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kelligan's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Death
squirrel242759's review against another edition
3.0
I was recommended this book by a friend, they had read all the Carnegie books for 2024 and said this was one of their favourites for this year. Other people also thought this was one of the best for 2024 but unfortunately I didn't really enjoy it.
At the start, I was quite interested in the story but as I got further into the story there was just so many things going on at once. Since so many things happen, I would forget about characters often, for example Isabelle who was introduced as Safiyah's best friend at the start of the book. After the start, Isabelle wasn't really mentioned too much and for the second half of the book, I feel like she's forgotten.
I also didn't like the pacing. I found it hard to grasp how much time had pasted in the book. It would say about the change in weather but I still couldn't understand how long had gone by.
According to the Carnegie website, Safiyah's War is for ages 9+. For people around that age, I do think it is a good book to teach them about WW2.
You can tell that the author has put a lot of effort into making sure the book is historically accurate. If you do read this book, definitely read the Historical Note at the back of the book where the author talks about their research. The Historical Note also mentions a book called 'The Grand Mosque of Paris' which I'm going to see if I can get a copy of.
At the start, I was quite interested in the story but as I got further into the story there was just so many things going on at once. Since so many things happen, I would forget about characters often, for example Isabelle who was introduced as Safiyah's best friend at the start of the book. After the start, Isabelle wasn't really mentioned too much and for the second half of the book, I feel like she's forgotten.
I also didn't like the pacing. I found it hard to grasp how much time had pasted in the book. It would say about the change in weather but I still couldn't understand how long had gone by.
According to the Carnegie website, Safiyah's War is for ages 9+. For people around that age, I do think it is a good book to teach them about WW2.
You can tell that the author has put a lot of effort into making sure the book is historically accurate. If you do read this book, definitely read the Historical Note at the back of the book where the author talks about their research. The Historical Note also mentions a book called 'The Grand Mosque of Paris' which I'm going to see if I can get a copy of.
disabledbookdragon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
strutty27's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
scoutabout's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
daisyforster's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ammanarie's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
_nem_'s review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Violence, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, War, Classism, and Deportation
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
leahjanespeare's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful historical middle grade novel about the Grand Mosque of Paris residents' vital role in helping Jews to escape the city when the Nazi's arrived. A notable but absent part of Holocaust stories until now, and I loved seeing the cooperation and love between the Muslim and Jewish communities during this dark time. Safiyyah is a determined little girl that wants to help anyone in need and her bravery is something to strive for no matter the time period.
catherine_mack's review against another edition
3.0
We often hear of the French Resistance and the Dutch Resistance, but this story gives a new perspective of those occupation years. The help provided by the Grand Mosque of Paris, the Muslim community and our young (fictional) heroine is fresh, courageous and nail-biting and will be a welcome addition to the WWII stories that have been so popular at school of late.
I think this book also offers an important message of cooperation and respect between Muslim and Jewish people during times of hardship and conflict in the face of the current Israeli/Middle East events.
Thanks to Ruth at LMERC for the recommendation.
I think this book also offers an important message of cooperation and respect between Muslim and Jewish people during times of hardship and conflict in the face of the current Israeli/Middle East events.
Thanks to Ruth at LMERC for the recommendation.