Children's book The Great Mosque of Paris

Children's book The Great Mosque of Paris

Beautifully illustrated and thoroughly researched, this compelling book tells the almost unknown story of how the courage, faith, and dedication to justice of French Muslims saved the lives of so many Jews.

During the Nazi occupation of Paris, no Jew was safe from arrest and deportation to a concentration camp. Few Parisians were willing to risk their own lives to help them. Nevertheless, many Jews found refuge in an unlikely place—the sprawling complex of the Great Mosque of Paris.

This structure was not only a place of worship but also a community center. It was an ideal temporary hiding place for escaped prisoners of war and Jews of all ages, including children.

The Great Mosque of Paris was written and illustrated by Karen Gray Ruelle and Deborah Durland DeSaix. The book includes a glossary and bibliography.

Press reviews:

“This is a fascinating, little-known piece of history.” —Booklist

“Full of small details and thought-provoking situations… This is a rarely mentioned piece of history, and it will broaden the picture of both humanitarian action during the Holocaust and interfaith relations.” —The Bulletin

"A must-read for today's multicultural curricula." — Kirkus Reviews