Islamic New Year Muslim Book Recommendations: Titles for Adults, YA, MG, and Children

Happy Islamic New Year 1445! Today is the first day of Muharram (first month of the lunar, Islamic calendar).

The Islamic New Year, also known as Hijri New Year, is a time for celebration and reflection. It marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle.

To celebrate this special occasion, I'm sharing a list of book recommendations by Muslim authors from our Bookshop.org shelves. These books are sure to inspire and entertain you, and they'll give you a deeper understanding of Islamic culture and history. It's a win/win! So order today or review your shelves and take some time to read Muslim representation this month.

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ADULT TITLES:

• Our Ancestors Did Not Breathe This Air by Afeefah Khazi-Syed, Aleena Shabbir, Ayse Angela Guvenilir, Maisha Munawwara Prome, Mariam Eman Dogar, and Marwa Abdullhai: Six Muslim women. One poetry collection exploring family, identity, and homeland. The poems in this collection are accompanied by full-color illustrations and photographs.
• Un-America by Hafizah Augustus Geter: The daughter of a Nigerian Muslim woman and a former Southern Baptist black man, Geter charts the history of a black family of mixed citizenships through poems imbued by migration, racism, queerness, loss, and the heartbreak of trying to feel at home in a country that does not recognize you.
• Halal If You Hear Me: The Breakbeat Poets Vol 3 by Fatimah Asghar and Safia Elhillo: A BreakBeat Poets anthology of writings by Muslims who are women, queer, genderqueer, nonbinary, or trans..

YOUNG ADULT TITLES:

• You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen: In this compelling and thought-provoking debut novel, after a terrorist attack rocks the country and anti-Islamic sentiment stirs, three Black Muslim girls create a space where they can shatter assumptions and share truths.
• Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin: A modern-day Muslim Pride and Prejudice for a new generation of love. 
• Between Two Moons by Aisha Abdel Gawad: A gorgeously written, intimate family story and a polyphonic portrait of life under the specter of Islamophobia, Between Two Moons challenges the reader to interrogate their own assumptions, asking questions of allegiance to faith, family, and community, and what it means to be a young Muslim in America.
• Huda F Cares? by Huda Fahmy: In this laugh-out-loud funny sequel to the graphic novel Huda F Are You?, the Fahmys are off to Disney World, but self-conscious Huda worries her family will stand out too much.

MIDDLE GRADE TITLES:

• The Kaya Girl by Mamle Wolo: This rags-to-riches story by an award-winning Ghanaian author has page-turning appeal with luminous literary resonance. This is a gorgeously transporting work, offering vivid insight into two strikingly diverse young lives in Ghana.
• Grounded by Huda Al-Marashi: Four kids meet at an airport for one unforgettable night in this middle-grade novel by four bestselling and award-winning authors. Told in alternating points of view, Grounded tells the story of one unexpected night that will change these kids forever.
• Once Upon An Eid by Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices: This joyous short story collection by and about Muslims, about diverse Eid celebrations. 
• Amina’s Voice and Amina’s Song by Hena Khan: In the companion novel to the beloved and award-winning Amina's Voice, Amina once again uses her voice to bridge the places, people, and communities she loves--this time across continents.

Children’s TITLES

• Planet Omar Ultimate Rocket Blast by Zanib Mian: The first book in the exciting middle-grade series starring a Muslim boy with a huge imagination! Omar's funny, relatable narrative is the perfect answer to the call for both mirrors and windows to fill bookshelves with diverse stories.
• Under My Hijab by Hena Khan and Aaliya Jaleel: With cheerful rhyming text by the author of Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns, and charming illustrations from a talented newcomer, Under My Hijab provides a friendly introduction to hijabs for all readers, and celebrates the many Muslim women and girls who choose to wear them.
• In My Mosque by M. O. Yuksel: Step in and discover all the rituals and wonder of the mosque in this lyrical debut picture book.
• Sadiq and the Community Garden by Siman Nuurali: This young reader chapter book follows the story of Sadiq, a young Muslim boy who helps to build a community garden. 

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Check out these inspiring stories and many more on our “Muslim Authors & Representation” shelf at Bookshop.org to celebrate the Islamic New Year. Shop our shelves and support our indie bookstore.