The Cross by Day, Mezuzzah by Night

by Deborah Spector Siegel

Seville 1492: A cruel edict has been passed for the expulsion of all the Jewish people form Spain. Isabel Caruso de Carvallo, a Catholic girl of wealth and privilege is expecting a special 13th birthday but instead receives the shocking news that she is in fact a secret Jew.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult

213 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1999

Reviews

[Donna RB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant young adult book telling our history

[Tiffany Rex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really easy read about an interesting period in history of which I knew little about.

[Kellyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This realistic, historically accurate story describes the persecution and expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492. Isabel Caruso de Carvallo discovers that she and her family are not the orthodox Catholics she believes they are, but Marranos, Jews who practice their religion in secret and under constant fear of discovery.

This little-discussed time period deserves more attention and this story conveys the tragedy and horror of persecution and religious prejudice.

Not for the squeamish!

[Doina Darii · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is very helpful in giving us accurate information on the jewish lives in spain during the time of queen isabel. The book gave me "the chills" i could picture all of the scenes that were written so vivdly.. it taught me plenty of stuff that i didn't know before hand. i recommend it to those who find the Jewish history interesting and to jews themselves.

[Lisa Pfeffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book, I've learned some new historical facts.

[Jimmacc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and disturbing. Very we'll told

[Nancy Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this is an older child's book, it is full of good info for adults regarding the life of a converso in Medieval Spain. I met the author on a few occasions, & she was very passionate about the subject.