fearful existence of Jews in Spain. Reading this book, the cloak of fear and intimidation and threat was so apparent. Readers should see that Jews’ beliefs are constantly threatened by the Christian majority and that there’s little protection except with money. Paloma’s family uses MONEY to solve EVERYTHING.
But it’s so true because nothing else will protect them, not their social positions or connections. Basically, all there accomplishments are held by a thin string because of their religion. As a Jew, you were never safe and injustice was just normal. It’s so saddening to see how Paloma’s family just lives out their lives normally but are criticized and threatened because of their beliefs. The social/religious hierarchy is strong in this one, ladies and gents!
Overall, it’s obvious—so obvious—that Levine knows what she’s talking about, although it may be toned down to fit the character. So, I give this book a 3.5/5, with the -1.5 attributed to the beginning.
Thanks for reading, y’all!
April 17, 2021
This is a unique story, in that I don't think I've ever seen a middle-grade book set during the Spanish Inquisition, revolving around the expulsion of the Jews. So I was definitely excited to read it.
I loved Paloma as a character - she has a great arc over the course of the story. All Paloma, or Loma, wants is to be a mother. She adores caring for her "littles" - her siblings, nieces, and nephews and cannot wait to have children of her own. However, Abuelo, her grandfather whom she calls Belo, has different plans for her and asks her to help him in his work to protect the Jews of Spain.
We follow Loma from the age of about 7 until she is 16, as she travels across Spain with her father and grandfather, meeting with the monarchs and pleading for the Jews. All the while, the Christians of Spain constantly try to force them to convert, sometimes politely, but most times it was either convert or die. Those who did were watched carefully, in case they reverted to Judaism. It was a very dangerous time and place to be a Jew, and it was great to see Loma holding strong to her beliefs.
This book was very well-researched, and I know it was one that the author had been wanting to write for many years as it is based on her own family history.
I loved Paloma as a character - she has a great arc over the course of the story. All Paloma, or Loma, wants is to be a mother. She adores caring for her "littles" - her siblings, nieces, and nephews and cannot wait to have children of her own. However, Abuelo, her grandfather whom she calls Belo, has different plans for her and asks her to help him in his work to protect the Jews of Spain.
We follow Loma from the age of about 7 until she is 16, as she travels across Spain with her father and grandfather, meeting with the monarchs and pleading for the Jews. All the while, the Christians of Spain constantly try to force them to convert, sometimes politely, but most times it was either convert or die. Those who did were watched carefully, in case they reverted to Judaism. It was a very dangerous time and place to be a Jew, and it was great to see Loma holding strong to her beliefs.
This book was very well-researched, and I know it was one that the author had been wanting to write for many years as it is based on her own family history.
November 10, 2021
Those of you who are offended by the fact that 12 year old girls are getting married (and having kids) in this book, welcome to history.The average person of the time has a life span about half of what we have today.Loma's parents are likely to be in their thirties and her grandparents perhaps in their 50s--and at that age considered really OLD!
Also you are kidding yourself if you don't think that child marriage isn't around anymore. Sadly, it still exists widely in many parts of the world to this day. It horrifies me that it exists in 2021. But like so many things, it needs to be put into perspective. And what Carson Levine portrays here is true to its time. Want everything nicey nicey? Well, Carson Levine has written some really nice fairy tales...
This is an interesting piece of historical fiction about a part of Jewish history seldom dealt with in kids fiction--the Sephardic Jews and their expulsion from Spain by Ferdinand and Isabella. It won't be everyone's cup of tea-the pace isn't fast, and at the beginning I found Loma less than believable. But I persisted with the story and enjoyed it.
Also you are kidding yourself if you don't think that child marriage isn't around anymore. Sadly, it still exists widely in many parts of the world to this day. It horrifies me that it exists in 2021. But like so many things, it needs to be put into perspective. And what Carson Levine portrays here is true to its time. Want everything nicey nicey? Well, Carson Levine has written some really nice fairy tales...
This is an interesting piece of historical fiction about a part of Jewish history seldom dealt with in kids fiction--the Sephardic Jews and their expulsion from Spain by Ferdinand and Isabella. It won't be everyone's cup of tea-the pace isn't fast, and at the beginning I found Loma less than believable. But I persisted with the story and enjoyed it.
