Muslim Read in Color Recommended Reads

The Boldest White: A Story of Hijab and Community by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali, illustrated by Hatem Aly (40 pp, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2024). Faizah loves being part of the community at her mosque, and she loves being part of the group at her fencing lessons. When all eyes are on her, though, Faizah freezes up. Mama says bravery will come with time, but there’s a fencing tournament coming up–does Faizah have what it takes to be bold? Ages 4 – 8.

Cookies and Crescents: An Eid Story by Nada Shawish Dutka, illustrated by Zelma Firdauzia (32 pp, Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2025). Reem doesn’t want to leave her home in the city, to move far away from her community and the bustling Eid celebrations she’s used to. Eid is supposed to be a time to connect with family and friends–and this year was her turn to help make Mama’s famous Eid cookies! What will Reem do alone in a quiet neighborhood so far away?

But Mama is sure a place of their own is what’s best. Besides, maybe under this new sky they’ll finally be able to spot the moon. Ages 4 – 8.

The Eidi Bag by Shazia Afal, illustrated by Shiva Delsooz (32 pp, Owlkids, 2025). Today is Sarah’s first Eid Ul Fitr in her new country. She’s excited to celebrate the breaking of the fast with her loved ones, and collect enough money in her Eidi bag to buy goodies for her friends, and a new set of markers for herself. In Pakistan, after the Eid prayer at the masjid, Sarah’s friends and family would fill her bag with coins. But in her new country, no one pays any attention to her waiting Eidi bag. Sarah is disappointed–this year’s Eid celebration is nothing like she thought it would be.

Later that evening, friends and family arrive at Sarah’s house to celebrate Eid. She greets them at the door, wearing her Eidi bag just in case. But instead of money, the guests come bearing other gifts: baklava, candies, flowers, and a new set of markers! Sarah still misses Pakistan, but she’s delighted by the gift-giving traditions of her new home. Ages 4 – 7.

The Gift of Eid by Shifa Saltagi Safadi, illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel (40 pp, Holiday House, 2025). With Baba gone, Yasmine doesn’t have enough money to buy Mama’s Eid gift and can’t think of anything she wants for herself when Mama asks. While Mama’s haggling with the baker, she gets an idea. And after exchanging gifts with her mom in the Masjid, Yasmine realizes that true Eid joy comes from being together. Ages 4 – 8.

A Ramadan Night by Nadine Presley, illustrated by Asma Enayeh (40 pp, Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026). The call for prayer hugs tight the sky of Damascus on the first night of Ramadan. As steps flutter to fill spaces in mosques, Sami sets out on a nighttime walk with Baba to answer his question: what does a Ramadan night feel like? Ages 4 – 8.

Ramadan Rain by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, illustrated by Aliaa Betawi (40 pp, Random House Studio, 2026). Haneen’s Momma says that during Ramadan raindrops bring blessings and answer prayers. As they travel through the streets on a slow bus ride, rain drips down the window, and Haneen prays for new shoes and bright dresses–gifts she really, really wants to receive for Eid. Ages 4 – 8.

Rayyan Makes a Daddy-Daughter Date by Rayyan Abdur Razzaq, illustrated by Reyhana Ismail (32 pp, Planting People Growing Justice Press, 2026). While she loves being a big sister, she sometimes feels left out. So, she comes up with a plan—she asks her dad to go on a daddy-daughter date! Excited for their special outing, Rayyan and her daddy spend the evening eating at their favorite restaurant, watching a fun movie, and making new memories together. Through their adventure, Rayyan realizes that even though her family has grown, her daddy’s love for her will never change. Ages 5 – 9.

Uum Kulthum: The Star of the East by Rhonda Roumani, illustrated by Ahmed Abdelmohsen (48 pp, Crocodile Books, 2024). Umm Kulthum was an iconic Arab singer whose powerful voice captivated the region for over five decades. Admired by the likes of Maria Callas, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant, and Bono, she became a symbol of cultural pride. Ages 5 – 8.

Upside-Down Iftar by Maysa Odeh, illustrated by Nadine Issa (32 pp, Henry Holt and Co., 2026). Malak can’t wait to help her grandmother make iftar for their family. But when they decide to make makloubeh, everyone has a favorite ingredient to add, and Malak isn’t sure how they’ll fit it all in! This iftar is sure to be one to remember! Ages 4 – 8.

Zamzam for Everyone: Sharing Water at Hajj by Razeena Omar Gutta, illustrated by Bassent Dawoud (32 pp, Barefoot Books, 2026). Mariam is one of millions of people from all over the world who has come to Makkah for the annual pilgrimage of Hajj, and she overflows with excitement and awe. Mama tells her, “Hajj is a time to do good, share, and be thankful.” But what good can Mariam do? That’s it! She’ll share Zamzam, blessed water from an ancient well, with everyone she meets.

