Posted in Books, Reviews

Review: Muslim Representation in Picture Books (School Library Journal)

This piece was originally published for School Library Journal in October 2020.

Muslim Representation in Picture Books

Picture books enable readers to see themselves reflected in the larger world. With increasing Muslim representation in published books, all readers can explore the diversity of Muslim communities, identities, and cultural backgrounds as they intersect to create unique expressions of Islamic cultures and practices. Picture books also offer a visually intimate look into Muslim experiences and places where individual and private family traditions, conversations, and interactions flourish.

These books were published in 2019–20 (with one from 2018) by mainstream publishing houses. In searching for books published during this time frame, we found few Muslim male authors and protagonists. In some books, characters are not explicitly Muslim, but nomenclature and context (often a headscarf on a female character) offer clues. In some representations of Muslims in stories, a khimar or hijab (to name a few of the terms used for headscarf) on a female character is still the prevailing identity marker but serves to identify only Muslim girls and women. Also, books may depict Muslim girls wearing hijab at young ages, when it is commonly not worn, or portray girls and women wearing hijab in situations where it is usually not worn. Because there are fewer identity markers for Muslim boys, they often remain invisible.

#OwnVoices representation provides nuanced authenticity as well as subtle allusions to racial diversity in Muslim communities and families, with characters of varied skin tones and clothing styles. As we stated in our 2019 SLJ piece about Muslim representation in YA literature, we hope that publishers will release more books about Muslims and amplify the voices of Muslim populations that are less frequently heard from or seen.

Dee, Noor H. I Say Collection with Nabil and Noura. illus. by Iput. Islamic Foundation. May 2020. ISBN 9780860377825.
PreS-K –This collection of board books follows siblings Nabil and Noura as they explain how common Islamic phrases such as as-salamu’alaykum and bismillah are used in everyday life. Each title includes the phrase written in Arabic with diacritical marks to indicate vowels and stops, transliteration, and translation into English. Simple but profound, these cheery offerings will foster understanding of words used by Muslims and Arabic speakers across the globe. Nabil and Noura are light-skinned, and Noura wears a headscarf; their ethnicity is unclear. Dee and Iput are both Indonesian.

Javaherbin, Mina. My Grandma and Me. illus. by Lindsey Yankey. Candlewick. 2019. ISBN 9781406384949.
PreS-Gr 3 –In this tender, autobiographical story, Iranian American author Javaherbin recalls cherished moments with her grandmother in Iran. Through daily chores, acts of faith like attending mosque and doing charity work, and a beautiful interfaith friendship between the narrator and her grandmother and their Christian friends, her grandma exudes wisdom, generosity, and love. Soft, muted illustrations are made richer with cultural detail, conveying a nostalgia-tinged reminiscence of precious time spent with a loved one.

Khalil, Aya. The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story. illus. by Anait Semirdzhyan. Tilbury. Feb. 2020. ISBN 9780884487548.
K-Gr 3 –Kanzi, an Egyptian immigrant to the United States, worries about not fitting in at her new school, and her fears are heightened when a classmate mocks her and her mother for speaking Arabic. Wrapped in her Teita’s (grandma’s) quilt, Kanzi writes a poem that inspires a classroom quilt project, with her teacher facilitating a discussion of English words that come from Arabic, language appreciation, and acceptance. Muted illustrations and gentle, reassuring text tell a story of a young girl finding pride and love in the languages she speaks. A glossary of Egyptian Arabic terms is included.

Khan, Hena. Like the Moon Loves the Sky. illus. by Saffa Khan. Chronicle. Mar. 2020. ISBN 9781452180199.
PreS-Gr 1 –In eloquent and expressive poetic verses inspired by the Qur’an, a mother shares wishes for her child using the Arabic phrase inshallah (“if God wills it”). She hopes that her child will find wonder in the natural world, seek and reflect on knowledge, and speak “truth [while] working for its sake”—in short, become an integral part of the world and contribute to its betterment. The family is depicted as brown-skinned, and an older woman and a younger child wear headscarves, though their ethnicity is not directly stated; the author is Pakistani American. With vibrant illustrations, this book celebrates a parent’s unconditional love and faith.