September 28, 2022
This book took me by surprise as I was expecting a fairytale. I've read several other books by Levine and they've all been fairytale based. So I seriously was expecting a big twist for over half the book. That aside, Loma's tale is skillfully written and an excellent way to learn and really think about the Spanish Inquisition. Loma felt real and relatable.
The mid-1400s were such a vastly different time compared to the 2020s we're now living in. As an adult reader, it was offputting thinking about these children being married off at ages where today they are in middle school, but Levine writes about this aspect appropriately and tactfully keeping the history and time period in mind.
The mid-1400s were such a vastly different time compared to the 2020s we're now living in. As an adult reader, it was offputting thinking about these children being married off at ages where today they are in middle school, but Levine writes about this aspect appropriately and tactfully keeping the history and time period in mind.
April 26, 2021
Fascinating history and great writing. The story really drew me in and I absolutely loved Paloma as a character.
May 17, 2024
Not my favorite by Levine, but still a really really good book. I learned a lot about Spanish culture and Jewish culture in the 1490s, which is always a good thing (cultural history is wild).
March 29, 2020
It took me a while to get into this story, but it was very interesting and a story/perspective I've never heard before. I love when I find one of those.
While I'll read anything and everything this author writes, I don't find her historical fiction as compelling as her fantasy. Still I enjoyed this read and learned a lot.
While I'll read anything and everything this author writes, I don't find her historical fiction as compelling as her fantasy. Still I enjoyed this read and learned a lot.
May 19, 2021
A slow beginning, but a gritty main character and a fascinating time period made for a solid, steady read. Paloma is a young girl of maybe seven. She has an iffy relationship with her older brother, Yuba, doesn't seem to think much of her mother, but is very close with her grandmother, Bela. Unfortunately, within a few pages, Paloma catches the plague and loses two siblings and her grandmother. Heartbroken, Paloma forges a new relationship with her grandfather, Belo, who is also distraught. Over time, these two become traveling companions. Paloma gets wide exposure to the world outside their Jewish enclave, and Belo gets a youthful, clever, and willing helper.
Their new connection is not without difficulties. Belo is wealthy and stubborn and used to getting his own way. Paloma's mantra is not to create discord, and so while she is deeply intelligent, she submits to all kinds of not-great things in the name of helping Belo. In their travels, though, they meet with the monarchs of Spain (Isabella and Ferdinand) as well as Christopher Columbus. All this traveling is how Belo keeps the Jews of Spain from being completely wiped out. They are already forced to live apart from the rest of society, and they are unwelcome in several other countries. The religious peace between the Muslims, Christians, and Jewish people is very fragile and fraught, and in the midst of this story Isabella and Ferdinand are fighting to get the Muslims out of Spain. Once that war is over, everyone breathes a sigh of relief, but then their sights turn on the Spanish Jews. All of Belo's connections and money and influence can't halt the inevitable. The Jews are expelled from Spain and forced to flee, convert, or die.
Through it all, Paloma is an interesting combination of submissive and bold. She has an inherent ability for diplomacy and negotiation. Paloma is desperate to be a mother, in part because that is what women are at the time, and in part for the sheer love of children. The acknowledgement that women can be both smart and caring shouldn't need to be called out or cheered, and yet here we are. Her grandfather's situation, in which he spreads money around to grease all kinds of wheels, highlights the capriciousness of discrimination. The monarchs are devout and fanatical Christians, and greedy for more funds (for war, for exploration, for glory). The latter means they take advantage of doing business with wealthy Jews like Belo, while the former gives them a condescending and menacing air while doing so. They are not above threatening forced conversion, Inquisitorial torture, or ultimately expulsion from the country.
This is both a discouraging and enlightening read. It is clearly personal for the author from whose family history this story comes (not Paloma specifically, but the expulsion of the Jews from Spain). In some ways, this story holds elements of the fairytales that Levine also writes -- the brave princess-type character who must defeat mounting odds. But it's also a reminder that equality under the law is no small achievement, and one that can easily be destroyed.
