Dec27

Rooza: A Journey through Islamic Cuisine inspired by Ramadhan and Eid by Nadiya Hussain

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Rooza: A Journey through Islamic Cuisine inspired by Ramadhan and Eid by Nadiya Hussain

This 191 page, highly illustrated cookbook by a well-known chef and author sets out to be a journey around the world with recipes of beloved foods associated with Ramadhan and Eid.  The introduction shares some of the author’s personal thoughts on the time of the year, what it means to her and her family, and while I cringe when she says, “not eaten from sunrise,” seeing as fasting starts at dawn, the premise of what is to come allows the reader to learn a bit and be inspired too. I do wish that there was more about the food and it’s connection to Ramadan or the culture, but it really is more about the recipes, and the framing, not the exploration of Ramdhan or Eid, her relationship to the dishes chosen, how the recipes came about, and why they are included.

The book is not organized by appetizers, main course, and dessert, or even by ingredients: vegetables, fish, poultry, etc., it is organized arbitrarily by country, with each of the featured cuisines getting two recipes spread over a few pages with gorgeous accompanying pictures, until the Eid section where countries of origin are not attributed with the food, desserts, and snacks.

Whether you want to cook a dish from a certain country, thumb through it and be inspired by a picture, or use the index to look up a specific food or ingredient, I enjoyed reading the book cover to cover and finding dishes I soon hope to try.

 

 

Dec23

Far Away from Here by Ambata Kazi

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Far Away from Here by Ambata Kazi

This character centered book takes the lives of three young adults, and through their own interwoven points of views shares their trauma, their choices, their dreams, and their fears in a poignant book that centers Islam and the characters relationship with their faith, their masjid community, and the concept of home.  The Islam in this OWN voice love letter to New Orleans is so much a part of the characters’ lives that I found myself snapping pictures on every page to share before quitting because it was taking me out of the story. The pictures I’m sharing, as a result are arbitrary as so many beautifully spoke to me. This adult book intentionally or not, forced me to confront my own assumptions, stereotypes, faults, and guilt, while tugging at my heart to see the growth and future possibilities for Fatima, Tahani, and Saif. The three distinct pov narratives feel real, the Black Muslim perspective so important, and the living breathing role of Islam so beautifully conveyed, that I’m just in awe of this book, and didn’t want to miss a beat recommending it to others.

SYNOPSIS:

The book opens from Fatima’s perspective as she leaves Atlanta for New Orleans.  She is returning to the place of her childhood and heartache, to care for her ex fiance’s mother in her final days.  Entering the home, reliving the memories of how Wakeel was killed, and facing Mama Tayyibah’s looming death, highlight her weakened faith and force her to confront the community and friendships she left behind.

Tahani, the only daughter in a large family of boys finds herself a single mother to two little girls when she rebelled against her mother and made her own choices.  She never really left Islam though, and the community who raised her is still a part of her life, even though her own family is not.  As she tries to chart her own career dreams and balance her daily survival, she is surprised to find her childhood friend Fatima once again part of her life.

Saif, straddles two worlds: the young man learning his deen as a respected member of the masjid community, and a seasoned criminal unable to stop selling drugs.  He blames himself for Wakeel’s death, and everyone else seems to agree that it should have been him gunned down, but Allah swt is All Forgiving and with Fatima’s return, perhaps if she can find a way to forgive him, he can forgive himself.

WHY I LOVE IT:
Oh my heart. The characters and their dichotomies brought tears to my eyes multiple times.  The drug dealer teaching the hijabi grappling with Allah’s will how to do tayammum, the young mom in revealing clothes waking up for fajr and taking her girls regularly to the masjid. What is in one’s heart is for Allah swt alone, and this message forced me to face my own assumptions, stereotypes, and judgmental paradigms without didactically calling me out, and I love the book for the fictional shaking.

The beauty of the convert stories, the history of Black Muslims in NOLA, the warmth and found family of the community, completely broke me in the best way possible.  None of the characters are having identity crisis as most literature depicts it, they are fighting their nafs, and other’s expectations, and to be shown their struggles, and yearning, in the proses gentle manner warmed my heart.

I wanted some epilogue space for Baba Kareem, and I honestly tried and failed to figure out the time line as the story circles around itself numerous times in its telling. But, I hope this author keeps writing and telling the stories we need as an ummah and larger community to hear, but to also feel so deeply.

FLAGS:

There is nothing sensationalized, but there are themes of drugs, killing, shooting, death, illness, dating, rebelling, rape, children out of wedlock, disowning, judging, fear, racism, Islamophobia.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

This is too adult for middle school, I do think upper high school could handle it, but it is solidly that “New Adult” category, with characters in their twenties.  At times they have some adult stresses, or coming of age options, and/or youthful possibilities. Often in multitudes they vacillate with what they have to face, and the limited experiences they have, with family expectations and independent choices.

