Reviews

Safiyyah's War by Hiba Noor Khan

bmccabe088's review against another edition

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I got really nervous that the cat would die, and I'm not in the headspace to handle that. Otherwise, what I read, it was a beautiful book.

julian7's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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

5.0

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dreamsinfiction's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional informative inspiring lighthearted 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

4.5

I really liked this! Even though we follow a child character who is understandably (but frustratingly) naive at times (who sees the entrance of an underground tunnel and their first thought is to explore it?? By yourself??), it tells an untold tale of how the Grand Mosque of Paris played a crucial role in helping Jews escape from the city during the Nazi invasion. 

A very warm family living in the mosque. I also like how they naturally weave in aspects of Muslim life/Islamic history throughout the book. 

leah25loveslife's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad 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

4.5

semiconservative's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-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

3.75

ahmc1819's review against another edition

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5.0

Slow burning, character driven and written with such empathy, Hiba Noor Khan’s debut middle gravel novel lingers powerfully in the mind long after you finish the final chapters of the book.

Set at the outbreak of WW2, in the bustling suburbs of Paris, Safiyyah lives with her family in the Grand Mosque. She’s a girl who loves to visit the library and lose herself in the maps of the world and skip mathematics classes when she can, but the invasion of Germany shatters her childhood. Her best friend Isabelle flees the city, her cousin Tarek, just sixteen years old, signs up to fight, her classroom has few children or teachers still around, but Safiyyah’s family choose to remain. Her father, Baba, who is in charge of the mosque, says simply, ‘this is our home.’

Hiba Noor Khan explores the little known real history of how the Grand Mosque, comes to be not only Safiyyah’s sanctuary but also the saviour of Jewish families. Taking part in the Resistance operation, risking their own lives and freedom, Safiyyah and her family show the true face of compassion and humanity by helping Jews to escape with false documents and a secret way out of the city.

There are so many stand out moments of both hope and heartbreak. Safiyyah’s relationship with Monsieur Cassin, an elderly botanist and a friend of her father, is particularly poignant. Despite their difference in age and religion, both treat each other with the utmost respect. Their interactions show that the barriers can always be overcome when we come from a place of compassion and humanity. And it’s these two words which are the guiding light of how Safiyyah chooses to live her life.

lhlew's review

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3.0

I didn't really enjoy this book, but I felt obliged to finish it, because the topic and perspective is so important. I'd trust the reviews of YA readers, more than my review or the reviews of adults.

zeeezy's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

Love the cover design elements reflecting the characters and events of the book: the cat Bon Bon, the main character Saffiyah and her friend, the doors to the Grand Mosque, the landmarks of Paris, the warplanes in the sky and even the oranges by the author's name. A good story for Muslims and non-Muslims alike, and I learnt a lot about this historical moment of Muslims helping Jews. Much needed in these times.

bookwormandtheatremouse's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional informative reflective sad 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

4.0

ayelethashachar's review against another edition

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hopeful
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This book, and the true story behind it, gives me hope for humanity.