A Ceiling Made of Eggshells by Gail Carson Levine

When it happens to sweet, Disney princess–like Sophie and her friend Agatha, plain of features, sour of disposition and low of self-esteem, they are both horrified to discover that they’ve been dropped not where they expect but at Evil and at Good respectively. Those who survive to graduate become major or minor characters in fairy tales. Heart pounding and heart wrenching in equal measure.Ĭhainani works an elaborate sea change akin to Gregory Maguire’s Wicked (1995), though he leaves the waters muddied.Įvery four years, two children, one regarded as particularly nice and the other particularly nasty, are snatched from the village of Gavaldon by the shadowy School Master to attend the divided titular school. Loma tells all her fears and worries, how she finds solace in counting, her plans and dreams, and her deep love for her family as well as her hurt and anger as she faces grave dangers and loss. They face kidnapping, forced conversion, torture and execution at the hands of the Inquisition, and, finally, expulsion from Spain. Jews must always be wary, for bizarre accusations are made that incite mob violence against them. Levine seamlessly weaves historical facts with day-to-day life concerning food, clothing, prayers, rituals, superstitions, and the social orders both within the locked judería and without, among Christian and Moorish Spaniards. As she grows to maturity she is denied the opportunity to marry, though it is her dearest wish to have her own children. Loma becomes his constant companion and aide, traveling with him across Spain on his missions.

Her grandfather is an important figure in Spain’s Jewish community, using his wealth and political acumen to deal with the powerful Christians, including Ferdinand and Isabella, who rule the country, all in the service of keeping Jews from harm. Paloma is sensitive, inquisitive, and highly intelligent, attributes that will both cause her intense pain and keep her alive.

Life for Spain’s Jews in the late 15th century was as precarious as a ceiling made of eggshells, ready to crash at any moment.

A Ceiling Made of Eggshells by Gail Carson Levine