As Mariam shares her Zamzam throughout Hajj, she meets friends from all over the world. From fellow pilgrims, she learns new ways to say thank you, tries new foods and drinks, and discovers that when you share with and help others, someone will help you when you need it too. Ages 4 – 8.

A Bit of Earth by Karuna Riazi (368 pp, Greenwillow Books, 2023). What might happen when a young, overlooked orphan feels the sudden urge to put down roots in the most unexpected of places? This tender coming-of-age story about friendship, family, and new beginnings is a reimagining of the classic The Secret Garden. 

For as long as she can remember, Maria Latif has been bounced between reluctant relatives. And it never takes long for her guardians to tire of her. So when old friends of her parents offer to “give her a better life” in the United States, Maria is shipped to a host family across the world.

Nothing in Long Island is what Maria expected. The Claybornes seem unprepared and inexplicable things keep happening in their sprawling house. Could it be magic? Or Maria’s overactive imagination? And then Maria finds the locked gate to an off-limits garden. Since she’s never been good at following rules, Maria decides to investigate and discovers something she never thought she’d find: a place where she feels at home. Ages 8 – 12.

The Button Box by Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-Williams, illustrated by Harshad Marathe (152 pp, Kar-Ben Publishing, 2022). After Jewish fifth-grader Ava and her Muslim best friend Nadeem are called hateful names at school, Ava’s Granny Buena rummages in her closet and pulls out a glittering crystal button box. It’s packed with buttons that generations of Ava’s Sephardic ancestors have cherished. With the help of Granny’s mysterious cat Sheba, Ava and Nadeem discover that a button from the button box will take them back in time. Suddenly, they are in ancient Morocco, where Nadeem’s ancestor, Prince Abdur Rahman, is running for his life. Can Ava and Nadeem help the prince escape to Spain and fulfill his destiny, creating a legendary Golden Age for Muslims, Jews and Christians? Ages 8 – 13.

Home Has No Borders edited by Sona Charaipotra and Samira Ahmed (400 pp, HarperCollins, 2025). From first crushes to first heartbreaks, complicated family dynamics to community relationships, this powerful short story collection explores race, class, culture, language, and the very idea of home as both a place and a feeling. Ages 13 and up.

Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed (464 pp, HarperCollins, 2020). YES

Jamie Goldberg is cool with volunteering for his local state senate candidate—as long as he’s behind the scenes. When it comes to speaking to strangers (or, let’s face it, speaking at all to almost anyone) Jamie’s a choke artist. There’s no way he’d ever knock on doors to ask people for their votes…until he meets Maya.

NO

Maya Rehman’s having the worst Ramadan ever. Her best friend is too busy to hang out, her summer trip is canceled, and now her parents are separating. Why her mother thinks the solution to her problems is political canvassing—with some awkward dude she hardly knows—is beyond her.

MAYBE SO

Going door to door isn’t exactly glamorous, but maybe it’s not the worst thing in the world. After all, the polls are getting closer—and so are Maya and Jamie. Mastering local activism is one thing. Navigating the cross-cultural crush of the century is another thing entirely. Ages 14 and up.

Every Exit Brings You Home by Naeem Murr (336 pp, W. W. Norton & Company, 2026). As a financial crisis looms, Jamal “Jack” Shaban is trying to save his neighbors from bankruptcy. But who is Jack, really? For his flight attendant colleagues, he’s an object of desire, even love, particularly for his sweetly bawdy Wisconsinite best friend, Birdy. Birdy knows nothing about Dimra, Jack’s traditional Muslim wife, with whom Jack is desperate to have a child. Nor does Dimra know about Jack’s attraction to Marcia: an angry single mom new to the building. The resulting tangle of love, desire, and conflict returns Jack to the violence of 1980s Gaza, where a taboo affair nearly destroyed his life.

Far Away from Here: A Novel by Ambata Kazi (328 pp, SparkPress, 2025). In New Orleans, it’s been five years since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the heart and soul of both the city and its residents. Three young Black Muslim friends have reconnected after drifting apart as teenagers: Fatima left with the floodwaters of Katrina following the murder of her childhood love and fiancé, Wakeel, and has now returned to reluctantly care for Wakeel’s mother. Tahani rebelled against a strict Muslim upbringing and feels stifled in her life as a single mother, trying to make ends meet while craving a creative outlet. And Saif, the cousin of Wakeel, must reconcile with Fatima over how his illicit past played a role in his cousin’s death.

Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir by Lamya H (336 pp, Dial Press Trade Paperback, 2024). When fourteen-year-old Lamya H realizes she has a crush on her teacher—her female teacher—she covers up her attraction, an attraction she can’t yet name, by playing up her roles as overachiever and class clown. Born in South Asia, she moved to the Middle East at a young age and has spent years feeling out of place, like her own desires and dreams don’t matter, and it’s easier to hide in plain sight. To disappear. But one day in Quran class, she reads a passage about Maryam that changes everything: When Maryam learned that she was pregnant, she insisted no man had touched her. Could Maryam, uninterested in men, be . . . like Lamya?