April is Arab-American Heritage month! Check out some books featuring Arab-American characters, authors, and illustrators, and celebrate the culture and rich heritage of Arab-Americans.
Amira’s Picture Day
Amira is excited because tomorrow is Eid with special clothes, treats, gifts, and a morning party at her mosque; but then she realizes that she is going to miss class picture day at school, something she was also looking forward to–so Amira has to figure out a way to be in two places at once.
Barakah Beats
Leaving Islamic school to attend “real school,” 12-year-old Nimra Sharif joins the school’s popular eighth grade boy band, Baraka Beats, in an attempt to fit in—even though she was taught that music isn’t allowed in Islam, forcing her to make a difficult decision.
Deep in the Sahara
An Arab girl of the Sahara who wants to wear a malafa, the veiled dress worn by her mother and older sister, learns that the garment represents beauty, mystery, tradition, belonging, and faith.
Everything Sad is Untrue
At the front of a middle school classroom in Oklahoma, a boy named Khosrou (whom everyone calls “Daniel”) stands, trying to tell a story. His story. But no one believes a word he says. To them he is a dark-skinned, hairy-armed boy with a big butt whose lunch smells funny; who makes things up and talks about poop too much.
Insha’Allah, No, Maybe So
Ranya gets frustrated when her mom just says “Insha’allah” whenever Ranya asks for something, but as the two talk, both Ranya and mom realize Insha’allah means so much more.
Other Words for Home
Sent with her mother to the safety of a relative’s home in Cincinnati when her Syrian hometown is overshadowed by violence, Jude worries for the family members who were left behind as she adjusts to a new life with unexpected surprises.
Power Forward
Fourth-grader Zayd yearns to play basketball on the Gold Team, but when he skips orchestra rehearsal to practice, his parents forbid anything basketball-related, and tryouts are coming soon.
Saffron Ice Cream
Rashin is an Iranian immigrant girl living in New York, excited by her first trip to Coney Island, and fascinated by the differences in the beach customs between her native Iran and her new home–but she misses the saffron flavored ice cream that she used to eat.
Silverworld
Desperate to help her ailing grandmother, Sami consults Sitti’s spell book and falls into the magical Silverworld, where she must try to save the enchanted city and, perhaps, Sitti, too.
The Turtle of Michigan
Eight-year-old Aref is excited to reunite with his father in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he will start a new school, and while Aref misses his grandfather, his Sidi, he knows that his home in Oman will always be waiting for him.