A Ceiling Made of Eggshells — Content Guide for Parents
Found in this book
- ViolenceSupporting
- Scary contentSupporting
- ReligionCentralJewish, Christian
- Race & cultureCentral
- Gender rolesSupportingTraditional roles, Challenges traditional roles
Not found
- Climate
- Sexual content
- Gender & orientation
Couldn't confirm
- Profanity
- Profanity: None of the sources say anything about the book's language.
Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Summaries and source quotes for every theme.
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Religion
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is A Ceiling Made of Eggshells appropriate for a 7-year-old?
Jewish characters face mob violence, kidnapping, torture and execution by the Inquisition, and the final chapters are full of danger. Loma is often frightened, and the story includes mob threats, the Inquisition and a fast-paced, dangerous final section.
Does A Ceiling Made of Eggshells have violence?
Found (Supporting): Jewish characters face mob violence, kidnapping, torture and execution by the Inquisition, and the final chapters are full of danger.
Does A Ceiling Made of Eggshells have scary content?
Found (Supporting): Loma is often frightened, and the story includes mob threats, the Inquisition and a fast-paced, dangerous final section.
Does A Ceiling Made of Eggshells have religion?
Found (Central, Jewish, Christian): The story follows a Jewish family in late 15th-century Spain, showing Jewish prayers and rituals, and pressure to convert to Christianity.
Does A Ceiling Made of Eggshells have race & culture?
Found (Central): The story is built around anti-Jewish prejudice, persecution and the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492.
Does A Ceiling Made of Eggshells have profanity?
Couldn't confirm: None of the sources say anything about the book's language.
Does A Ceiling Made of Eggshells have climate?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does A Ceiling Made of Eggshells have sexual content?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does A Ceiling Made of Eggshells have gender roles?
Found (Supporting, Traditional roles, Challenges traditional roles): Loma longs to marry and be a mother while her grandfather keeps her as his travelling helper, an unusual role for a girl of her time.
Does A Ceiling Made of Eggshells have gender & orientation?
Not found in the sources we checked.
