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Incantation (by Alice Hoffman)

common sense media says

Young teens may find powerful Inquisition book too violent.

parents & educators say
  • 40% say it's educational
See all 17 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book doesn't flinch from the excesses of the Inquisition era. It describes grisly, gruesome violence against men and women, young and old. But through this powerful story, teens learn about an important time in history and may be inspired to think about and discuss the cost of religious intolerance and hatred. Readers will appreciate Estrella's discovery of who she really is, her fight for survival, and her instructions that others not forget her story.

Educational value: Not only will teens learn about an important time in history, but reading this book will also likely lead to important discussion about religious intolerance and hatred.
Positive messages: Imparts important, timely lessons about the cost of prejudice and religious intolerance.
Positive role models: Complex, thought-provoking characters color this book. Readers will appreciate Estrella's discovery of who she really is, her fight for survival, and her instructions that others not forget her story.
Violence: Matter-of-fact descriptions of horrible brutality, including beatings, burning at the stake, and a variety of grisly tortures.
Sex: A few kisses.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Drinking wine.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Incantation

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the importance of historical fiction. How is reading a story like this different than reading a history textbook? Why is it important to read books like this? Can looking at history impact the present -- or shape the future?
  • This book describes some gruesome events. While historically accurate, it may be hard to read about them. What do you think of the violence level in this book? Is it different to read about violence than it is to see it in movies or experience it in video games? How so?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Estrella lives a comfortable life as a Catholic in Spain around 1500, the era of the Inquisition. She and her best friend, Catalina, are as close as can be, her brother is studying to be a priest, and her grandfather is a respected teacher. The anti-Jewish riots that sweep through her town barely touch her life at all. But then two events change everything. She discovers that her family are Marranos, Jews who pretend to be Christians while secretly holding on to their faith. And she falls in love with Catalina's cousin, Andres, which turns Catalina against her. In 1500s Spain, Catalina has an easy weapon for revenge, and she doesn't hesitate to use it. But even she is shocked by the life-destroying results.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

There are two kinds of parents: those who believe children should face the horrors of the world head-on, and those who believe children should be shielded from them. If you are the second type, you do not want your children to read this book. It is not long, and the reading level is accessible to 10-year-olds, but the author does not flinch from matter-of-factly depicting the hate-filled violence of which humans are capable.

As her family is rounded up by the Inquisition, Estrella witnesses torments that are almost be beyond belief. In our era of growing worldwide religious tension, this book reminds us of the extremes to which religious intolerance and hatred can so easily lead. But that doesn't make it any easier to read.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Alice Hoffman
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication date: October 1, 2006
Number of pages: 166
Hardcover price: $16.99
Read Aloud: 13
Read Alone: 13
This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13
Based on 5 parent & educator reviews:
  • 40% say it's educational
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

MegBook92
adult
12
 
Great book for teens of all ages
This book was sitting on a shelf in my high school library, and I felt compelled to pick it up. I've never really been one for historical fiction books, but this one sucked me in from the first pages. I ended up finishing it so quickly it was nearly a new record for me! This book makes you cry, and think about the humanity we humans possess, and whether or not we are willing to care about our heritage enough to protect it. Alice Hoffman is an amazing writer, and I find myself intrigued enough by this one book to look for others she might have written.
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helped me decide (12) | had useful details (12) | read my mind (9)
dipsystix
teen, 15 years old
 
I could not stop reading this book
This book is enchanting.It is a lovely piece of literature.Though the violence does get quite gruesome toward the end,I strongly reccomend it to kids about 12 and up.This book almost actually made me cry.(that's hard to do) It gives you a taste of history(not like in a history book,but the bitter truth)Alice Hoffman is a brilliant writer.I think common sense should put up more of her books.
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helped me decide (12) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (11)
gnat95
teen, 16 years old
 
A must read book for any 12 year old
this book is educational and inspiring. i cried and i laughed. this story tells you what people are really like when jelousy and anger comes in play so read this book because its amaizing!
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helped me decide (8) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (11)
Musicality
teen, 15 years old
13
 
READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I absolutley loved this book because while I was reading it, I learned a lot about the Jewish conversion in spain. It was also suspensful and romantic. READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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helped me decide (10) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (9)
asdfgbnml
parent of 14 year old
13
 
mother undresses in details
love it
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (15)
waterlily101
teen, 13 years old
12
 
Great
I loved this book...The romance was beautiful!Sure it was sad...but it shows the cruelty of world war 2.
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helped me decide (12) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (9)
cupcake199712
teen, 15 years old
12
 
Perfect for 12 and up.
I love it.MY favorite book.
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helped me decide (10) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (9)
caspter456
teen, 17 years old
 
it was sucha sad book! almost cried!
this book was awsome! i read it in about 2 hours and i loved it! the parts about when the people that are getting burned are a bit iffy, also that her freind betrays her...this book is deffinitly NOT for kids younger then 12-13!!!! but if you are that age and you want to read this book it is pretty darn good!
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helped me decide (10) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (7)
*Danie*
teen, 17 years old
 
Moving
This story had me on the edge. I was filled with tears at one point. But it's a must read book.
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helped me decide (11) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (8)
gothic_kiss09
adult
13
 
love
this book made me cry and wonder at the same time...I really think that if you haven't read this book you should you will love this book just like me or maybe even more
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helped me decide (9) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (8)
kyliemd1995
teen, 16 years old
13
 
Good but needed to be explained.
The book is good for all ages and it has some historical events in it
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helped me decide (10) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (7)
mooseh
adult
12
 
historical fiction
The role models in this book are very possitive and down to earth people that understand the world around them. They show a strong sence of morality and though there are descriptions of death, it's not bloody or gory really. Also this can be very educational for people who are learning about anti-semitism, it being about Spain in the 1500's(It's not about world war II, though it would also be helpful if you are learning about that.) and all. Also though the messages aren't possitive they aren't exactly negative either.
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helped me decide (8) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (5)
TraciRenner
adult
 
Excellent historical fiction
People are uncomfortable, still, with subjects of religious persecution. That is what makes this book important. It sheds light on a very regrettable time in Catholic/Christian history. Due to some of the violent content, I think it should be reserved for middle school and up. It is an important book.
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (10)
Cameryn
teen, 17 years old
13
 
Wonderful book
A perfect combination of tragedy, romance, betrayal, mystery and history. Though the details in brutality are a bit harsh, it shows us more of what humanity had once been like and how, if we let it, could return to. It describes almost perfectly the beauty of love as well as the ugliness of jealousy and intolerance. And yet, through all her hardships, our heroine still manages to stay positive.
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helped me decide (8) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (7)
ella2416
teen, 15 years old
13
 
very good for older kids
this book was very good but i wished there was a better ending 2 it
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (7)
lyss-lyss
teen, 17 years old
 
Sooooooooooooo Good!
This book was first reccomended to me by a woman in a book store. She said that someone had recomended it to her. Yes there is alot of volience in it, but it is telling the reader the history of that time. I usually read a book a week and this book only took me two days! the author tells the story soo well and I'll read this book over and over!
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (6)
rebecca morris
teen, 14 years old
11
 
Incantation rocks
Incantation gives a children a better understanding on the way Jews were treated.
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (5)

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