Product Description
This is a chilling story of friendship, first love and family secrets. Estrella lives in Spain, next door to her best friend Catalina. They used to be inseparable, but then Andres, Catalina's cousin and the boy she's planning to marry, starts to gaze at Estrella instead. And Catalina starts to plot...Estrella's family have always done things slightly differently. Lighting candles on a Friday, for example. But these tiny things that Estrella has done all her life suddenly add up to something huge. She discovers that she and her family are Marranos - Spanish Jews living double lives as Catholics. And soon the outside world starts to intrude on her life - the world of the Spanish Inquisition, of neighbours accusing each other, of looting and riots. It is a world where new love burns and where friendship ends in flame and ash.

Taking this, among a few other books, along to the BC meet at Salcey Forest on Saturday 28th April at 2pm. if not taken by another bookcrosser it will end up on the book shelf in the café :-)

Picked up at the meet, I've read lots of Alice Hoffman but I don't think I've read this one.

Quality writing and very easy reading. Teen writing by a a top writer. Jewish persecution in 15th century Spain may not be an obvious subject but Alice Hoffman weaves a beautiful story of family and friendship.
KORKY'S DAD

Based on the persecution of Jews in Spain during the period of the Inquisition. Written from the viewpoint of a young girl caught up in the terror. Well written.
KORKY'S MUM

Interesting, quick teen read, presumably based on true events.

Left at La Veranda.