Their new connection is not without difficulties. Belo is wealthy and stubborn and used to getting his own way. Paloma's mantra is not to create discord, and so while she is deeply intelligent, she submits to all kinds of not-great things in the name of helping Belo. In their travels, though, they meet with the monarchs of Spain (Isabella and Ferdinand) as well as Christopher Columbus. All this traveling is how Belo keeps the Jews of Spain from being completely wiped out. They are already forced to live apart from the rest of society, and they are unwelcome in several other countries. The religious peace between the Muslims, Christians, and Jewish people is very fragile and fraught, and in the midst of this story Isabella and Ferdinand are fighting to get the Muslims out of Spain. Once that war is over, everyone breathes a sigh of relief, but then their sights turn on the Spanish Jews. All of Belo's connections and money and influence can't halt the inevitable. The Jews are expelled from Spain and forced to flee, convert, or die.
Through it all, Paloma is an interesting combination of submissive and bold. She has an inherent ability for diplomacy and negotiation. Paloma is desperate to be a mother, in part because that is what women are at the time, and in part for the sheer love of children. The acknowledgement that women can be both smart and caring shouldn't need to be called out or cheered, and yet here we are. Her grandfather's situation, in which he spreads money around to grease all kinds of wheels, highlights the capriciousness of discrimination. The monarchs are devout and fanatical Christians, and greedy for more funds (for war, for exploration, for glory). The latter means they take advantage of doing business with wealthy Jews like Belo, while the former gives them a condescending and menacing air while doing so. They are not above threatening forced conversion, Inquisitorial torture, or ultimately expulsion from the country.
This is both a discouraging and enlightening read. It is clearly personal for the author from whose family history this story comes (not Paloma specifically, but the expulsion of the Jews from Spain). In some ways, this story holds elements of the fairytales that Levine also writes -- the brave princess-type character who must defeat mounting odds. But it's also a reminder that equality under the law is no small achievement, and one that can easily be destroyed.
June 8, 2020
A Ceiling Made of Eggshells evokes such a clear, powerful image. The thought of an off white ceiling above you with many tiny cracks, that is so fragile and thin the light seeps through. When it was whole it protected the egg inside, but also was easily penetrated. All these thoughts run through your mind even before you have cracked the binding of this new book by the wonderful author, Gail Carson Levine.
Levine who brought us so many pre-teen fiction favorites like The Princess Tales series and Ella Enchanted and Dave At Night, now looks to the Spanish Inquisition and using historical accuracy weaves a tale of life in Spain for Jews leading up to the Expulsion in 1492.
Paloma is the main character in this book and we see the world through her eyes. She is a young girl living in the juderia of Alcala de Henares, Spain. Loma as she is known in her large family is only 12 years old when her beloved grandmother dies and as she reminds her grandfather of his lost wife, she becomes his favorite. Belo, grandfather, or Don Joseph as he is known to the many people he collects taxes from and to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella , who he works to befriend when he delivers the taxes, brings Loma along with him as he travels. Don Joseph along with a few other important men in the Jewish quarter are working to keep the Jewish people safe. They offer bribes and placate the royal family to protect the families around them.
Loma is watching and learning. The reader is also learning along with Loma the very dangers that face the Jewish people living in Spain at this time in history. The Inquisition is gearing up slowly and at first just seems to be a nuisance that can be lived with. But slowly it increases its tentacles and tries to draw in more and more people. There are the Old Cristians and the New Christians and the Jews. There is always pressure and danger. Loma grows up as we follow her traveling with her Belo across Spain and even when she is threatened or in life threatening situations she remains brave and always thinking quickly on her feet.
An interesting, captivating plot that will appeal to all readers who are interested in learning more about the Spanish Inquisition .
Levine who brought us so many pre-teen fiction favorites like The Princess Tales series and Ella Enchanted and Dave At Night, now looks to the Spanish Inquisition and using historical accuracy weaves a tale of life in Spain for Jews leading up to the Expulsion in 1492.
Paloma is the main character in this book and we see the world through her eyes. She is a young girl living in the juderia of Alcala de Henares, Spain. Loma as she is known in her large family is only 12 years old when her beloved grandmother dies and as she reminds her grandfather of his lost wife, she becomes his favorite. Belo, grandfather, or Don Joseph as he is known to the many people he collects taxes from and to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella , who he works to befriend when he delivers the taxes, brings Loma along with him as he travels. Don Joseph along with a few other important men in the Jewish quarter are working to keep the Jewish people safe. They offer bribes and placate the royal family to protect the families around them.
