Akin to her beloved Yasmin series, author Saadia Faruqi offers up a new set of books similarly rich with culture, family mishaps, problem solving, and fun for early readers. This is the first book…
I remember my 2nd graders reading this many years ago and strongly disliking it. And I vaguely remember agreeing with them, but perhaps at the time, there weren’t a lot of Islamic fiction op…
I love books that show, not tell how diverse Muslims are and celebrate the unique ways that Islam and culture come together. This early elementary chapter book beautifully blends, Islam with Spani…
This graphic novel jammed pack with sleuthing, friendship, and diversity is perfect for ages 8 and up. The inclusive cast shows motive and growth keeping anyone from being entirely good or complet…
It is quite remarkable how my standards and expectations have grown and evolved. I anxiously have waited for the next book in the Eliyas series, having loved the Angels book that came out nearly t…
It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday! For more reviews, go to author
This middle grades, upper elementary book is a character driven contemporary story of two friends with their own fears coming together: one a native of Tampa, the other one a refugee from Syria arr…
This new 32 page rhyming book focuses on a boy who gets frustrated and often loses his temper and how the onset of Ramadan has his father imparting the lesson that fasting isn’t just staying …
This middle grade, 330 page book is an easy read that touches on concepts of change within friendships and families with the back drop of life in a coastal town, finding courage, and Islamaphobia. …
This middle grades 224 page read is quick and memorable. The story is set in Pakistan and the characters are probably Muslim, but there is no religion mentioned until nearly the end, and even then…
This 36 page early chapter book is a good introduction to the concept that one person can make a difference. The seven chapters flow easily, and while the names of the cities, Freshtown and Dumpto…
This delightful 70 page early chapter book is filled with humor, Islam, and a sweet story that ties it all together. The book definitely has a teaching agenda, but it carries it with hilarious ban…
This early chapter book packs a lot of personality, growth, and fun into 127 pages. The writing quality is engaging and the characters relatable. If you have read the Zayd Saleem books …
Good early elementary books can be tricky: the voice needs to read authentic, the lessons not preachy, and the scenarios relatable, all while not talking down to the reader or talking above their c…
I really, really wanted to love this book, I saw it in last month’s Scholastic catalog and without even reading it I ordered a copy for me and two classroom six packs (total of 13 books). I …
This last Ramadan I tried every day to listen to Sheikh Omar Suleiman’s Angels in your Presence series with my kids and discuss Angels with them. I learned so much and got to wondering,…
At 254 pages this boarding school story beautifully blends Islamic information, mystery, and compelling characters embarking on a new stage of their lives. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy a…
This 40 page early elementary book based on the efforts of the real life woman, Loujain AlHathloul, and her work to change the laws regarding women driving in Saudi Arabia, had a lot of promise.&nb…
Strong muslim girls (check) Historical fiction (check) Elementary level chapter book (check) Beautifully illustrated (check) Action, adventure, fun (check, check, check) Really what more can …
I love the Eliyas Explains books, but was a little curious what a “Bite-Size Journal” version would be, and Alhumdulillah, the silly relatable voice is the same, there just isn’t …
I originally bought this book in Ramadan and had hoped to review it so that those looking for Ramadan books could benefit. But it isn’t Ramadan specific, just moon themed, and I really was so…
This 32 page early reader is absolutely adorable with jumping in the leaves, sibling love, imaginary unicorns and dragons, yummy food, Pakistani culture and delightful illustrations. Books in…
I’ve seen this book on and off over the years, but it wasn’t until I saw @muslimkidsbooknook’s post about it, did it register that it is a chapter book, with a plot and story. I …
This is one of those books that it is hard to know who the target audience is and who would most enjoy the text heavy 40 pages about a boy coming of age in Malaysia by harvesting honey in a traditi…
Let me start off by saying that the fact alone that this book (and series) was written by a 9 year old is amazing. As a former 4th grade teacher, if I saw this type of writing come across my …
This 32 page early reader is part of the Nadia and Nadir series that can be read and purchased as a standalone. It shows the sibling duo problem solving, working together, sharing, and getting exc…
This book was suggested to me and I was thrilled to find it at the public library so quickly after its May 8, 2018 release date. I love that it is an AR 4.2 and 226 pages about a girl standin…
I first read this book in 2004 and it was pretty much my first introduction to what elementary aged/young adult Islamic fiction could and should be. It set the standard and I think subconsciously …
I saw this book on Scholastic when I searched for “Muslim” on the website, a regular endeavor of mine, and was surprised to see it pop it since the synopsis on the back doesn’t me…
The book isn’t much to look at with its black and white, with yellow thrown in cover, and its 40 pages bound with a staple, but for independent readers between 2nd and 4th grade or so, the book is …
This is another holiday book in the Nadia and Nadir series for early readers, this one focusing on Eid al Fitr, but also celebrating Muslim American athletes Ibtijaj Muhammad and Muhammad Ali, sadq…
So um ya, its a book about a boy who wants a pet snake. Very linear, very simple, often more instructional than story, but somehow I really enjoyed it and read it in one sitting, as did my 9-year-o…
After reading this book, I really, really want to meet (and be friends with) the author, she writes from the point of view of Omar, a nine year old boy, and his perspective and voice are so authent…
This book is a great OWN voice, middle grade coming of age book that rings with truth and hope in its poetic lines that sweep you up and keep you cheering. Over 352 pages the author’s semi-a…
This is the second and seemingly last book in the Rashid series, which is unfortunate, because like its predecessor Rashid and the Missing Body, the book is a quick fun read aimed at 3rd through 5t…
This is a great book that works on a variety of levels. Leena is fasting the whole day for the first time, but is also invited to a friends party. Her mom gives her the choice to fast o…
Don’t let this 32 page book with minimal text fool you in to thinking that big ideas, strong emotions, and tremendous self empowerment are not effectively conveyed, because despite my initial…
Presenting the stories of refugees to young children often involves a balancing act of fact, emotion, and restraint, all while finding the common ground to create empathy in the reader. Incre…
Discover engaging picture books about Ramadan and Eid in our latest blog post. Perfect for introducing young readers to this holy month.
This book made me laugh. It is essentially the story of Scrooge in the Christmas Carol simplified for a younger audience and switched to an Islamic perspective. Don’t get me wrong, despite i…
This book is perfect for 1st through 3rd grade girls, as it focuses on Sameerah’s first day of school in America and meeting new friends. Sameerah and her family have just moved from Yemen a…
This book really marked a shift in Islamic fiction for me and the genre. First of all I was waiting for the book to come out. I didn’t stumble upon it or hear about it from someon…
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In the first Zak book, Zak had good intentions that just never went his way and we, as the readers, really felt bad for him. In this new book, it takes a few pages to feel sympathy for Zak as his …
This slow, aimless, subtle, quiet prose-like book, is unexpectedly charming and endearing, and so not like most every young adult book out there. I truly want to make all 4th through 8th graders …
It is hard to know what a child would get out of this 32 page 3.2 AR level, but even if they just get lost in the pictures, and swept away by the idea of a boy searching for his name and a dream, I…
I don’t know what is more frustrating: quality books that are poorly packaged (binding, illustrations, font, spacing, etc.) or beautiful books that miss the mark in storytelling and basic wri…
