I'm going to guess that most people have never heard of the history that this story is based on. I hadn't! And I've read a lot of World War II stories. This lovely middle grade book tells the story of the Grand Mosque and its inhabitants during the German occupation of Paris during World War II and they work they did to help save Jewish lives from the Holocaust.

Safiyyah is everything you want from a middle grader heroine, she is tenacious and smart and loves so fiercely. Because so little is known about this piece of history, the characters are all amalgamations of figures that were definitely there and Safiyyah is the perfect set of eyes for the reader to inhabit to learn this story.

The tension is subtle, with the looming Germans more of an off page threat than a direct set of characters, so I would say this is a fairly safe read for most middle grade readers. I had never considered that there would have been Muslims in Paris during this conflict (though that seems obvious in hindsight), but they are given a beautiful portrayal in this story against the darkness of the German threat.

I'm so glad I read this, and I hope that this work prompt more stories about the power of people over the threats we face.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the advance Kindle copy of this 5.7.24 release. All opinions are my own.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Wow. Based on a true story, this follows Muslim Parisian Safiyyah and her family as their mosque hid and moved hundreds of Jewish people during WWII. Naturally curious and bold, Safiyyah notices as the Germans occupy Paris that her father is behaving oddly. She confronts him, and he starts allowing her to pass messages. But when a visit from Nazi soldiers threatens to put a large group of Jews ready to smuggle in danger, Safiyyah knows that it is her time to lead. Highly recommended for all middle school libraries.

This book was incredible! Some of my students are learning about WWII and wanted some books that cover the subject. This book will be perfect. Safiyyah was brave and so compassionate, along with the rest of the characters. I will be recommending this book to both adults and kids!

During the second world war, the Grand Mosque of Paris saved 1700 Jews. How did I, a Jew whose family was decimated by the war, never know about this? The answer presumably has its roots in secrets and later tensions, but what's important is that Hiba Noor Khan is telling it now, so that children can know. It's more important than ever that we all see that we are sister cultures, especially as the generation who lived during the war are almost all gone.

Khan's writing is strong, warm, and evocative, equally suited to a middle grade readership and adults; in fact, this is a particularly good classroom book. She never avoids the trauma Safiyyah and the others are going through, even acknowledging the plight of abandoned pets, but the book also never feels hopeless.

That's the greatest gift this novel offers: hope. As Leonard Cohen said, "there's a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." This book is about finding those cracks and helping to show their light to others.

May we all find peace.

Safiyyah is growing up in Paris during the Nazi occupation. Her entire life looks differently. Her friends have vanished. It is unsafe to walk to school. The library is no longer a safe haven. Safiyyah feels helpless.

She begins to notice odd patterns in her father's behavior. She learns that he and other mosque officials are part of the resistance, forging Muslim birth certificates for Jewish families and helping them leave Paris. Safiyyah joins the efforts, leaving messages and delivering documents.

What a read! Safiyyah is a lovely protagonist; she is brave and bold. The bravery and compassion of Muslims in Paris has been neglected to be shared, and this children's novel just begins to highlight such a powerful moment in history. Their efforts saved so many lives.

Thank you to Allida/HarperCollins for the opportunity to read this as an ARC!

Following Safiyahh through her experiences was equal parts harrowing and heartwarming. Her voice is unmistakably a child's, and at many times I had to remind myself that she was just a character to share this story. Her, her family, and her companions feel so REAL and their passion for each other, humanity, and their faith make this a fantastic read. As someone who grew up with Lois Lowry's Number the Stars as a favorite, this novel feels right in line with those that share the horrors of our history with children in a way that leads them back to the light.

This story is an incredible, relatively unknown piece of history from a time that is considered incredibly well researched. In many fields, the contributions of Islamic people are swept aside and it is imperative that stories like these are brought forward to show the world how important everyone is regardless if your faiths are different.

Hiba Noor Khan does a great job in writing this book, it had everything that I was hoping for from a historical children's fiction novel. It uses the World War 2 elements perfectly and I enjoyed how the setting added to the story. The characters were realistic and worked in this time-period. I enjoyed the overall story being told and glad I was able to read this.

What a beautiful book about caring for others during a terrible war. The author did great research to show how the Grand Mosque was used to help the Jews during this time.
Safiyyah is such a beautiful character, she has to say goodbye to so many people she loves, but she is still optimistic. I loved how much she loves maps and dreams of adventure. She ends up having her own sort of adventure right where she is while helping her family help the Jews.
The writing in this is really lyrical and beautiful and flows from one part to the next.
I loved the descriptions of the area and felt like I was there with these characters.
A great read for young and old.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

"Safiyyah's War" by Hiba Noor Khan is a modern classic, a beautifully crafted novel based on true events which are not widely known; During the Nazi occupation of Paris during WWII the Islamic community of the Grand Mosque worked secretly as part of the resistance to save the lives of hundreds of Jewish neighbors. The main character, Safiyyah, loves studying maps, spending time with her gradmother Setti, and helping her father who works at the Grand Mosque of Paris, where they also live. The book opens as the Nazis have arrived in France and are advancing toward Paris. Safiyya is forced to say goodbye to her best friend Isabelle. Her cousin joins the army, and more of her classmates are forced to drop out. Now that Isabelle has left Safiyya finds comfort in her friendship with an elderly botanist, Monsieur Cassin, a Jewish man who shares her love of books and learning. As the Nazis take over Paris, the Grand Mosque compound provides safety for Isabelle, her family, and the other Islamic residents. As Safiyyah's father becomes more withdrawn and secretive, she becomes determined to find out what he is hiding. She learns that her father, along with other mosque officials, is a part of the resistance. He is falsifying documents for Jewish residents as well as helping them escape the city. Safiyyah's knowledge of her family's actions puts her life in danger. Despite that she convinces her father to allow her to join his efforts, using her youth as a means to navigate the city and deliver messages without being caught. Safiyyah's role becomes increasingly more dangerous. She relies on the wisdom of her grandmother to give her hope and courage for a mission which she must take on when her father is unable to, a mission with life saving implications. "Safiyyah's War" is a gripping read, with twists and turns in the plot that caused me to read the whole thing in one sitting. Meticulously researched by the author, the book also highlights a powerful moment in history, a time where the worst of humanity was met by brave individuals whose faith led them to help those of a different faith. I finished "Saffiyah's War" on NetGalley a few weeks ago, but its story has not left my heart since. It comes with my highest recommendation.

This children’s novel is a great addition to the historical fiction genre. Specifically, Hiba Noor Khan shines a light on the Muslim perspective in Paris during World War II.

Khan’s book is inspired by the events of the Nazi occupation and how the Grand Mosque of Paris saved lives of hundreds of Jews at the time.

This book elicits feelings of terror and fear, as well as compassion and courage. Young people and adults will enjoy this novel.

Thank you #NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC!