Safiyyah's War

Author:

Hiba Noor Khan

Illustrator:

N/A

Published by:

Andersen Press

First Published:

6 Jul 2023

Ideal for readers aged

9-12y

My Review

Hiba Noor Khan has an important voice in the children's literature world, telling the stories, too often untold, of Muslims in history. This is a gripping and wonderfully enlightening novel, based on real events in Paris under occupation by the Nazis during the Second World War. It's a story of acceptance across racial and religious divides, of beautiful characters, and of immense bravery. I loved it!

Heads Up!

Hiba Noor Khan has also now written a brilliant novel called 'The Line They Drew Through Us' about three friends divided by Partition in India - highly recommended!

Publisher Review

'Safiyyah's War has the soul of a classic & the urgency of a story for our times. A tale of tolerance, unthinkable bravery, and heart-in-mouth true events. I loved this book' - Kiran Millwood Hargrave 'All at once, Safiyyah's War broke my heart and filled me with immense hope. With its unforgettable characters and exquisite storytelling, this really is an extraordinary book' - A F Steadman 'Safiyyah is a protagonist I was rooting for all throughout; a lovely, kind-hearted girl whose story filled me in turns with despair and joy. This book shines through with kindness and empathy at its very heart' - Nizrana Farook 'Luminous prose . . . a riveting read for children and adults alike' - New York Times War comes to the streets of Paris and Safiyyah’s life changes for ever. Her best friend’s family have fled, and the bombing makes her afraid to leave the mosque where she lives. But when her father is arrested by the Nazis for his secret Resistance work, it falls to Safiyyah to run the dangerous errands around the city. It’s not long before hundreds of persecuted Jews seek sanctuary at the mosque. Can Safiyyah find the courage to enter the treacherous catacombs under Paris and lead the Jews to safety?