Staff Picks
Religious Diversity: Youth Titles That Highlight Islam
- Ashley S.
- Friday, April 07, 2023
Collection
Check out these youth titles that highlight Islam.
Once Upon an Eid
Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices
Published in 2020
"Once upon an Eid is a collection of short stories that showcases the most brilliant Muslim voices writing today, all about the most joyful holiday of the year: Eid! Eid: The short, single-syllable word conjures up a variety of feelings and memories for Muslims. Maybe it's waking up to the sound of frying samosas and simmering pistachio kheer, maybe it's the pleasure of putting on a new outfit for Eid prayers, or maybe it's the gift giving and holiday parties to come that day. Whatever it may be, for those who cherish this day of celebration, the emotional responses may be summed up in another short and sweet word: joy. The anthology will also include a poem, graphic-novel chapter, and spot illustrations"-- Provided by publisher.
Hollow Fires
Published in 2022
After discovering the body of fourteen-year-old Jawad Ali in Jackson Park, seventeen-year-old journalism student Safiya Mirza begins investigating his murder and ends up confronting white supremacy in her own high school.
The Quest for the Ring of Power
Published in 2022
Amira and Hamza have returned from Qaf, the magical Jinn world, as triumphant heroes--and life has been pleasantly quiet. Too quiet. Hamza is determined to have one last monumental, epic adventure before summer ends. But when sneaking off to explore an old, abandoned castle goes from life-changing adventure to potentially deadly, Amira and Hamza find themselves in the middle of another dangerous quest to save the worlds. One they didn't bargain for. The siblings are brought face to face with the evil dev, Ahriman, angry and out for revenge. And if Amira and Hamza thought Ifrit was bad, his dad Ahriman, the last in an ancient line of fire spirits, is far worse. Ahriman kidnaps Hamza and forces him to help locate the lost Ring of Power, an ancient and mysterious artifact that will allow him to rule the universe. Desperate to save her brother, Amira must outsmart perilous traps and confounding puzzles in a race against time to retrieve the artifact before Ahriman does or say goodbye to Hamza and their world forever.
Love from Mecca to Medina
Published in 2022
Adam and Zayneb embark on the Umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, in Saudi Arabia, but as one wedge after another drives them apart while they make their way through rites in the holy city, Adam and Zayneb start to wonder if their meeting was just an oddity after all.
Halal Hot Dogs
Published in 2021
Every Friday Musa's family takes turns picking out a Jummah treat which they use to try all different foods, but when it is Musa's turn he sticks to his favorite halal hot dogs to share.
Accused
My Story of Injustice
Published in 2021
"Launching a propulsive middle grade nonfiction series, a young woman shares her harrowing experience of being wrongly accused of terrorism. Adama Bah grew up in East Harlem after immigrating from Conakry, Guinea, and was deeply connected to her community and the people who lived there. But as a thirteen-year-old after the events of September 11, 2001, she began experiencing discrimination and dehumanization as prejudice toward Muslim people grew. Then, on March 24, 2005, FBI agents arrested Adama and her father. Falsely accused of being a potential suicide bomber, Adama spent weeks in a detention center being questioned under suspicion of terrorism. With sharp and engaging writing, Adama recounts the events surrounding her arrest and its impact on her life-the harassment, humiliation, and persecution she faced for crimes she didn't commit. Accused brings forward a crucial and unparalleled first-person perspective of American culture post-9/11 and the country's discrimination against Muslim Americans, and heralds the start of a new series of compelling narrative nonfiction by young people, for young people"-- Provided by publisher.
Salaam, with Love
Published in 2022
Dua struggles to find her place in her conservative family's household, but as she spends the month of Ramadan with her cousin in Queens, Dua finds herself learning more about her faith, relationships, and place in the world.
Fight Back
Published in 2022
Thirteen-year-old Aaliyah is inspired to stand up to a rise in Islamophobia after a terrorist attack at a concert, and searches for ways she and her friends can combat racism.
