A Ceiling Made of Eggshells
Books | Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Europe
3.7
Gail Carson Levine
In A Ceiling Made of Eggshells, Newbery Honor-winning author Gail Carson Levine tells a moving and ambitious story set during the expulsion of Jews from Spain, 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.
AD
Buy now:
More Details:
Author
Gail Carson Levine
Pages
416
Publisher
HarperCollins
Published Date
2020-05-12
ISBN
0062878220 9780062878229
Community ReviewsSee all
"RTC"
Jillian Selwyn
"Gail Carson Levine, I am a <i>fan</i> 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. <br/><br/>Should this be categorized as middle grade? Ehhh. I understand <i>why</i> 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 <i>unique</i> 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 <i>this</i>). 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.<br/><br/>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.)<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>After reading the Author's Note, I might go try out Dave at Night now."
E
Emily