Safiyyah’s War
on Goodreads (1,124)
What’s inside...
'Safiyyah's War' tells the gripping story of Safiyyah, a young girl living in Paris during World War II. As war ravages the city, her life is forever altered when her father is arrested by the Nazis for his involvement in the Resistance. As bombings intensify, Safiyyah's courage is tested when she is tasked with running dangerous errands and leading hundreds of persecuted Jews seeking sanctuary at the mosque to the safety of the catacombs beneath Paris. Inspired by true events, this novel captures an extraordinary tale of bravery, compassion, and the unyielding spirit of a remarkable young heroine.
Age
8-12
Length
336 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Safiyyah felt when she had to make tough decisions? How would you feel in her situation?
Safiyyah shows great courage throughout her journey. Can you think of a time when you had to be brave?
Why do you think teamwork was important in Safiyyah’s story? Have you ever worked with others to solve a problem?
What do you believe was Safiyyah's biggest challenge? How did she overcome it?
How do you think the story would change if it happened in your community?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use empathetic listening to understand your child's perspective and feelings about Safiyyah’s challenges and decisions.
Encourage your child to relate their personal experiences to Safiyyah's, building connections between their world and the story.
Discuss the concept of courage and resilience, emphasizing these themes as they appear in the book.
Highlight the importance of teamwork as showcased in the book, and relate it to everyday scenarios in your child’s life.
Ask open-ended questions that stimulate critical thinking and personal connection to the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in adversity
Explanation: Safiyyah, the protagonist, demonstrates bravery as she navigates challenges in a war-torn environment, making tough decisions to protect her family.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of facing difficult situations with bravery, which can be applied in overcoming personal challenges such as standing up against bullying or trying new activities.
Example Lesson: Empathy towards others
Explanation: Through Safiyyah’s interactions with diverse characters who are also affected by the war, readers see the importance of understanding and caring for others despite differences.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children grasp the importance of being considerate, fostering kindness and cooperation in school or in group activities.
Example Lesson: Resilience through hardships
Explanation: Safiyyah shows resilience as she continuously adapts to new, difficult circumstances while maintaining hope and a sense of purpose.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persevere through their own setbacks, whether it's recovering from a poor grade or dealing with changes such as moving to a new school.
Example Lesson: Importance of family and community
Explanation: The strong bonds between Safiyyah and her family members provide support and strength throughout the story, emphasizing the value of familial and community ties.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to appreciate and contribute to their own families and communities, understanding the role everyone plays in providing mutual support.