Khan, Hena. Under My Hijab. illus. by Aaliya Jaleel. Lee & Low. 2019. ISBN 9781620147924.
PreS-Gr 3 –In a powerful narrative that demystifies hijab and individualizes its wearers, a brown-skinned young girl examines the private and professional lives of the women in her life. Jaleel’s warm illustrations feature women from a multiracial family and community, of different ages, skin tones, and body shapes, depicted with and without headscarves. This delightful portrayal of the different styles of hijab also demonstrates how personality can be conveyed with each twist of fabric.

Latham, Irene & Karim Shamsi-Basha. The Cat Man of Aleppo. illus. by Yuki Shimizu. Putnam. ISBN 9781984813787.
K-Gr 4 – Ambulance driver Alaa stays in his beloved Aleppo, helping the injured while many flee the ongoing war. Noticing how the cats of the city are also affected, Alaa cares for them; as his story reaches others, he obtains funding from all over the world. Soon he helps the cats, other animals, children, and adults to find a home and moments of joy and hope. Based on the true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, this is an inspiring tale of compassion. Shimizu’s breathtaking illustrations and notes from Alaa and the book’s creators add nuance.

Lumbard, Rabiah York. The Gift of Ramadan. illus. by Laura K. Horton. Albert Whitman. 2019. ISBN 9780807529065.
PreS-Gr 3 – When Sophia’s family puts up lights for Ramadan, her grandmother calls them “Pretty and sparkly. Just like the heart of a person who fasts.” Though Sophia finds fasting difficult, with the help of her grandma, she learns that there are many different ways to celebrate Ramadan. Seeing her mother reading the Qur’an and her father assisting neighbors, she finds a way to become involved, help others, and earn something very important to her, the sparkly heart of a believer. Sophia’s family is depicted as multiracial (Sophia’s mother has pale skin and her father has dark skin, while Sophia and her brother and grandmother are the same shade of medium brown). Colorful illustrations enhance this lovely story about Ramadan and its special place as a month of celebration.

Mir, Saira. Muslim Girls Rise: Inspirational Champions of Our Time. illus. by Aaliya Jaleel. S. & S./Salaam Reads. 2019. ISBN 9781534418882.
K-Gr 5 –This collection of illustrated profiles highlights 19 contemporary Muslim women in science, education, fashion, entertainment, politics, activism, and other fields. The women represent various national origins, body types, and skin tones (some wear headscarves; others don’t). Mir notes that these individuals are part of a long line of empowered Muslim women who have made their mark on the world. A quote from each subject is paired with Jaleel’s dynamic illustrations of them in action.

Muhammad, Ibtihaj with S.K. Ali. The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family. illus. by Hatem Aly. Little, Brown. 2019. ISBN 9780316519007.
K-Gr 4 –Shopping with her mother and younger sister Faizah, African American Muslim Asiya finds the perfect scarf for her first day of wearing a hijab and first day of school. Faizah is equally enamored of her older sister’s choice, a blue scarf the “color of the ocean.” Told from Faizah’s point of view, this tale depicts the highs, lows, and ultimate triumph of Asiya’s first day covering her hair at school. Bright, bold blues evoke strength, pride, and love, with details that respectfully capture the characters’ African American heritage.

Ramadan, Danny. Salma the Syrian Chef. illus. by Anna Bron. Annick. Mar. 2020. ISBN 9781773213750.
PreS-Gr 3 –Salma and her mother, Syrian refugees living in Vancouver, Canada, miss home, so, with the help of friends at the refugee center, Salma attempts to prepare her mother’s favorite dish, foul shami, to finally make her mother laugh again. Striking illustrations and use of Syrian motifs frame Salma’s heartwarming story as she adjusts to her new home and finds moments of joy with the help of a loving community of refugees from around the world.

