Share these selections from Hena Khan, Saadia Faruqi, Huda Fahmy, and more in January and all year long.

Picture Books

Zamzam for Everyone: Sharing Water at Hajj by Razeena Omar Gutta. illus. by Bassent Dawoud. Barefoot. ISBN 9798888592366. 
Gr 1-3–A little girl narrates her first experience of Hajj, a time to “do good, share, and be thankful.” Mariam tells of her decision to share her Zamzam water, believed to be blessed in the Muslim tradition, with anyone who needs it on the five-day pilgrimage from Makkah to Mina to the plains of Arafah, Muzdalifah, and then back to Mina and Makkah. In doing so, she encounters Muslims from the world over and receives food, drink, and thanks from people of many different cultures. Dawoud’s digital collages amplify the goodwill; her characters exude kindness, while a judicious use of patterns on hijabs, flooring, and walls gives life to the bustling scenes. VERDICT This joyful collaboration will be equally enjoyed by children who already know about Hajj and by those who are learning of it for the first time.

Dark Nights and Light Hearts: A Muslim Book of Opposites by Hena Khan. illus. by Mehrdokht Amini. Chronicle. ISBN 9781797226958.
PreS-K–“Small is my cousin, a tiny baby boy. His Aqiqah day fills us with love and joy.” A beautiful companion to Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns, this book continues to celebrate the richness of Islamic culture while introducing the concept of opposites. Following a family through small moments, like eating a meal, and significant milestones, like a wedding, the text weaves together lyrical descriptions. Striking mixed-media illustrations enhance the text, providing context and depth to the story. VERDICT A first purchase for all libraries.

Saif’s Special Patches by Humera Malik. illus. by Ravan Sader. Soaring Kite. ISBN 9781958372678.
PreS-Gr 2–Malik’s picture book offers the hopeful and overarching theme that we are more than what we think we are. Saif, a young Muslim boy, stays inside with his mom while he watches his friends play outside through the window. When asked, he tells his mother that he is too shy to play. In response, his mother points to a patch on his quilt and shares that just as it is made of patches sewn together, he is made of many elements as well. Sader evokes peace and calm with a brightly colored palette of yellows, reds, purples, and blues reminiscent of pastels on a watercolor background. VERDICT This warm tale about self-realization and growth is recommended for picture book collections.
 

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Amina Banana and the Formula for Making Money by Shifa Saltagi Safadi. illus. by Aaliya Jaleel. Putnam. (Amina Banana: Bk. 3). ISBN 9780593699249. 
Gr 1-3–Amina returns in the third book of this illustrated series as a third grader determined to help her family with their financial stress. When she overhears her parents discussing budget concerns, Amina decides to assist them by making money. Unfortunately, her plans go awry and cause problems rather than solving them. Amina’s family moved from Syria and now attend masjid in their new neighborhood, where she finds a true solution to the budget crisis. Some instances at the grocery store call attention to attitudes that immigrant families may face, such as being told to speak English or hearing complaints about foreigners. Amina speaks up the second time it happens, and her mother and older brother praise her bravery and intelligence. Grayscale illustrations throughout capture scenes at school, home, or out in the community. VERDICT A welcome addition for collections seeking more representation of Muslim characters and an entertaining read for grade school students who enjoy realistic fiction with a dash of humor.

Middle Grade

Hail Mariam by Huda Al-Marashi. Penguin/Kokila. ISBN 9798217112968. 
Gr 3-7–A young Muslim girl attending a Catholic middle school ponders questions of faith and life while dealing with her sister’s serious illness. On an ill-advised sleepover at a friend’s house, Mariam is startled to see a picture of Jesus, knowing that her own Muslim faith forbids the portrayal of prophets. Her confusion grows as she starts at a new Catholic middle school, where such pictures and statues abound. Is she betraying her faith by looking at them? Will her classmates accept her even though she is not Catholic? All of these questions come to a head when Mariam presents an unscripted passage about Mary taken from the Quran during the annual Christmas play. Based on the author’s own life, and described by the publisher as “an interfaith Muslim take on Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” the book skillfully weaves a story of a typical middle school girl in a not-so-typical situation. Muslim customs and holidays, including Ramadan, are woven into the story, and Arabic phrases are used throughout. VERDICT A refreshing and thought-provoking look at a preteen Muslim girl’s very relatable middle school experience. 

