Lion of the Sky by Ritu Hemnani Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins An evocative, historical debut novel in verse about a boy and his family who are forced to flee their home and become refugees after the British Partition of India. Perfect for fans of Other Words for Home. Twelve-year-old Raj is happiest flying kites with his best […]
Insha'Allah, No, Maybe So by Rhonda Roumani and Nadia Roumani; Illustrated by Olivia Aserr Holiday House/Penguin Random House A sweet and playful picture book about a common Arabic word for life's uncertainties that will ring true for all families. Ranya wants to go to the park. “Insha’Allah,” her mom tells her. But doesn't that just […]
Sour Cherries: An Afghan Family Story by Dezh Azaad, Illustrated by Nan Cao Abrams Author Dezh Azaadand illustrator Nan Cao’s picture book Sour Cherries is a moving, personal story about an Afghan refugee child and the fruit that connects him to family and home. My favorite day is in the summer, picking cherries with my mother. Sour […]
Noor Needs to Know! by Farhana Islam; Illustrated by Nabila Adani Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers A precocious girl makes it her mission to find out why the women in her family wear hijabs in this heartwarming yet funny picture book celebrating Muslim women, curious children, and family love. Noor loves […]
Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan Ex-best friends, Tiwa and Said, must work together to save their Islamic Center from demolition, in this romantic story of rekindling and rebuilding by award-winning authors Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé & Adiba Jaigirdar! These days, Said Hossain spends most of his time away at […]
Fairy-Tale Puppy Picnic: A Branches Book (The Party Diaries #4) by Mitali Banerjee Ruths, Illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel Scholastic Inc./Scholastic (Trade Publishing) Priya puts together the perfect puppy picnic and raises money to help African wild dogs, in the fourth installment of this full-color early chapter book series! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series […]
Zuni and the Memory Jar by Aisha Saeed, Illustrated by Neha Rawat Kokila/Penguin Random House A joyful picture book about celebrating everyday moments of fun, beauty, and wonder, from New York Times bestselling author Aisha Saeed Meet Zuni. She's sweet, silly, ever-so-charming, and full of bright ideas. Her family has a memory jar. Anytime someone in the […]
Unbecoming by Seema Yasmin Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Two Muslim teens in Texas fight for access to abortion while one harbors a painful secret in this near-future speculative novel “with sparkling humor and warmth” (Booklist, starred review) that’s perfect for fans of Unpregnant. In a not-too-distant America, abortions are prosecuted and the right […]
Henna Is... by Marzieh Abbas; illustrated by Anu Chouhan Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan A picture book that serves young readers as a lyrical love letter to henna, written by Middle East Book Award winner Marzieh Abbas and brilliantly illustrated by Anu Chouhan. Henna is so much more than a form of temporary body art. Henna is […]
We Are Big Time by Hena Khan; illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui Knopf/Penguin Random House A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING BEST KIDS’ BOOK AWARD WINNERAliya is new to Wisconsin, and everything feels different than Florida. The Islamic school is bigger, the city is colder, and her new basketball team is…well, they stink. Aliya’s still excited to have teammates (although the […]
Huda Was Here by H. Hayek A & U Children/Independent Publishers Group Huda hatches a bold plan to help her dad get a job - which lands her and her brother in all kinds of trouble. A delightful and hilarious story from a CBCA award-winning author, about a lion-hearted girl who just wants the best […]
The House Without Lights: A Glowing Celebration of Joy, Warmth, and Home by Reem Faruqi; Illustrated by Nadia Alam Henry Holt and Co./Macmillan A heartwarming family-focused picture book from the perspective of a house who wants to be decorated for the winter holidays . . . and is delighted to be lit up for Eid […]