Saeed, Aisha. Bilal Cooks Daal. illus. by Anoosha Syed. S. & S./Salaam Reads. 2019. ISBN 9781534418103.
PreS-Gr 3 –Creamy, garlicky, slow-cooked daal is Pakistani American Bilal’s favorite meal. But his friends, who have never eaten the spiced lentil dish, are unsure about how it looks and smells, causing Bilal some apprehension, even as more friends join to help him and Abu (his father) prepare the meal. Bilal’s story speaks to the anxiety of children whose food is often othered, while instilling pride and love in their culture. An author’s note includes a recipe and information about daal as a staple food in South Asia, including Pakistan, where Bilal’s grandparents grew up.

Sullivan, Rosana. Mommy Sayang. illus. by author. Disney. 2019. ISBN 9781368015905.
PreS-Gr 1 –Aleeya and her Mommy sayang (dear mommy) spend every waking moment together in their Malaysian village—and even sleep can’t part them, as Aleeya dreams of her beloved parent. When Mommy gets sick, Aleeya feels the separation acutely. Remembering her dreams, she finds a way to help her mother feel better. Featuring delicate linework and centering Malaysian Muslims of different skin tones and body sizes, this tale is both a beautiful example of representation and a sensitive way to explain and process feelings around parent-child separation.

Thompkins-Bigelow, Jamilah. Mommy’s Khimar. illus. by Ebony Glenn. S. & S./Salaam Reads. 2018. ISBN 9781534400597.
PreS-Gr 2 –A young African American Muslim girl admires her mother as she covers her hair with a khimar, or “flowing scarf.” Exploring her mother’s closet, the girl adorns herself with a sunshine yellow khimar over her braids, awakening her imagination to multiple possibilities. Illustrated in radiant colors and brimming with universal appeal, this is a joyful and much-needed representation of a loving, intergenerational, interfaith, African American Muslim family and their multiracial mosque community.

Thompkins-Bigelow, Jamilah. Your Name Is a Song. illus by Luisa Uribe. Innovation. Jul. 2020. ISBN 9781943147724.
K-Gr 5 –At the end of the first day of school, a young Black Muslim girl is upset because her classmates and teacher “could not say her name.” As she and her mother walk home through their bustling, multiethnic neighborhood, her mother teaches her that “names are songs,” each conveying an innate melody. Soft, flowing illustrations complement lyrical text affirming that all names are valid and worthy of respect. The narrative reflects a common experience for many BIPOC families, who must uplift their children’s identities and teach them tools to defuse and defend against microaggressions from both peers and teachers.


Sara G. Ahmed is a general services librarian in Delaware County, PA. Mahasin Abuwi Aleem is the children’s collection management librarian for the Oakland (CA) Public Library System. Ariana Sani Hussain is a teacher librarian at the Blake School in the Minneapolis suburbs. Hadeal Salamah is a librarian at Georgetown Day School in Washington, DC.

      
Posted in Books, Reviews

“Great Books” article in School Library Journal

A few months ago, we had the opportunity to highlight some recent Young Adult (YA) titles for School Library Journal (SLJ)

The criteria for the SLJ list were YA titles published within the last year or two that had Muslim protagonists and/or authors. Typically, these types of SLJ articles highlight 10-12 titles. 

We looked at two dozen possible titles, narrowing the list down to 14, to include different genres/formats, publishers, and a range of authors of different racial and ethnic identities. 

In the article, we mentioned the lack of African American protagonists in the works of fiction. 

Another observation was that most titles feature female protagonists. 

Two of the titles on the list include male protagonists, one who is perceived as being Muslim because of his family background but does not identify as a Muslim.

We know that Islam has been racialized; even if someone doesn’t identify as a Muslim, or practice the religion, because of their ancestry, nationality, or ethnicity, islamophobia and bigotry can still affect them. 

While we hope that this piece is helpful in identifying titles of interest, it’s not comprehensive, nor is it meant to be.

You can read the piece below or at School Library Journal.

Thoughts? Questions? Leave us a comment.


Muslims in YA | Great Books

Literature has always had the power to uplift, providing communities the opportunity to see themselves and offering outsiders windows into the lives of others. Given recent occurrences of Islamophobia throughout the United States and across the world, the increasing representation of Muslims in young adult literature and adult literature with YA appeal is both welcome and needed to express nuance and create empathy for a nonmonolithic group whose stories are often oversimplified. These recent titles, mostly #OwnVoices books, reflect a diversity of Muslim protagonists (or those perceived as Muslim); their individual and collective experiences, cultures, and traditions; and their expression of Islam.

