Andersen Press are proud to announce their collaboration with charity War Child on a special edition of Hiba Noor Khan’s multi-award-winning novel Safiyyah’s War, which will be sold exclusively in Waterstones shops and online from July.
£1 from every edition of the book will be donated to War Child by Andersen Press, supporting War Child’s work delivering specialist psychological support, shelter, education, protection, and more to children caught in conflict around the world.
Safiyyah’s War is Hiba Noor Khan’s children’s fiction debut and has received enormous success since it was first published in July 2023, winning the Indie Book Award, Week Junior Book Award, Jhalak Children’s & YA Prize, Diverse Book Award’s Reader’s Choice Award and has been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Writing, Branford Boase Award, UKLA Book Award and many more!
The book is inspired by the true story of the Grand Mosque of Paris during World War II. War comes to the streets of Paris and Safiyyah’s life changes for ever. Her best friend’s family have fled, and the bombing makes her afraid to leave the mosque where she lives. But when her father is arrested by the Nazis for his secret Resistance work, it falls to Safiyyah to run the dangerous errands around the city. It’s not long before hundreds of persecuted Jews seek sanctuary at the mosque. Can Safiyyah find the courage to enter the treacherous catacombs under Paris and lead the Jews to safety?
This is the first Special Edition of the book produced and comes just after the publication of Hiba’s book on the Partition of India, The Line They Drew Through Us. Andersen Press’s collaboration with War Child and Waterstones comes after the special edition of When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle in 2024.
Speaking on the Special Edition, Hiba Noor Khan has said, ‘When I heard about this special edition collaboration between Waterstones and War Child, my heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect pairing as an ode to Safiyyah and everyone she symbolises. Knowing that money from the purchase of every copy will be donated to children impacted by war is no doubt one of the most meaningful moments of my literary career to date, and I am endlessly grateful.’
Yvette Leavy, Philanthropy and Partner Engagement Director at War Child UK, said; ‘We’re deeply grateful to Hiba Noor Khan and Andersen Press for their incredible generosity. Safiyyah’s War is a powerful and beautifully written novel, and we’re honoured to be part of this inspiring collaboration. Hiba’s creativity is not only captivating but a force for good, helping to raise vital funds to support children affected by conflict. At a time when our work is needed more than ever, every copy sold will directly help us provide specialist mental health support, shelter, education, essential care, and more to some of the world’s most vulnerable children. This partnership embodies how stories can change lives.’
Waterstones Children’s Buyer, Nick Campbell said: ‘We are extremely proud to support this special edition of Hiba Noor Khan’s award-winning novel. It is fitting that the story of a young girl’s courage, told compellingly for children, should provide support for children affected by conflict.’
Safiyyah’s War Special Edition by Hiba Noor Khan is released in July, available exclusively at Waterstones shops and online. £7.99 Paperback.