Loma is watching and learning. The reader is also learning along with Loma the very dangers that face the Jewish people living in Spain at this time in history. The Inquisition is gearing up slowly and at first just seems to be a nuisance that can be lived with. But slowly it increases its tentacles and tries to draw in more and more people. There are the Old Cristians and the New Christians and the Jews. There is always pressure and danger. Loma grows up as we follow her traveling with her Belo across Spain and even when she is threatened or in life threatening situations she remains brave and always thinking quickly on her feet.
An interesting, captivating plot that will appeal to all readers who are interested in learning more about the Spanish Inquisition .
June 11, 2020
The book is very rich and detailed, offering a very interesting view of life for Jews in Spain in the years leading up to 1492, with the Jewish Expulsion by King Ferdinand III and Queen Isabella. The character of Loma was endearing and I found some of the little details:
- her penchant for numbers to calm her
- her shifting understanding of the world around her as she begins as a seven year old and ends when she is roughly sixteen
- the family relationships and the impact they have upon her (particularly with the men of her family)
- her devotion to her family and, at the same time, the internal conflict that devotion causes
- the dangers of the time period and the politics that she is pulled into due to no fault of her own
- her giving heart and the struggle with living up to the expectations exacted of her by the men in her family and the patriarchal community she is a part of
It was beautifully written and I felt for the character. I appreciated the strength and the ability to find a voice and be "stubborn".
- her penchant for numbers to calm her
- her shifting understanding of the world around her as she begins as a seven year old and ends when she is roughly sixteen
- the family relationships and the impact they have upon her (particularly with the men of her family)
- her devotion to her family and, at the same time, the internal conflict that devotion causes
- the dangers of the time period and the politics that she is pulled into due to no fault of her own
- her giving heart and the struggle with living up to the expectations exacted of her by the men in her family and the patriarchal community she is a part of
It was beautifully written and I felt for the character. I appreciated the strength and the ability to find a voice and be "stubborn".
October 7, 2020
I enjoyed how the main character wanted to be married and have children. So many historical fiction books are putting 21st century sensibilities and dreams into characters from every time period, so that made this feel a little more authentic. Not every woman throughout history was adventurous and rebellious. And there is nothing wrong with wanting a domestic life as long as it is freely chosen, so I like the idea of girls who want that find themselves also represented without it being shameful.
Did not enjoy any of the adult characters. Very one-dimensional and deeply flawed. I am used to incompetent adults in dystopian fiction, not historical.
This is the first MG book I have ever read that has covered the Jewish expulsion from Spain, so that made it extra interesting.
Did not enjoy any of the adult characters. Very one-dimensional and deeply flawed. I am used to incompetent adults in dystopian fiction, not historical.
This is the first MG book I have ever read that has covered the Jewish expulsion from Spain, so that made it extra interesting.
April 28, 2020
Very interesting this horrible book with four reviews is being pushed by Goodreads on monthly suggested reading. There is no explanation other than the obvious one.
Also, the book itself sucks. Very unintelligently written, bad understanding of both language and storytelling, and a bunch of nonsense.
Also, the book itself sucks. Very unintelligently written, bad understanding of both language and storytelling, and a bunch of nonsense.
February 11, 2021
Four stars for the historical research and context, four stars for the writing style, prose and characters. Gail Carson Levine has such a way with words though I rarely read YA/middle grade novels any more. Three stars for the overarching plot of the novel which I found a little weak; however I just had so much fun imagining life in Inquisition era Spain.
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June 15, 2020I can't read books about 11 year old kids getting married and having a bunch of kids by age 18. Yes: that's my whole review.
October 13, 2021
Loved this! I did not know Gail Carson Levine had Spanish-Jewish ancestry, that makes this more touching. Excellently written, as usual
April 17, 2021
Three stars because it was by Gail Carson Levine, and she has a magic way with words. But this was my least favorite of all her books thus far, though I never expect anything to be better than Ella Enchanted.
It started out good, she does a good job at characterizing her characters in such a short time frame. The main character is interesting and unique for her time. I liked the added detail of how she loves to count and how she always wants to avoid discord. It really set the stage for the rest of the book.
However, the rest of the book went slowly. It goes year by year without many time jumps at all. It also seems like an overview most of the time, highlighting things done and places gone throughout the year without the specific scenes and conversations that make readers feel like they're there with them.
I do have to applaud Gail Carson Levine for doing her research. It felt very authentic, and perhaps a little too authentic at times. I know they married very young back then, but it doesn't make it any less weird reading it now.