Looking at major publications over the last two years (not including self-published books or those from Islamic publishers), we found gaps in the representation of Muslims who are Black or African American, as well as Black immigrants and those descended from immigrants. The two titles here that center on African American Muslims are autobiographies of prominent athletes: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Ibtihaj Muhammad. Though both are excellent selections, we hope that more books about Muslims will be published and that Muslims and other writers from marginalized groups will continue to raise their voices.

ABDUL-JABBAR, Kareem & Raymond Obstfeld. Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court. 304p. Little, Brown. Nov. 2017. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780316555388.
Gr 7 Up–In this young readers edition, legendary basketball star Abdul-Jabbar, born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., reflects on his life from childhood to school to the basketball court, shedding light on the experiences and people who helped shape him into the man he became and discussing how his search for peace, meaning, and fulfillment led him to Islam.

AHMED, Samira. Internment. 400p. Little, Brown. Mar. 2019. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780316522694.
Gr 8 Up–“Exclusion laws” imposed by an Islamophobic president have upended the lives of Muslims across the United States, including Layla’s. Removed from school for her own good by her parents, Layla circumvents state-imposed curfews to see her boyfriend, David, who is Jewish. When she and her family and other Muslims are rounded up by the authorities and forced to live in an internment camp in the California desert, Layla learns what it means to survive—and to fight. This cautionary tale for our times draws parallels between the situation Muslim Americans face today and the horrors of the Japanese American internment.

ALI, S.K. Love from A to Z. 352p. S. & S./Salaam Reads. May 2019. Tr. $18.99. ISBN 9781534442726.
Gr 8 Up–Two Muslim students, Zayneb and Adam, meet during their spring break in Doha, Qatar. High schooler Zayneb lives in Indiana and has an Islamophobic teacher. Adam, who attends college in London, stopped going to classes after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Both write their thoughts in journals divided into sections on Marvels and Oddities. This is a poignant love story between two practicing Muslims who stay true to themselves and to their beliefs.

ALKAF, Hanna. The Weight of Our Sky. 288p. S. & S./Salaam Reads. Feb. 2019. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781534426085.
Gr 8 Up–In this novel set during the Malaysian race riots of 1969, 16-year-old Melati struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder, believing that she is being tormented by a djinn whose threats against her mother can be appeased only with counting rituals. When violence breaks out among ethnic Malays, Chinese, and Indians in Kuala Lumpur, Melati worries that her fears will manifest. A powerful and raw exploration of mental illness, Malaysian history, and rising above prejudice and hate.

AZAD, Nafiza. The Candle and the Flame. 416p. Scholastic. May 2019. Tr $18.99. 9781338306040.
Gr 7 Up–Fatima is human but carries the fire of the djinn within her. She lives in Noor, a vibrant, multicultural city along the Silk Road that has risen from the ashes of destruction by the Shayateen but faces threats to its existence. Azad seamlessly blends Islamic concepts and Middle Eastern mythology with a cornucopia of other traditions to create a magical musing on identity, community, friendship, love, and loss.

DAUD, Somaiya. Mirage. 320p. Flatiron. Aug. 2018. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781250126429.
Gr 8 Up–Amani is kidnapped from her village and groomed to be a stand-in for the hated crown princess Maram vak Mathis. Maram is the daughter of the leader of the Vathek imperialists, who are occupying Cadiz, a moon of Andala, Amani’s planet. Daud’s intricate sci-fi world is reminiscent of Morocco, and she addresses real-world issues of colonialism and loss of culture while giving readers a strong, rebellious protagonist to root for and a steamy romance.

FAIZAL, Hafsah. We Hunt the Flame. 480p. (Sands of Arawiya: Bk. 1). Farrar. May 2019. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780374311544.
Gr 9 Up–Faizal’s exciting, action-packed fantasy debut is set in Arawiya, a kingdom inspired by Arabian mythology. The Hunter, 17-year-old Zafira, disguised as a man, seeks a legendary jewel that will restore magic to the land. Assassin-prince Nasir intends to kill Zafira and take the jewel, but is stopped by their undeniable attraction and the threat of an even greater enemy.