Home is Not a Country
Published in 2021
"Nima doesn't feel understood. By her mother, who grew up far away in a different land. By her suburban town, which makes her feel too much like an outsider to fit in and not enough like an outsider to feel like that she belongs somewhere else. At least she has her childhood friend Haitham, with whom she can let her guard down and be herself. Until she doesn't. As the ground is pulled out from under her, Nima must grapple with the phantom of a life not chosen, the name her parents didn't give her at birth: Yasmeen. But that other name, that other girl, might just be more real than Nima knows. And more hungry. And the life Nima has, the one she keeps wishing were someone else's...she might have to fight for it with a fierceness she never knew she had."-- Publisher's description.
Amira's Picture Day
Published in 2021
Amira is excited because tomorrow is Eid with special clothes, treats, gifts, and a morning party at her mosque; but then she realizes that she is going to miss class picture day at school, something she was also looking forward to--so Amira has to figure out a way to be in two places at once.
Golden Girl
Published in 2022
When her father is accused of a crime he didn't commit, seventh grader Aafiyah, a Pakastani American girl who has a habit of "borrowing" glittery things, decides to use her bad habit to reunite her family.
The Wonders We Seek
Thirty Incredible Muslims Who Helped Shape the World
Published in 2022
"In this biographical collection, with stunning portraits and illustrations by Saffa Khan, authors Saadia Faruqi and Aneesa Mumtaz highlight some of the talented Muslim physicians, musicians, athletes, poets, and more who helped make the world we know today"-- Provided by publisher
Yasmin the Detective
Published in 2022
Nani likes to sit outside and sew, but little things like her thimble keep disappearing. Yasmin turns detective and applies a science lesson to solve the mystery.
Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero
Published in 2021
"Yusuf is excited to start middle school in his small Texas town, but with the twentieth anniversary of the September 11 attacks coming up, suddenly it feels like the country's same anger and grief is all focused on his Muslim community"-- Provided by publisher.
Ahmed Aziz's Epic Year
Published in 2021
"A Indian American boy endures a family move from Hawaii to frigid Minnesota and, with the help of three life-changing books he reads in school, he learns to like reading, and ultimately, himself"-- Provided by publisher.
Queen of the Tiles
Published in 2022
Fifteen-year-old Najwa Bakri is forced to investigate the mysterious death of her best friend and Scrabble Queen, Trina, a year after the fact when her Instagram comes back to life with cryptic posts and messages.
The Secret Diary of Mona Hasan
Published in 2022
"The year is 1991. Mona Hasan is a young Muslim girl growing up in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. The first Gulf War has broken out close by, but it isn't what she expects -- "We didn't even get any days off school! Just my luck." However, the event sparks major change in her life, as her family moves from big-city Dubai in the UAE to small-town Darmouth on the east coast of Canada."--Book jacket flap
The Henna Wars
Published in 2020
Nishat doesn't want to lose her family, but she also doesn't want to hide who she is, and it only gets harder once a childhood friend walks back into her life. Flávia is beautiful and charismatic, and Nishat falls for her instantly. But when a school competition invites students to create their own businesses, both Flávia and Nishat decide to showcase their talent as henna artists. In a fight to prove who is the best, their lives become more tangled--but Nishat can't quite get rid of her crush, especially since Flávia seems to like her back. As the competition heats up, Nishat has a decision to make: stay in the closet for her family, or put aside her differences with Flávia and give their relationship a chance.
Amina's Song
Published in 2021
Feeling pulled between two cultures after a month with family in Pakistan, Amina shares her experiences with Wisconsin classmates through a class assignment and a songwriting project with new student Nico.-- Provided by Publisher.
One Sun and Countless Stars
A Muslim Book of Numbers
Published in 2022
In this counting book, a young boy introduces some of the basic principles of Islam.
Under My Hijab
Published in 2019
As a young girl observes that each of six women in her life wears her hijab and hair in a different way, she considers how to express her own style one day.
Zara Hossain is Here
Published in 2021
Enduring racism when her Pakistani family moves to Texas, 17-year-old Zara resolves to keep her head low while her family awaits green-card approval, before a bullying classmate vandalizes her home, leading to a crime that puts Zara’s entire future at risk.
The Loophole
Published in 2022
Sy, a seventeen-year-old gay Muslim boy, travels the world for a second chance at love after a possibly magical heiress grants him three wishes.-- Provided by Publisher.
An Emotion of Great Delight
Published in 2021
In the wake of 9/11, Shadi, a child of Muslim immigrants, tries to navigate her crumbling world of death, heartbreak, and bigotry in silence, until finally everything changes.
Epic Hero Flop
Published in 2022
"When Omar takes the blame for a few small things to keep his friends out of trouble, he feels great--until something big happens and everyone thinks Omar did it"-- Provided by publisher.
The Kindest Red
A Story of Hijab and Friendship
Published in 2023
Sisters Faizah and Asiyah learn how to spread kindness on school picture day.
Sadiq and the Fun Run
Published in 2020
Eight-year-old Sadiq wants to try out for the youth football team like his friends, but his parents feel he is too young, and instead suggest that he take up running and join the track club--Sadiq feels that running is wimpy, but the coach convinces him that running races can be fun as well.
A Mermaid Girl
Published in 2022
Wearing her burkini to the community pool for the first time, Heba stands out more than she likes, but she shows her friends that she can swim and play the same way they can, even though her swimsuit looks different.
Hannah and the Ramadan Gift
Published in 2021
"The debut picture book by author and human rights activist Qasim Rashid that celebrates good deeds during the month of Ramadan. It's the first day of Ramadan and Hannah wants to be a part of this important month every way she can. But if she's too young to fast, how can she observe Ramadan? By saving the world, Dada Jaan tells her. And so Hannah learns that by helping her friends and neighbors and by showing kindness and generosity, she can make the world a better place. The debut picture book by human rights activist and attorney Qasim Rashid tells a timely story full of warmth and heart about the observance of Ramadan and the power of good deeds"-- Provided by publisher.
It All Comes Back to You
Published in 2021
"After Kiran Noorani's mom died, Kiran vowed to keep her dad and sister, Amira, close ... But when Amira announces that she's dating someone, Kiran's world is turned upside down. Deen Malik is thrilled that his brother, Faisal, has found a great girlfriend ... When the families meet, Deen and Kiran find themselves face to face. Again. Three years ago ... Kiran and Deen dated in secret. Until Deen ghosted Kiran"-- Provided by publisher.
We're in This Together
A Young Readers Edition of We Are Not Here to Be Bystanders
Published in 2022
"An inspiring and empowering young readers edition of We Are Not Here to be Bystanders, the memoir by Women's March coorganizer and activist Linda Sarsour. In this middle grade edition of We Are Not Here to be Bystanders, Linda Sarsour shares the memories that shaped her into the activist she is today, and how these pivotal moments in her life led her to being an organizer in one of the largest single-day protests in US history. From the Brooklyn bodega her father owned to the streets of Washington, DC, Linda's story as a daughter of Palestinian immigrants is a moving portrayal of what it means to find your voice in your youth and use it for the good of others as an adult"-- Provided by publisher.
Zahra's Blessing
A Ramadan Story
Published in 2022
Zahra wishes for a sister, never dreaming that volunteering with her mother at a refugee shelter might make her wish come true.
Barakah Beats
Published in 2021
"It's Nimra Sharif's first time going to public school. Nimra's nervous, but as long as she has her best friend, Jenna, by her side, she figures she can take on just about anything. Unfortunately, middle school is hard. The teachers are mean, the schedule is confusing, and Jenna starts giving hijab-wearing Nimra the cold shoulder aorund the other kids. Desperate to fit in and save her friendship with Jenna, Nimra accepts an unlikely invitation to join Barakah Beats, a band mad up of popular eighth-grade boys. The only problem is, Nimra was taught that music isn't allowed in Islam, and she knows her parents would be disappointed in her. So she devises a plan: join the band just until she wins Jenna back, then quit before her parents find out. but Nimra's lies quickly start to unravel. And as she grows to care about her bandmates, Nimra has to decide whether to betray her new friends or herself"--Provided by publisher.
Abdul's Story
Published in 2022
Abdul loves telling stories but thinks his messy handwriting and spelling mistakes will keep him from becoming an author, until Mr. Muhammad visits and encourages him to persist.
In My Mosque
Published in 2021
A picture book featuring culturally rich artwork celebrates the joys, rituals, and traditions that are practiced in mosques throughout the world, and includes a glossary and information about many historical and significant mosques.
One Wish
Fatima Al-Fihri and the World's Oldest University
Published in 2022
The story of Fatima al-Fihri, a trailblazing woman who founded the oldest existing and continually operating university in the world.