A Ceiling Made of Eggshells

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 .