Besides this, there were certain expectations that the author set up that I felt were never fulfilled.
I must say that there were surprises in this book that I didn't see coming. However, just when things started heating up they always ended up leveling out again. The highs and lows never stuck. And the constant talk of them traveling here and there got tiring since there wasn't really any conversations that broke it up. I think that was what was most disappointing was that I just saw so much potential in developed relationships in this book that never seemed to pan out. Though I shouldn't complain too much since I did enjoy it and the main plot of the book was fulfilled and ended on a good note. So there's that.
It started out good, she does a good job at characterizing her characters in such a short time frame. The main character is interesting and unique for her time. I liked the added detail of how she loves to count and how she always wants to avoid discord. It really set the stage for the rest of the book.
However, the rest of the book went slowly. It goes year by year without many time jumps at all. It also seems like an overview most of the time, highlighting things done and places gone throughout the year without the specific scenes and conversations that make readers feel like they're there with them.
I do have to applaud Gail Carson Levine for doing her research. It felt very authentic, and perhaps a little too authentic at times. I know they married very young back then, but it doesn't make it any less weird reading it now.
Besides this, there were certain expectations that the author set up that I felt were never fulfilled.
I must say that there were surprises in this book that I didn't see coming. However, just when things started heating up they always ended up leveling out again. The highs and lows never stuck. And the constant talk of them traveling here and there got tiring since there wasn't really any conversations that broke it up. I think that was what was most disappointing was that I just saw so much potential in developed relationships in this book that never seemed to pan out. Though I shouldn't complain too much since I did enjoy it and the main plot of the book was fulfilled and ended on a good note. So there's that.
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January 9, 2025The cities of Europe are filled with Jewish quarters that have no Jews left in them, and Spain is no exception. So I was excited to see that one of my favorite childhood authors had written a book that finally recognized the mark of Sephardic Jews on the history of southern Europe, and the simultaneous hysteria and cold-blooded strategizing behind the Spanish Inquisition. I was even more thrilled to see that this child-friendly Inquisition book was partially set in the ancient city of Alcalá de Henares, where I used to live!
I´m no historian, but three years in Alcalá showed me a town that in many ways is a microcosm of Spain´s history. Once a Roman city called Complutum, then an Arabic stronghold known as al-Qalat abd al-Salam, and later, the multireligious hub where Levine´s book is set, Alcalá would, in more recent history, become known for its prestigious universities, literary festivals, and, on a much darker note, war crimes during the Franco years. Today, in the city´s well-preserved old center, only tiny signs remind us of where the Jewish and Muslim quarters once stood, respectively.
Though this book heads off on kind of a slow start, and the language can occasionally be cloying and melodramatic, the research and emotional connection to the theme is evident. The book´s protagonist, Paloma isn´t exactly the most fun character of children´s literature: she´s no Ella Enchanted, though she does have some amusing witticisms towards the end of the book. Still, as we follow her over the course of about ten years, she shows a courage in the face of hardship that is both born from her own context and heavily relevant to today´s world. She´s obsessed with children to the point of absurdity--her main goal, from age seven, is to be a mother--but she also lives in a place and time where this is one of the few interests women and girls got to have. At the same time, we see how throughout the book Paloma is used as a political tool by her grandfather, Belo, and other influential Jews, and her desire to merely be a mother and protect her own and other children (any potential husband is merely a vehicle to this goal) can almost be seen as radical.
How do you write a kid´s book about the Spanish Inquisition? This novel was yet another example of a truth that I´ve been increasingly facing head-on as I read and reread middle-grade books: juvenile literature is not for the faint of heart. While this book contains no graphic violence, the threat of it is ever-present, and the reality of the abundant torture and enslavement of the 15th century is made explicit. Levine does not mince the reality of people being expelled from their home on the basis of religion, or even the mass hysteria around blood libel. There is even an incident that implies sexual violence, reminding us of its terrible frequency in these contexts.
This isn´t really a religious book, though it could be seen as a recognition of the power of faith and rare human goodness. On the other hand, this book was a whole education for me; as Paloma meets with the Spanish monarchs, the princess infanta, and even Christopher Columbus, we see that the Inquisition was not only about religion. The Catholic church and the king and queen who ruled it had as much of an agenda as every politician, and took advantage of public fear and othering in a way that´s familiar today. As Paloma begins her strategic trips with her grandfather at the tender age of seven, she is rapidly forced to grow up, encountering both the thoughtless discrimination from the uneducated masses and the cold calculations of the ruling class.
