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Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan

Oct23

Powerful & Inspiring

Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan is a powerful, historical children’s novel for ages ten years and older. Whatever your age this book will inspire you as you marvel at the bravery of good hearts, and especially at the courage of the very young.

Safiyyah’s War has its’ roots in fact. It is set in Paris during the Nazi occupation of World War II. The Grand Mosque takes centre stage as a setting. This book tells the little-known story of how the Muslims of the mosque helped to rescue and evacuate many Jewish people during the war. It is an inspiring tale of bravery and resistance. Much courage was needed. “For whoever saves a single life, it is as if they have saved all of humanity.”

The central character is Safiyyah who is very young and very brave. She has a desire to help the persecuted. She wanted to show her resistance. “Everyone has a unique part to play.” In some ways, the very young were the invisible helpers of the resistance. Their youth enabled them to blend in more. Everyone did what they could. Safiyyah always “chose courage and wisdom.”

As her best friend leaves Paris, we see hearts torn apart. “This isn’t goodbye… It’s see you later.” Anything more would feel too final. They had to believe that they would see each other again.

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My Brother’s Secret by Dan Smith

May18

From Brainwashing To Eyes Wide Open

My Brother’s Secret by Dan Smith was a powerful, heartbreaking children’s novel that totally consumed me. It is perfect for ages twelve years and over. Whatever your age, this is a great read.

The novel is set in 1941 in Nazi Germany. We meet twelve year old Karl and his brother Stefan who is four years older. Karl is a member of the Hitler youth group. He wears his uniform proudly, blindly believing everything he is told – until one day that changes everything and Karl begins to have doubts – a dangerous mindset at the time. Karl begins to question everything including his beloved Fuhrer.

Stefan is the opposite to Karl. He hates the Fuhrer and everything he stands for. Stefan does what he can to disrupt the Nazis. He is brave, and seemingly reckless at times. He loves Germany but hates the people running it and those who follow blindly.

Even as a member of the Hitler youth group, Karl has a conscience and empathy but is too afraid to follow it. “No one could help him. We were all too afraid.” Karl watches acts of cruelty but stays silent. His lack of actions keep him awake at night.

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To The Western Front With Love by Verity Slaughter-Penney

Oct4

All The Same

To The Western Front With Love by Verity Slaughter-Penney is a powerful YA novel showing the futility of war.

The novel takes place in the years immediately preceding World War I and also from the outbreak of war to December 1914.

We see the build up and the early months from both the British and the German sides as we follow three young men – two British and one Bavarian. Both sides in war have parallel lives – young men brought up in the countryside with a love of animals and no desire to fight. They are medics, believing in saving lives not ending them.

The plotline is cleverly constructed as the reader is committed to the lives and welfare of all three young men. They all have families who love their sons and do not want to lose them.

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Voice In The Storm by Eric Thomas Ruthford

Sep28

Lessons For Us All

Voice In The Storm by Eric Thomas Ruthford is a marvellous contemporary Christian YA novel that has lessons for us all to learn, no matter how old we are.

The book follows a group of teens at summer camp and in their daily lives. They are all thirteen/fourteen years old and on the cusp of adulthood. The book is split into five parts as we follow four teens and see the action from the various points of view.

We witness their troubles, their highs and lows as they attempt to be good Orthodox Christians in the world.

There is the isolation of a character who has started a new school. Being incredibly clever at science fails to win any popularity contests, especially as she seems to be more knowledgeable than her science teacher who fails to stop the bullying. This further isolates her.

There are also the heart-breaking themes of PTSD and subsequently substance and alcohol abuse. A child of thirteen is forced to become the adult. “I kept asking God to tell me how to fix Dad.” We cannot fix anyone. Our job is to pray, and leave the fixing to God. “I was responsible for praying… I wasn’t responsible for coming up with a way to fix it.”

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