Salat in Secret
by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, illustrated by Hatem Aly
Penguin Random House/Random House Studio
From the critically acclaimed author of Your Name Is a Song and the bestselling illustrator of The Proudest Blue comes a story about a Muslim boy who receives a salat (prayer) rug on his seventh birthday and becomes empowered about his faith.
In this beautiful story of community, family, and acceptance, a boy named Muhammad receives a special salat rug on his seventh birthday. Seven is the age when Muslim children are encouraged to pray, and Muhammad is determined to do all five daily prayers on time. But one salat occurs during the school day–and he’s worried about being seen praying at school. His father parks his truck to worship in public places, and people stare at and mock him. Will the same thing happen to Muhammad?
In the end, with help from his teacher, he finds the perfect place to pray. Salat in Secret, by two highly acclaimed Muslim creators, is a poignant and empowering look at an important facet of Islam that many observant children cherish but might be scared to share.
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Planet Omar: Epic Hero Flop
by Zanib Mian, Illustrated by Kyan Cheng 
G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House
Omar and his friends are up to a new heroic adventure in the fourth installment of this highly-illustrated middle-grade series starring a Muslim boy with a huge imagination.
Is there ever a good time to tell a lie?
When his best friend Daniel messes up at school, Omar decides to take the blame to save Daniel from getting in trouble—which makes Omar feel like a total hero!
Being treated like a hero feels great, so he does it again. But then something more serious happens, and all eyes land on Omar. Uh-oh.
The principal is convinced that Omar must have done it. Will he and his friends be able to prove his innocence, or is his good reputation ruined forever?
Series Overview: Accidental Trouble Magnet (#1): POB Feb 2020, DG Jan 2022
Unexpected Super Spy (#2): POB Sept 2020, DG May 2022
Incredible Rescue Mission (#3): POB May 2021, DG Jan 2023
Epic Hero Flop (#4): POB June 2022, DG May 2023
Untitled (#5): POB April 2023
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Who Was the Greatest?: Muhammad Ali (Who HQ Graphic Novel)
by Gabe Soria
Illustrated by Chris Brunner and Rico Renzi
Penguin Random House / Penguin Workshop
“The Who HQ Graphic Novels series does an excellent job of quickly engaging readers by capturing the drama and immediacy of pivotal historic events.” — Booklist
Discover the story behind Muhammad Ali and the boxing match that captivated the world, the Thrilla In Manila, in this powerful graphic novel — written by Murder Ballads‘ Gabe Soria and illustrated by award-winning artists Chris Brunner and Rico Renzi.
Presenting Who HQ Graphic Novels: an exciting new addition to the #1 New York Times Best-Selling Who Was? series!
Explore the journey Muhmmad Ali took to win his final match against fellow heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier, known as the Thrilla in Manila. A story of athleticism, heart, and determination, this graphic novel invites readers to immerse themselves into the explosive power of the boxing champion and civil rights activist– brought to life by gripping narrative and vivid full-color illustrations that jump off the page.
Series Overview: Presenting Who HQ Graphic Novels: a new program from the #1 New York Times Best-Selling Who Was? series that highlights one pivotal moment from a person life’s or an event in graphic novel form!
She Persisted in Science : Brilliant Women Who Made a Difference
by Chelsea Clinton
Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger
Philomel Books/ Penguin Random House
A STEM-focused addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling She Persisted series!
Throughout history, women have been told that science isn’t for them. They’ve been told that they’re not smart enough, or that their brains just aren’t able to handle it. In this book, Chelsea Clinton introduces readers to women scientists who didn’t listen to those who told them “no” and who used their smarts, their skills and their persistence to discover, invent, create and explain.
She Persisted in Science is for everyone who’s ever had questions about the world around them or the way things work, and who won’t give up until they find their answers.
With engaging artwork by Alexandra Boiger accompanying the inspiring text, this is a book that shows readers that everyone has the potential to make a difference, and that women in science change our world.
This book features: Florence Nightingale, Rebecca Lee Crumpler, Ynes Enriquetta Julietta Mexia, Grace Hopper, Rosalind Franklin, Gladys West, Jane Goodall, Flossie Wong-Staal, Temple Grandin, Zaha Hadid, Ellen Ochoa, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha & Mari Copeny, and Autumn Peltier, Greta Thunberg & Wanjiru Wathuti
Cover Image and Summary via Edelweiss
All My Rage
by Sabaa Tahir
Razorbill/Penguin
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir comes a brilliant, unforgettable, and heart-wrenching contemporary YA novel about family and forgiveness, love and loss, in a sweeping story that crosses generations and continents.
Lahore, Pakistan. Then.
Misbah is a dreamer and storyteller, newly married to Toufiq in an arranged match. After their young life is shaken by tragedy, they come to the United States and open the Clouds’ Rest Inn Motel, hoping for a new start.
Juniper, California. Now.
Salahudin and Noor are more than best friends; they are family. Growing up as outcasts in the small desert town of Juniper, California, they understand each other the way no one else does. Until The Fight, which destroys their bond with the swift fury of a star exploding.
