In 1492 people of the Jewish faith were leaving Spain by the thousands. Not even the Conversos, those who had converted to the Catholic faith, were safe. Inquisitors sought out heretics and encouraged
In 1492 people of the Jewish faith were leaving Spain by the thousands. Not even the Conversos, those who had converted to the Catholic faith, were safe. Inquisitors sought out heretics and encouraged informers to report anyone who might not be a "pure" Catholic. Those accused were then questioned and tortured. Many confessed to anything that would stop theirtorture. Those declared "guilty" could be burned at the stake.
In this atmosphere of uncertainty and terror, fourteen-year- old Maria finds herself alone and homeless. The Church assistsMaria by offering her the opportunity to work for the Delgados, a wealthy Converso family. But the church also asks something ofher in return . . .
Secrets in the House of Delgado confronts issues of faith and bigotry, while wrestling with questions of loyalty, betrayal,and the secrets that may lie in every human heart.
VOYA
"The story is well told with emotion and excitement. Maria learns many of life's rough realities, and the outcome is not determined until the final page . . . it puts a human face on a little-known episode in Jewish history for any reader."
The Jerusalem Post
"A well-written, easy-to-read historical novel. . . A wonderful present for any young reader from the age of 9 and up."
NAPRA
"While it's a fascinating lesson in history and religious prejudice, the book's real strength rests in its depiction of Maria's fluctuating and maturing emotions, leading to the understanding that no matter how terrible and irrevocable our mistakes, we must persist in finding a way to rectify them."
Ruminator Review
"Well-paced and thoughtfully written, Secrets in the House of Delgado is a haunting, sympathetic account of loyalty and injustice. Confronting the issues of religious freedom during the Inquisition, the timbre of Miklowitz's historically rich work transcends the parameters of location and date, paralleling the similar struggles and violations that are still so ubiquitous."
Kliatt
"This dramatization of the cruelty of the Inquisition makes a strong case that ‘what matters is a man's goodness, not the religious rituals he practices.' It's an affecting story in its own right, too, as Maria struggles with her relationship to the Delgado family and the teachings of the church. Readers will get a good sense of life in the era, of the contrast between rich and poor, bigotry and kindness."
Booklist
"Miklowitz does a fine job of making the Spanish Inquisition seem frighteningly real, and the story shows depth and dimension. . . . Use this in conjunction with history classes but recommend as a page-turner, too."
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Gloria D. Miklowitz (1927–2015) wrote more than 60 fiction and nonfiction books for children and young adults. Including many that won national and international awards, her books deal with such issues as nuclear war, racial injustice, steroid abuse, date violence, and militia involvement. Three of her novels were made into award-winning TV specials.
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