FARIZAN, Sara. Here To Stay. 272p. Algonquin. Sept. 2018. Tr $17.95. ISBN 9781616207007.
Gr 9 Up–Bijan, who is Iranian Jordanian and a nonpracticing Muslim, becomes the victim of Islamophobia when classmates circulate an edited photo of him depicted as a terrorist. With the support of his friends, Bijan identifies those classmates and fights hate with peace. A compelling look at what it means to be the target of blind hate.

JALALUDDIN, Uzma. Ayesha at Last. 352p. Berkley. Jun. 2019. pap. $16. ISBN 9781984802798.
Gr 10 Up–In this adult novel, a contemporary spin on Pride and Prejudice, Ayesha and Khalid’s mutual attraction wins out over their initial misconceptions of each other. They can’t help falling in love, even though Khalid is expected to follow through with the marriage that his mother is arranging for him—to Ayesha’s cousin. Jalaluddin’s debut is a Muslim love story that expertly navigates the intersections of identity, religion, culture, tradition, familial expectations, and personal dreams.

KULLAB, Samya. Escape from Syria. illus. by Jackie Roche. 96p. Firefly. Oct. 2017. Tr $19.95. ISBN 9781770859821.
Gr 7 Up–Kullab brings the stark reality of Syrian refugees to light in this heartbreaking graphic novel inspired by real people and events. Readers view the conflict over the course of several years through the eyes of Amina, a fictional character. This eye-opening account will spark classroom discussions on current events.

MUHAMMAD, Ibtihaj. Proud: Living My American Dream. 240p. glossary. Little, Brown. Jul. 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780316477000.
Gr 6 Up–The young readers edition of U.S. Olympic fencer Muhammad’s memoir explores her family’s roots and attraction to Islam, her formative childhood and educational experiences, and her rise to Olympic fame, including the painful bigotry of her teammates. Muhammad skillfully discusses the ways that race, class, gender, and religion have affected her ambitions. This examination of what it means to be an accomplished African American Muslim woman will resonate with students.

SAFI, Aminah Mae. Tell Me How You Really Feel. 320p. Feiwel & Friends. Jun. 2019. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781250299482.
Gr 7 Up–Rachel, who is Jewish, is forced to collaborate on her final film project with the impossibly beautiful, talented Sana, who once seemingly pranked Rachel by asking her out. Their proximity unlocks Sana’s secret longings, challenging her and her family’s expectations, while Rachel must confront her own assumptions. A lovely queer intersectional and feminist romance.

TAHEREH, Mafi. A Very Large Expanse of Sea. 320p. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. Oct. 2018. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780062866561.
Gr 9 Up–Shirin, a headscarf-wearing, break-dancing, foul-mouthed 16-year-old, refuses to be constrained by anyone’s expectations. Hardened by the bigotry she has endured in the year since the 9/11 terror attacks, she’s withdrawn, counting down the days until graduation, when she can escape her narrow-minded suburban enclave. When Shirin is forced to become lab partners with Ocean, a popular basketball player with whom she seemingly has nothing in common, she learns to embrace acceptance where she least expects it. This evocative semiautobiographical novel challenges assumptions about why some Muslim women cover their hair and conveys the innocence and passion of first love.

WILSON, G. Willow. The Bird King. 440p. Grove. Tr $26. ISBN 9780802129031.
Gr 10 Up–Although she lives a luxurious life in the sultan’s harem, the only thing Fatima craves is freedom. With the help of Vikram, a jinn who fades from man to dog, Fatima and Hassan, her best friend and magical cartographer, flee the palace when Hassan becomes a target of the Spanish Inquisition. Wilson weaves Arabic, Islam, and Islamic traditions to create an adult novel brimming with YA appeal—one that questions the meaning of time and reality.


Sara G. Ahmed is a general services librarian in Pennsylvania. Mahasin Abuwi Aleem is a children’s librarian in Oakland. Ariana Sani Hussain is a librarian at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School in Washington, DC. Hadeal Salamah is a children’s librarian in the Mid-Atlantic region.