Ms. Marvel: Remnants of the Past by Saadia Faruqi. Disney/Marvel. ISBN 9781368078870. 
Gr 5-9–Filled with magic and a diverse cast of characters, Faruqi’s book ticks all the boxes for readers seeking a fun, action-packed story. Kamala Khan, alias Ms. Marvel, is the first Muslim superhero; she uses her “embiggen” superpower to protect her hometown of Jersey City from evil villains such as Kingpin and Delilah. In this installment, Kamala and her besties, Nakia and Bruno, investigate the theft of an ancient pair of magical Mughal spectacles stolen from a local museum. Kamala, who is Pakistani American, struggles to balance her identities as an American teenager versus a traditional Pakistani daughter while digging into a mystery that hits close to home. While the storyline has a mature message about the importance of family and cultural heritage, the straightforward character development and narration of action scenes will appeal more to upper elementary and middle-schoolers. VERDICT A fast-paced adventure that will please Marvel fans and readers seeking books that center South Asian characters.

The Strongest Heart by Saadia Faruqi. HarperCollins/Quill Tree. ISBN 9780063115859.
Gr 5 Up–Faruqi’s book takes a deep dive into what it’s like living with a parent experiencing mental illness. Mo is an eighth grader with a secret: he lives with a monster. The monster, Abbu (dad), is prone to outbursts, criticizes Mo fiercely, hallucinates, and hears voices. His mom is in Greece helping refugee children, leaving Mo alone with the monster. When Mo and the monster go to live with his aunt and cousin, readers slowly learn that Abbu has schizophrenia. As Mo adjusts to life in Texas, he deals with school bullies, bonds with his cousin, and navigates the anger and resentment he feels for his parents. With the help of his aunt, his biology teacher, and his growing Muslim faith, Mo starts to think maybe he’s been wrong about his dad. Faruqi also uses the South Asian folktales that Mo loves sharing to further explain the lessons he’s learning. The scenes where readers see Abbu’s episodes are written to show how scary they are for Mo without being overwhelming for middle school readers. VERDICT Recommended for its realistic depictions of mental illness, family struggles, and emotional growth, especially where writers like Jasmine Warga and others are popular.

Rainbow Fair by Diana Ma. HarperCollins/Clarion. ISBN 9780063339521.
Gr 4-7–Intersectional identities, friendship, keeping secrets, and a big school fair will keep everyone busy in this story. Seventh grader Sophie is getting ready like everyone else for the Rainbow Fair, a yearly event in her middle school where students organize booths to talk about their identity and heritage. Sophie has worked the Chinese booth in the past. However, she has kept her Muslim religion a secret, even from her closest friend. After a mishap, she is “outed” to the class as Hui, or Chinese Muslim. Encouraged by her teacher, she agrees to run a Muslim booth alone, as no one else in her school shares her beliefs. Problem is, she hasn’t discussed any of that with her parents, who do not actively practice Islam. And now that new girl and devout Muslim Anna has joined school, can Sophie successfully work at both booths, while keeping secrets from her family? This middle grade novel tackles the issue of intersectionality, even if in simple ways, and readers will relate to Sophie and Katie. This novel will find a reading base who can cheer for the nervous, anxious middle schooler who’s still figuring out who she is. VERDICT A solid purchase for libraries seeking more diversity in Asian experiences as well as Muslim representation.