I´m no historian, but three years in Alcalá showed me a town that in many ways is a microcosm of Spain´s history. Once a Roman city called Complutum, then an Arabic stronghold known as al-Qalat abd al-Salam, and later, the multireligious hub where Levine´s book is set, Alcalá would, in more recent history, become known for its prestigious universities, literary festivals, and, on a much darker note, war crimes during the Franco years. Today, in the city´s well-preserved old center, only tiny signs remind us of where the Jewish and Muslim quarters once stood, respectively.
Though this book heads off on kind of a slow start, and the language can occasionally be cloying and melodramatic, the research and emotional connection to the theme is evident. The book´s protagonist, Paloma isn´t exactly the most fun character of children´s literature: she´s no Ella Enchanted, though she does have some amusing witticisms towards the end of the book. Still, as we follow her over the course of about ten years, she shows a courage in the face of hardship that is both born from her own context and heavily relevant to today´s world. She´s obsessed with children to the point of absurdity--her main goal, from age seven, is to be a mother--but she also lives in a place and time where this is one of the few interests women and girls got to have. At the same time, we see how throughout the book Paloma is used as a political tool by her grandfather, Belo, and other influential Jews, and her desire to merely be a mother and protect her own and other children (any potential husband is merely a vehicle to this goal) can almost be seen as radical.
How do you write a kid´s book about the Spanish Inquisition? This novel was yet another example of a truth that I´ve been increasingly facing head-on as I read and reread middle-grade books: juvenile literature is not for the faint of heart. While this book contains no graphic violence, the threat of it is ever-present, and the reality of the abundant torture and enslavement of the 15th century is made explicit. Levine does not mince the reality of people being expelled from their home on the basis of religion, or even the mass hysteria around blood libel. There is even an incident that implies sexual violence, reminding us of its terrible frequency in these contexts.
This isn´t really a religious book, though it could be seen as a recognition of the power of faith and rare human goodness. On the other hand, this book was a whole education for me; as Paloma meets with the Spanish monarchs, the princess infanta, and even Christopher Columbus, we see that the Inquisition was not only about religion. The Catholic church and the king and queen who ruled it had as much of an agenda as every politician, and took advantage of public fear and othering in a way that´s familiar today. As Paloma begins her strategic trips with her grandfather at the tender age of seven, she is rapidly forced to grow up, encountering both the thoughtless discrimination from the uneducated masses and the cold calculations of the ruling class.
August 22, 2021
Gail Carson Levine, I am a fan of this. I have never read a single book about the Spanish inquisition, or specifically Sephardic Jews and their expulsion in 1492, so already that is a plus for this book and I learned so many things. But also so many of the characters are well-rounded and grey and it's interesting, and I liked Loma as a narrator.
Should this be categorized as middle grade? Ehhh. I understand why it was categorized this way, because it's Gail Carson Levine. Also I personally read way more of this type of historical fiction when I was 11/12 than I do now. Like I don't think this is unique in the middle grade/books-tweens-read market. But also, throw in a random mature scene and this wouldn't be out of place on adult shelves. Or YA with like virtually no changes. (Actually if it was YA Hamdun would be the love interest, hopefully but not necessarily shifted to be age appropriate. Am I wrong?) Most middle grade doesn't have a 7-16 year old protagonist because 10 year olds don't want to read from the perspectives of itty bitty 7 year olds (and 7 year olds don't want to read this). Also the way one specific 13 year old is baby coddled would totally irk 12 year old me. Just saying. 17 year old me isn't fazed. So audience is not the best considered in the world.
Plot, mood, and atmosphere wise, this is not like the books Levine is known for, and a lot more like...historical fiction about people being oppressed by something. Oh, look. It is that. Her storytelling style is the same though, or at least you can still tell it's her. Will this be the enduring beloved favourite that Ella Enchanted is? No. But it's good historical fiction. (I don't say that because it's bad but because delightful fantasy romps are way more universally appealing and revisitable than historical fiction books. In my opinion. Also Ella Enchanted is one of my very most beloved books ever.)
P.S. I'm thinking about Levine's other recent releases like the ogre one and Ever, and honestly I was never even sold enough to make much of a dent in them. So if Levine wants to just swing into historical fiction for good, honestly I'd be here for it because I'm WAY more into this.
