Books where Muslim characters and families see themselves on the page.
Muslim kids deserve ordinary days on the page: a hijab the color of the sky, a quilt of language, faith in the room without a glossary taped to the cover. This hub is not a briefing, and it is not only a holiday book.
We look for Muslim characters as people. We skip titles that exist to explain Islam to everyone else. We skip fear as the only plot. Pride can go first. The unkind comment does not get to own the page.
The Proudest Blue is a first day of school and a sister watching. Ask what made Faizah proud before anyone else said a word. The Arabic Quilt is a classroom where a new kid's words become the room's words. Both also live on other hubs, because lives are not one tag.
This is one of the smaller shelves in the catalog on purpose. We would rather be incomplete than pad it with books that only mention a mosque in passing. If you have a correction or a title we should review, email us.
If a cruel word comes out, correct the fact without humiliating the speaker, then reread the page that showed the person as a person. Do not end on the scolding. Method: after the last page.
Related guides: Stories That Celebrate Every Child · After the Last Page: Talking With Kids About Identity
14 books
Ages 3–8
Your Name Is a SongJamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
The "Glossary of Names" lists each name's meaning, origin, and pronunciation. Additionally, readers can use a listed link to access an online video of the author pronouncing all the names in the book.
Ages 3–8
The Proudest BlueIbtihaj Muhammad
Paired with Hatem Aly's beautiful, whimsical art, Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad and Morris Award finalist S.K. Ali bring readers an uplifting, universal story of new experiences, the unbreakable bond between siblings, and of being proud ...
Ages 3–8
Mommy's KhimarJamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
A young Muslim girl spends a busy day wrapped up in her mother’s colorful headscarf in this sweet and fanciful picture book from debut author and illustrator Jamilah Tompkins-Bigelow and Ebony Glenn.
Ages 3–8
The Arabic QuiltAya Khalil
This authentic story with beautiful illustrations includes a glossary of Arabic words and a presentation of Arabic letters with their phonetic English equivalents.
Ages 3–8
My name is BilalAsma Mobin-Uddin
That person was another Bilal: Bilal Ibn Rabah. What Bilal learns from the book forms the compelling story of a young boy grappling with his identity.
Ages 3–8
Night of The MoonHena Khan
Night of The Moon by Hena Khan — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.
Ages 3–8
The Swirling HijaabNa'ima Bint Robert
A simple story about a young girl imagining all the things she can become while playing with her mother's hijab. There are many bilingual versions of this book with text in two different languages.
Ages 3–8
Ramadan MoonNa'ima B. Robert
Written and illustrated by Muslims, this is a book for all children who celebrate Ramadan and those in the wider communities who want to understand why this is such a special experience for Muslims.
Ages 3–8
Golden Domes and Silver LanternsHena Khan
In simple rhyming text a young Muslim girl and her family guide the reader through the traditions and colors of Islam. Full color.
Ages 3–8
Muslim Nursery RhymesMustafa Yusuf McDermott
Based on traditional English nursery rhymes, this collection encourages an awareness of Islamic values and develops a sense of Muslim self-confidence in young children.
Ages 3–8
Going To MeccaNa'ima B. Robert
This is a window on to a sacred journey for Muslims the world over - beautifully described and illustrated for younger children.
Ages 8–12
Amina's VoiceHena Khan
"A Pakistani-American Muslim girl struggles to stay true to her family's vibrant culture while simultaneously blending in at school after tragedy strikes her community"--]cProvided by publisher.
Ages 8–12
Other Words for HomeJasmine Warga
Jude leaves Syria for Cincinnati in this Newbery Honor novel-in-verse about home and hope.
Young adult
InternmentSamira Ahmed
"A terrifying, futuristic United States where Muslim-Americans are forced into internment camps, and seventeen-year-old Layla Amin must lead a revolution against complicit silence"--