Graphic Novels

Almost Sunset by Wahab Algarmi. HarperAlley. ISBN 9780063355675.
Gr 5-8–Seventh grader Hassan is fasting for the month of Ramadan, which means no burgers at lunchtime, accidentally dozing in math class, and leaving soccer practice early to nap. Despite the challenges of balancing his faith with school and extracurricular obligations, Hassan is dedicated to fasting throughout the month. With his grades slipping and his soccer position in jeopardy, will he be able to make it to Eid? Algarmi pens a moving middle grade tale of adolescent Muslim identity that will find purchase with any tween, especially those overwhelmed with the demands of school, family, and activities. The illustrative focus is emotion and action, thus characterization takes precedence over elaborate dress and detailed backgrounds. VERDICT A necessary mirror for middle grade Muslim readers, and a tremendous window into the customs of Ramadan for peers and educators to learn more about Islamic traditions.

Huda F Wants to Know? by Huda Fahmy. Dial. (Huda: Bk. 3). ISBN 9780593855614.
Gr 7-10–Huda’s plans for a successful junior year of high school are upended when her parents announce they’re getting a divorce. Huda is blindsided by the news, struggling with what it means for her family as well as the stigma divorce holds in their Muslim community. The normally lighthearted Huda pretends she’s fine but becomes angry and depressed. At halaqa, where Muslim girls gather for Islamic-centered discussions of social issues, she meets Dr. Haifa, who discusses the importance of mental health and explains how it can be addressed without shame while keeping true to Islam. In time, Huda is honest about her feelings and understands what she needs to do to heal. Fahmy explores how in Huda’s community, as in many cultural and religious communities, there’s skepticism surrounding mental health issues. The narrative addresses this directly, normalizing the existence of the issues and showing that getting help is not shameful. The art is as engaging as ever, supporting the story to bring a soft touch to serious topics. VERDICT A captivating graphic novel that shows readers from all communities that it’s possible to recognize and address mental health concerns while still respecting cultural values. 

Say Something, Poupeh Babaee! by Haleh Massey. illus. by Ghazal Qadri. little bee/Yellow Jacket. ISBN 9781499815276.
Gr 4-7–Moving is difficult—and it is made even harder without parents. For elementary school student Poupeh, moving to America while her parents are stuck in Iran because of a Muslim immigration ban feels nearly impossible. That amount of uncertainty is so overwhelming that Poupeh stops speaking, developing selective mutism—both at school and in her relatives’ home. Unfortunately, speaking is essential to stand up to mean kids at school and to provide testimony for her parents’ visa approval. It’s not a situation any kid should be in, and Massey’s story deftly captures the immense pressure Poupeh feels as she deals with her Persian American cousin’s snark, her classmates’ teasing, and her teacher’s attempts to elucidate fellow students on Middle Eastern culture by making Poupeh the center of attention. Massey’s storytelling feels most natural when exploring Poupeh’s family’s strong sense of Iranian identity, marking holidays, sharing meals, and occasionally noting significant achievements in Persian history. VERDICT An emotionally compelling, insistently educative view of a challenging immigration experience.
 

Nonfiction

Game Changers: Stories of Hijabi Athletes from Around the World by Charlene Smith. illus. by Natalya Tariq. Orca. ISBN 9781459838048.
Gr 4-7–Introductions to various female Muslim athletes from around the world are presented in this volume that focuses on the significance of the hijab for them. Readers learn of 2016 Olympian Doaa Elghobashy, who was the first to wear the hijab in beach volleyball; weightlifter Latifah McBryde, who successfully convinced the NCAA to allow a modest uniform in competition; and Shirin Gerami, who was the first Iranian athlete to successfully complete a triathlon. Throughout the narrative, Smith successfully dispels the myth that Muslim women must be submissive and refrain from participating in sports. She also points out the challenges these women have faced; for instance, Afghani soccer player Hajar Abulfazl endured misogynistic comments from her uncles. The book will enlighten those interested in Islamic women’s opportunities and achievements in sports. VERDICT For collections requiring more on the hijab and its importance to devout Muslim women, this book is an ideal addition.