After reading the Author's Note, I might go try out Dave at Night now.
Should this be categorized as middle grade? Ehhh. I understand why it was categorized this way, because it's Gail Carson Levine. Also I personally read way more of this type of historical fiction when I was 11/12 than I do now. Like I don't think this is unique in the middle grade/books-tweens-read market. But also, throw in a random mature scene and this wouldn't be out of place on adult shelves. Or YA with like virtually no changes. (Actually if it was YA Hamdun would be the love interest, hopefully but not necessarily shifted to be age appropriate. Am I wrong?) Most middle grade doesn't have a 7-16 year old protagonist because 10 year olds don't want to read from the perspectives of itty bitty 7 year olds (and 7 year olds don't want to read this). Also the way one specific 13 year old is baby coddled would totally irk 12 year old me. Just saying. 17 year old me isn't fazed. So audience is not the best considered in the world.
Plot, mood, and atmosphere wise, this is not like the books Levine is known for, and a lot more like...historical fiction about people being oppressed by something. Oh, look. It is that. Her storytelling style is the same though, or at least you can still tell it's her. Will this be the enduring beloved favourite that Ella Enchanted is? No. But it's good historical fiction. (I don't say that because it's bad but because delightful fantasy romps are way more universally appealing and revisitable than historical fiction books. In my opinion. Also Ella Enchanted is one of my very most beloved books ever.)
P.S. I'm thinking about Levine's other recent releases like the ogre one and Ever, and honestly I was never even sold enough to make much of a dent in them. So if Levine wants to just swing into historical fiction for good, honestly I'd be here for it because I'm WAY more into this.
After reading the Author's Note, I might go try out Dave at Night now.
April 1, 2022
This book was so interesting! While I was aware of the Spanish Inquisition, I didn’t know anything about the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492. I loved the inside look into Jewish culture and their influence and hardships during this time. I feel like I came away and learned so much. I loved the main character and her growth as this book follows her for 9 years.
That said, even though I enjoyed this book a lot, the pacing was odd. I don’t mind a slower story at all, but this book was extremely slow for a middle grade in spots and then something would happen, then nothing would happen for 50 pages and on and on. I think it might not keep kids’ interests. I also felt like the book had a lot of more mature content for middle graders, especially in terms of the violence suffered by the Inquisitors torturing and an accusation made. I’d recommend this one for ages 12+, especially if your child is sensitive. Those kind of elements make it hard for me to know who the book was really written for it.
I’ve seen a lot of people say this book doesn’t have the magic of GCL’s other middle grade, but the books they mention are fairy tale retellings. This is historical fiction, so of course it would have a completely different feel. Based on the cover, I wondered if there would be any magical elements, but that wasn’t the case.
That said, even though I enjoyed this book a lot, the pacing was odd. I don’t mind a slower story at all, but this book was extremely slow for a middle grade in spots and then something would happen, then nothing would happen for 50 pages and on and on. I think it might not keep kids’ interests. I also felt like the book had a lot of more mature content for middle graders, especially in terms of the violence suffered by the Inquisitors torturing and an accusation made. I’d recommend this one for ages 12+, especially if your child is sensitive. Those kind of elements make it hard for me to know who the book was really written for it.
I’ve seen a lot of people say this book doesn’t have the magic of GCL’s other middle grade, but the books they mention are fairy tale retellings. This is historical fiction, so of course it would have a completely different feel. Based on the cover, I wondered if there would be any magical elements, but that wasn’t the case.
November 6, 2020
Paloma (Loma) is a young Jew living in Spain during the time of the Spanish Inquisition. She survives the plague, but her beloved grandmother does not. Now Loma, age seven, is chosen by her grandfather, Belo, to accompany him as he continues to help Jews with the influence he has on Spanish rulers, like King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella and high ranking clergy in the Catholic church. Even at a young age, Loma's great desire is to have children some day, but these travels with her grandfather don't factor into her getting betrothed anytime soon, but she knows she has a job to help other Jews leave Spain safely after the edict for all Jews to either convert to Catholicism or to leave Spain.