Now, Sal scrambles to run the family motel as his mother Misbah’s health fails and his grieving father loses himself to alcoholism. Noor, meanwhile, walks a harrowing tightrope: working at her wrathful uncle’s liquor store while hiding the fact that she’s applying to college so she can escape him—and Juniper—forever.
When Sal’s attempts to save the motel spiral out of control, he and Noor must ask themselves what friendship is worth—and what it takes to defeat the monsters in their pasts and the ones in their midst.
From one of today’s most cherished and bestselling young adult authors comes a breathtaking novel of young love, old regrets, and forgiveness—one that’s both tragic and poignant in its tender ferocity.
Summary and cover image via Edelweiss
I am Malala Yousafzai
by Brad Meltzer, illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos
Dial / Penguin Random House
The youngest ever Nobel Prize laureate, Pakistani women’s rights activist Malala Yousafzai, is the 26th hero in the New York Times bestselling picture book biography series for ages 5 to 8.
Malala Yousafzai won the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 17 for speaking out against injustice even when it was terrifying to do so. She was an ordinary Muslim girl who wanted to attend school, and she refused to stop protesting for her rights even after being attacked by a powerful group in Pakistan who wanted women to remain in the shadows. She continues to fight for women’s rights and free education for children all over the world.
This friendly, fun biography series inspired the PBS Kids TV show Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. One great role model at a time, these books encourage kids to dream big. Included in each book are:
- A timeline of key events in the hero’s history
- Photos that bring the story more fully to life
- Comic-book-style illustrations that are irresistibly adorable
- Childhood moments that influenced the hero
- Facts that make great conversation-starters
- A character trait that made the person heroic and that readers can aspire to
You’ll want to collect each book in this dynamic, informative series!
Summary and cover image via Edelweiss
Eid al-Fitr Mad Libs: World’s Greatest Word Game
by Saadia Faruqi
Madlibs / Penguin Random House
This year, celebrate Eid al-Fitr with your family, some sweet TYPE OF FOOD, and Mad Libs!
Eid Mubarak! Celebrate the holiday with Zakat-al-Fitr, sweet treats, and Eid al-Fitr Mad Libs! Filled with good cheer and humor, these 21 fill-in-the-blank stories will give the whole family a new way to enjoy the traditions of the holiday together!
Summary and cover image via Edelweiss
Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar
by Mojdeh Hassani, Samira Iravani, and illustrated by Maya Fidawi
Dial / Penguin Random House
It’s market day for Samira and her grandma! The bazaar is crowded, but this sweet pair knows how to stick together in this silly picture book set in Iran.
Mama Shamsi is off to the market, and today, Samira gets to go with her! Samira loves spending time with her grandmother, and she especially loves her chador, which Mama Shamsi wraps around herself every time they leave the house. As the pair get closer and closer to the market, Samira is worried about getting lost in the crowded streets of Tehran, until she has an idea: She can hide under her grandmother’s chador. But when Mama Shamsi says no—if Samira hides under there, the pair of them will look like a strange animal! In imaginary spreads, Samira and Mama Shamsi turn into a donkey, a giraffe, a kangaroo, a turtle—hiding isn’t working at all. But maybe there’s some other way for Samira to stay safe with her grandma in the crowded market.
Summary via Edelweiss (cover image pending)
Omar Rising
by Aisha Saeed
Nancy Paulsen Books / Penguin Random House
“Irresistibly appealing and genuinely inspiring—a story that helps us to see the world more clearly, and to see ourselves as powerful enough to change it.” —Rebecca Stead, author of Newbery Award Winner When You Reach Me
In this compelling companion to New York Times bestseller Amal Unbound, Amal’s friend Omar must contend with being treated like a second-class citizen when he gets a scholarship to an elite boarding school.
Omar knows his scholarship to Ghalib Academy Boarding School is a game changer, providing him—the son of a servant—with an opportunity to improve his station in life. He can’t wait to experience all the school has to offer, especially science club and hopefully the soccer team; but when he arrives, his hopes are dashed. First-year scholarship students aren’t allowed to join clubs or teams—and not only that, they have to earn their keep doing menial chores. At first Omar is dejected—but then he gets angry when he learns something even worse—the school deliberately “weeds out” kids like him by requiring them to get significantly higher grades than kids who can pay tuition, making it nearly impossible for scholarship students to graduate. It’s a good thing that in his favorite class, he’s learned the importance of being stubbornly optimistic. So with the help of his tight knit new group of friends—and with the threat of expulsion looming over him—he sets out to do what seems impossible: change a rigged system.
Summary and cover image via Edelweiss
That’s Not My Name!
by Anoosha Syed
Viking / Penguin Random House
A debut picture book about loving your name, finding your voice, and standing up for yourself from the critically acclaimed illustrator of Bilal Cooks Daal and I Am Perfectly Designed.
Mirha is so excited for her first day of school! She can’t wait to learn, play, and make new friends. But when her classmates mispronounce her name, she goes home wondering if she should find a new one. Maybe then she’d be able to find a monogrammed keychain at the gas station or order a hot chocolate at the cafe more easily.
Mama helps Mirha to see how special her name is, and she returns to school the next day determined to help her classmates say it correctly—even if it takes a hundred tries.
Summary and cover image via Edelweiss