Safiyyah’s War

Gr 5 Up–During World War II, upwards of 1,000 Jews in France were hidden and ultimately escorted out of Paris through the catacombs under the Grand Mosque of Paris. This resistance movement, led by the mosque’s spiritual leader at that time, has largely gone untold. Inspired by this historical resistance in France, Khan has crafted an intricate story from the perspective of a young Algerian French Muslim girl named Safiyyah. Safiyyah lives in France and attends school with a diverse group of children. The novel begins with the Nazi invasion of France. As she is forced to say goodbye to her best friend whose family flees south and her cousin who joins the army against the Nazis, Safiyyah watches her world change and her sense of stability diminish. In the midst of all these changes, she finds her father withdrawn and distant. When Safiyyah finds herself in a situation where she must help her Jewish neighbor, she begins to realize the secrets her father has been keeping and joins him in his efforts to save innocent lives. Khan’s lyrical and detailed prose immerses readers in Safiyyah’s world. The suspense and action will keep young readers eager to know what happens to Safiyyah and her friends. Khan includes a glossary that helps readers understand unfamiliar words. Also included at the end of the book is a historical note detailing the true accounts of the Grand Mosque of Paris.