I enjoyed Loma's short encounter with Christopher Columbus in 1491 and with the monarchs who tried to get her to convert, although I was hoping Loma would leave Spain for the Americas. The foods of the Sephardic Jews were well researched. In fact, I own the cookbook the author mentions in her note. Marriage customs and husband wife relationships during this time period was interesting, especially the writs of divorce and marrying at such a young age. The Inquisition, with the Spanish conversos and their story to the new world has always fascinated me, so I appreciated the glimpse into their lives even before the edict was proclaimed that forced them to stay and convert or leave Spain. The travels through Spain in the story were a highlight for me, especially since I've traveled to many of the locations in the story setting.
I enjoyed Loma's short encounter with Christopher Columbus in 1491 and with the monarchs who tried to get her to convert, although I was hoping Loma would leave Spain for the Americas. The foods of the Sephardic Jews were well researched. In fact, I own the cookbook the author mentions in her note. Marriage customs and husband wife relationships during this time period was interesting, especially the writs of divorce and marrying at such a young age. The Inquisition, with the Spanish conversos and their story to the new world has always fascinated me, so I appreciated the glimpse into their lives even before the edict was proclaimed that forced them to stay and convert or leave Spain. The travels through Spain in the story were a highlight for me, especially since I've traveled to many of the locations in the story setting.
July 9, 2023
I very much enjoyed this book. More than I thought I would actually. Its very slow paced but the characters are so rich and the backdrop of the historical setting so well researched that i felt it didnt drag. I was invested in the slow build of tension rising between Spain and its Jewish population. But I was especially invested in Loma’s personal growth and journey. You follow her through almost 10 years of her life and get to watch as she grows. She is passionate and loving but not perfect. I also thought it was interesting to explore a female character who dreams of having a family of her own but is denied that dream. I feel like historical fiction often portrays women who are pressured into finding a husband but want to do something women aren’t typically found doing in that era. And while that’s interesting and important to explore, I think the other side of the coin is just as sad. Loma is denied a choice in her own story in so many ways and my heart broke for her, while in the same beat it admired her strength and love for her grandfather.
I appreciated that this story didnt shy away from a lot of the horrors of the time (in an age appropriate way), it doesn’t talk down to its reader. Over all this was just such a well done book and may have gotten me back into historical fiction.
I appreciated that this story didnt shy away from a lot of the horrors of the time (in an age appropriate way), it doesn’t talk down to its reader. Over all this was just such a well done book and may have gotten me back into historical fiction.
May 28, 2025
Spain is a difficult place for the Jews in the late 1400s, something Paloma learns very young when she's nearly abducted and forced to be baptized or face the inquisition. But through wit and a little extra wealth, she and her family are able to survive the tumultuous times despite Loma's occasional childish blunders. But Paloma isn't as dedicated to saving the Jews as her grandfather, and more than a little of her wishes to be settled with a husband and babies of her own.
This is a hard book to read in many ways. Cleverly written and full of historical and cultural moments, it follows about 10 years of Paloma's life and documents the stress of living in a country that might someday decide your people are of the devil. I can't say I loved the characters or plot, but I feel more educated now.
This is a hard book to read in many ways. Cleverly written and full of historical and cultural moments, it follows about 10 years of Paloma's life and documents the stress of living in a country that might someday decide your people are of the devil. I can't say I loved the characters or plot, but I feel more educated now.
November 14, 2020
I wanted to stop reading this book before I was even half way through, but I pushed on hoping it would get better. It never did. Loma is anxious and annoying. Her only redeeming quality is her love for the "littles." Most of her family is awful to her. Mama basically hates her children, Papa is a pushover, and Belo (grandfather) is verbally abusive and manipulative. Their travels are filled with bribes and deceit. How is this a book for kids? I tried really hard to keep an open mind, but I can't give it more than one star.
May 21, 2022
3.5
This was slow, but I enjoyed it. I had never read a book focusing on Jews except for WWII novels, so this was really interesting! I'm not exactly sure how I feel about it, but I liked it!
"This is my confession: I didn't want anything bad to happen to either of you, but when misfortune came, I rejoiced to be able to make it less terrible."
Hamdun was the best 😭
This was slow, but I enjoyed it. I had never read a book focusing on Jews except for WWII novels, so this was really interesting! I'm not exactly sure how I feel about it, but I liked it!
"This is my confession: I didn't want anything bad to happen to either of you, but when misfortune came, I rejoiced to be able to make it less terrible."
Hamdun was the best 😭
February 1, 2025
Such a good read!! Thanks again Kariana for giving it to me ❤️❤️
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