Review: Safiyyah's War by Hiba Noor Khan*

  *I received a copy of this book in eBook format via NetGalley in return for this review. All reviews published on Yours, Chloe are completely honest and my own, and are in now way influenced by the gifting opportunity.

Title: Safiyyah's War
Author: Hiba Noor Khan
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction

Trigger warnings:  War, Antisemitism, 

Rating: ★★★★★

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?

Safiyyah’s War is a beautiful and touching story of resistance, bravery, family and community from author Hiba Noor Khan.

Prior to reading Safiyyah’s War, I was not aware of the heroic actions of the Muslim community of Paris during the Nazi occupation in supporting resistance work and protecting Jews from persecution. It’s an area of history which is nowhere near talked about enough as it should be so it’s fantastic to see their actions memorialised in a book.

Hiba Noor Khan is a truly gifted writer and a standout author within middle grade/children’s fiction.  Her magical story telling ability has crafted a gripping a well-paced narrative which will engage both young and adult readers alike and the vivid descriptive language truly made 1940s Paris come alive on the page.

Safiyyah is a beautifully written character with such depth to her character despite her young age. She was an authentically written young character whose bravery will inspire generations of young people.

This middle grade book needs to be in every school library and added into every World War Two history curriculum. Although it’s a middle grade story it’s also a must a read book for adult readers who will equally take so much from the story. It is a moving story which will stay with readers for a long time.