Incantation by Alice Hoffman
Set during the Spanish Inquisition, the main character, Estrella, discovers that she and her family have a secret that if revealed to others will place her family in grave danger. She and her best friend Catalina, have always believed that they will remain friends forever, but when Estrella falls in love with the boy that Catalina plans to marry, their friendship falters. Catalina seeks revenge and finds a perfect way to do this. The town begins a campaign against Jews, burning all of the books owned by Jews, and listing ten ways to determine if your neighbor is a Jew. "Turn one in, and you share all he owns, halved with the court." As Estrella reads the list, she realizes her family's secret. At first this story seems to be about jealousy and betrayal, but a closer look shows a deeper story of fear, discrimination and human nature. Very intense.
~Mrs. Brownell
Set during the Spanish Inquisition, the main character, Estrella, discovers that she and her family have a secret that if revealed to others will place her family in grave danger. She and her best friend Catalina, have always believed that they will remain friends forever, but when Estrella falls in love with the boy that Catalina plans to marry, their friendship falters. Catalina seeks revenge and finds a perfect way to do this. The town begins a campaign against Jews, burning all of the books owned by Jews, and listing ten ways to determine if your neighbor is a Jew. "Turn one in, and you share all he owns, halved with the court." As Estrella reads the list, she realizes her family's secret. At first this story seems to be about jealousy and betrayal, but a closer look shows a deeper story of fear, discrimination and human nature. Very intense.
~Mrs. Brownell
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