Safiyyah’s War

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As it did for all who lived under Nazi rule, life changed dramatically for Safiyyah during the Nazi occupation of Paris. One of the things that changed was Safiyyah’s access to books and the library. Both official and unofficial censorship—the suppression or prohibition of works that are considered unacceptable—occurred throughout the German occupation. In light of the Germans raiding libraries and burning books to control information and silence voices, Madame Odette explains to Safiyyah that she is sending away many books in the library for safekeeping.

Talk with students about why the Nazi regime wanted to suppress knowledge and opinions. Ask them to think about why books are important and all the things that books offer to readers and communities. Talk too about the efforts of librarians like Madame Odette to protect books, asking: Why did she pack up books to send to soldiers? What does she do to safeguard knowledge? How does she handle books by Jewish authors? Do you think that Madame Odette’s work in the library influenced her participation in the French Resistance? How?

Next, get kids thinking about librarians in your community. Why are they thankful for libraries and librarians? How do librarians inspire, share knowledge, build community, promote diverse perspectives, and protect freedoms? Have students brainstorm ideas for thanking librarians in their community for protecting their freedom to read and ways they can support their school and public libraries. Get them thinking beyond the thank you card—that’s a given!—and encourage advocacy for library support, celebrations of the essential role libraries and librarians play, and solidarity against book banning. Work with students to have them make their display of appreciation public with a bulletin board, letters to a local newspaper, school board, or mayor, or a presentation to your PTA/PTO/PTSA.

Questions for Discussion or Reflective Writing

1. Safiyyah loves exploring maps and wants to be an adventurer. What is Safiyyah’s inspiration for becoming an adventurer? Where does she want to travel? What role do maps play in Safiyyah’s life?
2. What is Safiyyah’s relationship with Setti like? What things does Safiyyah do that demonstrate how much her grandmother means to her? What is Safiyyah’s relationship with Baba like? How does Baba’s job affect their relationship?
3. Safiyyah’s War is a work of historical fiction. When reading, how did you decide what is historically true and what is fiction—the author’s interpretation of historical events and facts and how those events would affect and influence her characters? What knowledge or discovery did you take away from this book that you might not have found by reading a history book?
4. Before reading Safiyyah’s War, what did you know about World War II? What different aspects of the War did you discover? What did reading Safiyyah’s War make you curious to learn more about?
5. What risks do Safiyyah and her family take? Who else takes risks in the book? Why do you think they take these risks? Would you be willing to make the kind of effort that Safiyyah did and put yourself in danger to stand up for and help others? Why or why not?
6. What is the role of religion in this book? Why do you think that people of different faiths were able to connect with each other and to work together? What does Safiyyah’s religion mean to her?
7. What events in the story remind you of events taking place in our world today? Why does it remind you of it? How are they similar and different?

Related Resources

Chapter-by-chapter Teaching Resources for Safiyyah’s War from Andersen Press
Videos, activities, and reading resources pack for Safiyyah’s War from the Yoto Carnegies
Classroom Resources to Celebrate the Freedom to Read from NEA’s Read Across America
Kids’ Right to Read Action Kit from National Coalition Against Censorship