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Grand Mosque of Paris: A Story of How Muslims Rescued Jews During the Holocaust, The

Publication Information

Author: Ruelle, Karen Gray

Illustrator: DeSaix, Deborah Durland

Title: Grand Mosque of Paris: A Story of How Muslims Rescued Jews During the Holocaust, The

Date: 2009

Publisher: Holiday House, Inc.

City: New York

ISBN, paperback: 978-0-8234-2159-6

ISBN, hardback:

Recommended audience:

ABE/ABLE: Yes

ESOL: Yes

Family:

Young Adult:

Picture: Yes

General Information:

Book Type(s): historical fiction, nonfiction

HSE Descriptor(s): social studies

Summary:

Although the authors found little documentary evidence to substantiate the oral stories of how Jews were sheltered in the Grand Mosque and given Arab identity cards during the Nazi occupation of Paris in WW II, they tell an important story with excellent resource materials.

Teaching Ideas:

Using the Afterword and resource materials, discuss/write about how a writer verifies the facts of a story. Students might apply these to a current event. Do you think the story could take place today? Why or why not? Because real stories of Islamic valor and heroism can counteract racism and bigotry, look for other stories of Islamic heroes in the news and books. Pair this book with The Cats of Krasinski Square, Let the Celebration Begin and Number the Stars- books about the rescue of Jews during WWII.

Teaching Strategies: