Behind My Doors: The Story of the World’s Oldest Library
by Hena Khan; Illustrated by Nabila Adani
Lee & Low Books 
Come learn about the oldest operating library in existence, which was originally founded by a Muslim woman in 859!
Come learn about the oldest operating library in existence, which was originally founded by a Muslim woman in 859!
Merhaba! Welcome! Meet Al-Qarawiyyin Library–the oldest library in the world. Do you want to see what magical treasures are behind its doors? You’ll find special reading rooms where young and old gathered to discuss, debate, and discover the world. And, most important, the collection of books that hold knowledge more valuable than any jewels! Open its doors, unlock its story, and discover an adventure that only a library can share.
Told from the unique perspective of the library, award-winning author Hena Khan, along with luminous illustrations by Nabila Adani, bring to readers Behind My Doors, a charming ode to the magical wonders of each and every library.
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
We Are Big Time
by Hena Khan; illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui
Knopf/Penguin Random House
Cover image and summary via Penguin Random House
The Door Is Open Stories of Celebration and Community by 11 Desi Voices
Edited by Hena Khan
Discover stories of fear, triumph, and spectacular celebration in this warm-hearted novel of interconnected stories that celebrates the diversity of South Asian American experiences in a local community center.
Discover stories of fear, triumph, and spectacular celebration in the fictional town of Maple Grove, New Jersey, where the local kids gather at the community center to discover new crushes, fight against ignorance, and even save a life. Cheer for Chaya as she wins chess tournaments (unlike Andrew, she knows stupid sugary soda won’t make you better at chess), and follow as Jeevan learns how to cook traditional food (it turns out he can cook sabji– he just can’t eat it).
These stories, edited by bestselling and award-winning Pakistani-American author Hena Khan, are filled with humor, warmth, and possibility. They showcase a diverse array of talented authors with heritage from the Indian subcontinent, including beloved favorites and rising stars, who each highlight the beauty and necessity of a community center that everyone calls home.
Stories by: Veera Hiranandani, Supriya Kelkar, Maulik Pancholy, Simran Jeet Singh, Aisha Saeed, Reem Faruqi, Rajani LaRocca, Naheed Hasnat, Sayantani DasGupta, and Mitali Perkins
Cover image and summary via Hachette
Zain’s Super Friday
by Hena Khan; illustrated by Nez Riaz
Lee & Low
Join Zain and his dad on a special visit to their local mosque to attend jumu’ah prayers in this heartwarming picture book from the author of Under My Hijab.
Early Friday morning, Zain leaps out of bed ready to save the world from alien invaders! But his dad has other plans for Zain on this special day of the week. Dad takes Zain to the mosque and guides him through his first jumu’ah prayers. But Zain’s quest for a superhero adventure leads to supersize distractions. Can Zain rein in his powerful impulses and appreciate this special experience with his dad and community?
With spirited text by award-winning author Hena Khan and dynamic illustrations by artist Nez Riaz, Zain’s Super Friday is a celebration of Muslim traditions, imagination, and the joy of community.
Cover image and summary via Lee & Low
Zara’s Rules for Finding Hidden Treasure
by Hena Khan, illustrated by Wastana Haikal
Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster
From the beloved author of Amina’s Voice comes the second book in the delightful Zara’s Rules middle grade series following Zara as she starts her own business!
Zara lives for bike rides with her friends—so when her shiny, brand-new bike goes missing from the park one day, she’s crushed. After her parents insist she earn the money for another one herself, Zara’s determined to start a business. But what kind? A lemonade stand? Not profitable enough. Selling painted rocks? Not enough customers.
Zara’s starting to get discouraged when she and her friend Naomi finally come up with the perfect idea: The Treasure Wagon, a roving garage sale that unloads knickknacks from the Saleem family basement and makes money all at once! But when a mix-up gets Zara in hot water again, will she have to give up everything she’s earned toward her new bike?
Summary and cover image via Edelweiss
Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun by Hena Khan
Illustrated by Wastana Haikal
Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
From the beloved author of Amina’s Voice comes the first book in a humor-filled middle grade series starring a young Muslim girl with an endless list of hobbies who searches for ways to maximize fun for her family and neighborhood friends.
Meet Zara Saleem, the queen of the neighborhood.
Zara’s in charge of it all: she organizes the games, picks the teams, and makes sure everyone has a good time…and they always do.
When a new family moves in across the street, suddenly Zara’s reign is threatened by Naomi, who has big ideas of her own about how the neighborhood kids can have fun. To get everyone to notice her again, Zara decides she’s going to break a Guinness World Record—if her little brother Zayd doesn’t mess things up.
But when she finds herself increasingly alone in her record-breaking quest, Zara starts to wonder if sharing the crown and making a new friend might end up being the best rule of all.
Cover image and summary via Simon & Schuster
One Sun and Countless Stars : A Muslim Book of Numbers
by Hena Khan, Illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini
Chronicle Books
Counting and culture come together in this stunning companion to Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns.
From one sun to countless stars, this gentle introduction to numbers also celebrates the many diverse traditions of the Muslim world, encouraging readers young and old to reflect upon—and count—their many blessings. Like Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns and Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets, this latest offering in the Concepts of the Muslim World series has stunning illustrations, rhyming read-aloud text, and informative back matter, and it is equally at home in the classroom or being read on a parent’s lap.
Summary via Edelweiss
The Secret of the Himalayas by Adam Gidwitz and Hena Khan, illustrated by Hatem Aly
Penguin Random House/Dutton Books for Young Readers
Critically acclaimed author Hena Khan joins Newbery Honor-winning Adam Gidwitz as co-author of the newest adventure in the NYT bestselling Unicorn Rescue Society series, taking readers to the Himalayan mountains in Northern Pakistan.
When Uchenna and Elliot’s classmate Pai Lu publishes an article in the school newspaper about the Schmoke Brothers’ latest scheme, Professor Fauna notices something alarming—mounted on the wall of the Schmokes’ living room is a single spiral horn that could only belong to one animal—a unicorn. Determined to stop the Schmoke Brothers from potentially poaching more creatures, the Unicorn Rescue Society is headed to Pakistan, where their next adventure is about to begin.
Cover image and summary via Penguin Random House
Amina’s Song by Hena Khan
Simon & Schuster/Salaam Reads
In the companion novel to the beloved and award-winning Amina’s Voice, Amina once again uses her voice to bridge the places, people, and communities she loves—this time across continents.
It’s the last few days of her vacation in Pakistan, and Amina has loved every minute of it. The food, the shops, the time she’s spent with her family—all of it holds a special place in Amina’s heart. Now that the school year is starting again, she’s sad to leave, but also excited to share the wonders of Pakistan with her friends back in Greendale.
After she’s home, though, her friends don’t seem overly interested in her trip. And when she decides to do a presentation on Pakistani hero Malala Yousafzai, her classmates focus on the worst parts of the story. How can Amina share the beauty of Pakistan when no one wants to listen?
Cover image and summary via Simon & Schuster
Behind My Doors: The Story of the World’s Oldest Library