A Ceiling Made of Eggshells by Gail Carson Levine (review)

Levine (Ogre Enchanted, BCCB 10/18) departs fairy tales for fifteenth-century Spain and the experiences of the Sephardic Jewish people leading up to their expulsion from Spain in 1492. Our window on the past is Loma (short for Paloma), a young Jewish girl, who begins to accompany her formidable abuelo, Belo, on his travels throughout Spain. Belo’s mission is to promote and protect the interests of the Jews, which often involves bribery and intricate political maneuvering, especially as antisemitism grows and the Inquisition rises to prominence. Levine offers rich cultural detail alongside scrutiny of a fraught historical moment, particularly of a monarchy whose professed affection for its Jewish subjects becomes increasingly conditional on their ability to raise funds for wars against Muslims and their willingness to convert to Catholicism. Officially sanctioned cruelty and intolerance are balanced by individual examples of interfaith generosity and steadfast kindness. Loma is a girl very much of her time and place in valuing family and faith above all, and her honest voice, transparent frustrations, and growing agency make for a satisfying character arc against a dark yet intriguing slice of history. End matter includes an author’s note that provides additional historical and personal context and a glossary.