Safiyyah's War by Hiba Noor Khan

Safiyyah's War

Hiba Noor Khan

HarperCollins · Print & ebook · February 24, 2026

A Historical Fiction pick for readers exploring Safiyyah's War.

Buy on Amazon

We earn from qualifying purchases.

Who it’s for
A suspenseful story of resistance finds compassion and courage amid the dangers of occupied Paris.
Themes
Nazi occupation and resistance, Courage in the face of danger, Solidarity across religious differences
Pacing
Fast

About this book

Inspired by the true story of how the Grand Mosque of Paris saved the lives of hundreds of Jews during World War II, this breathtaking tale of suspense, compassion, and courage stars an extraordinary young heroine readers will never forget.

Continue reading

“A riveting read for children and adults alike.” —New York Times Book Review CARNEGIE MEDAL FINALIST KIRKUS PRIZE FINALIST JANE ADDAMS BOOK AWARD HONOR A BOOKPAGE BEST BOOK A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK BEST MUSLIM MIDDLE GRADE BOOK 2024 FOUR STARRED REVIEWS! Safiyyah loathes the brutal Nazi occupation of Paris, even though her Muslim identity keeps her safe—or, at least, safer than her Jewish neighbors. Violence lurks in the streets, her best friend has fled, and even her place of refuge—the library—has turned shadowy and confusing, as the invaders fear the power of books. Safiyyah longs to strike back and hates feeling powerless to help her Jewish friends. Worse yet, her father—who taught her to always fight injustice—is acting strangely and doing nothing to help them either. Or is he? Unraveling the mystery of her father’s odd behavior draws Safiyyah deep into the heart of the perilous underground resistance to the Nazis, where her bravery is put to the ultimate test. “A heartfelt story of the unsung, real-life Muslim heroes of the Resistance in World War II, whose courage and humanity transcended religious differences.” —Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee and Heroes

Courage Across Difference

A suspenseful story of resistance finds compassion and courage amid the dangers of occupied Paris.

Come here for

  • A young heroine confronting injustice and the ache of feeling powerless
  • A World War II story grounded in Muslim courage and humanity

Expect

  • Suspense shaped by a perilous underground resistance
  • A heartfelt reading experience rooted in a true story

Where it sits

Holocaust Stories71%
War & Military Stories39%
Muslim Children's Stories31%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Action & Adventure
  • Multigenerational Families
  • Historical Europe
  • Holocaust Stories
Show all 8 publisher categories
  • Wars & Military History
  • Stories Set in Europe
  • Stories Set in the Middle East
  • Muslim Children's Stories
Authors
Hiba Noor Khan
Publisher
HarperCollins
Published
February 24, 2026
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
Nazi occupation and resistance · Courage in the face of danger · Solidarity across religious differences
Reading lane
Action & Adventure