Dec22

Muslim Mavericks: The True Story of Maysoon Zayid, The Girl Who Can Can by Dr Seema Yasmin illustrated by Noha Habaieb

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Muslim Mavericks: The True Story of Maysoon Zayid, The Girl Who Can Can by Dr Seema Yasmin illustrated by Noha Habaieb

This 73 page, first book in the Muslim Mavericks series for early elementary readers is an informative biography on the actress/dancer/comedian/entertainer who happens to have cerebral palsy, three sisters, be born in New Jersey of Palestinian decent, and be Muslim. I could not find what other biographies the series plans to include, which is a bit disappointing, and I mention it because it is published by Salaam Reads, a Muslim imprint of Simon and Schuster, the author seems to identify as Muslim, and Maysoon Zayid is Muslim.  Yet, a side from Muslim being included when she lists off all her perceived labels, there is nothing Islamic in the book, so I’m curious what the line up or plans are for the series.  I get that it isn’t meant to be some Islamic resource guide, but in this book, in particular, it seems blaringly absent when all of the other self identifying labels are factored in to Maysoon’s dreams, her obstacles, her bag of tools to overcome her challenges….EXCEPT ISLAM.

SYNOPSIS:
The book follows Maysoon looking up to her sisters on the cusp of her first day of school, where she finds out the school will not accept her, all the way to her starring on General Hospital as an adult.  With her fighting battles to be included, finding her voice, and pivoting her dreams, readers learn about cerebral palsy, determination of Palestinians, and refusing to settle.  From her goals of being an actress, comedian, dancer, winner of the EGOT, the reader sees how having a dream and determination is often not enough, but refusing to let others define you is something that you should always fight.

WHY I LIKE IT:
I particularly love the determination and dedication Maysoon’s dad has to her care and health. Their relationship is shown to be constant and I think as a result pushes back on numerous stereotypes. I also like that glimpses of Palestine, both historical and her own time their with family is shown and credited with her strength and determination.  I just can’t figure out why nothing showing her practicing Islam, or seeing her obstacles through an Islamic lens is included, and if it is because she doesn’t, then why the repetitive use of the “Muslim” label and the flagship book in a Muslim centered series by a Muslim imprint? sigh.

Dec13

40 Hadiths for Children by Yasmin Ayub illustrated Sabahat Hareem

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40 Hadiths for Children by Yasmin Ayub illustrated Sabahat Hareem

My first thought when I received this book is that it is tiny and will get lost on the shelf, but the prodding of a friend encouraged me to give it a chance, and subhanAllah, it is a delightfully well done book that I now nightly read with my kids, reread myself, and have floating around so that my teenagers also thumb through the contents within.  Divided into four sections: Good Actions, Good Character, Worship, and Daily Life, each two page spread has an attributed hadith in Arabic with English translation opposite a page giving some relatable context, scenarios and further explanation, along with tips to put the hadith into practice.  The sweet illustrations break up the text, making it enticing to read and easy to consume.  The writing is on level for elementary, but not condescending for older readers, and the organization makes the book easy to spend time with in a variety of settings at home, school, or at masjid activities.

I particularly enjoy that the messaging is on level for today’s children in an appropriate and relatable tone.  For example, the page encouraging the covering of faults makes it clear that if someone tries to harm you or others, you should tell and NOT cover that, which is so important.  That the author is a teacher shines through throughout as little tidbits such as that allow the book to be shared independently, and don’t require that an adult provide the context and discussion for the hadith included.  I find that when I read the pages as written, my children speak after, and I get to listen. They don’t seem to have any further questions, but rather want to share what they have done or can be better at, which speaks to a book well done, alhumdulillah.

As for the “tips,” they are a mix of more generic, but on point, and some are very specific such as the visiting the sick allowing the child to immediately put into action certain behaviors, and allowing others to be regularly worked at and contemplated.

Dec13

Our Neighborhood: Radiant Ramadan by Marzieh Abbas illustrated by Anoosha Syed

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Our Neighborhood: Radiant Ramadan by Marzieh Abbas illustrated by Anoosha Syed

This adorable 26 page board book rounds out the Celebrating Islam representation in the Our Neighborhood Series and the simply rhyming words do an excellent job of conveying the joy, worship, togetherness, and daily aspects of the glorious month. Some of the lines feel a bit forced, but I really enjoyed the size and tone of the book. The illustrations are equally well done with a keffiyeh shown on a drummer, different skin tones on the characters, and smiles throughout. It is perhaps worth noting that the prayer page does seem to have the Shia rock that is used, I missed it initially thinking it was just a design on the prayer mat, but it is hard to unsee once it is pointed out. The other Islamic books in the series by the same author and illustrator are Friday Fun and Excited for Eid.

Dec12

Aya and the Star Chaser by Radiya Hafiza illustrated by Kaley McKean

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Aya and the Star Chaser by Radiya Hafiza illustrated by Kaley McKean

Most people probably don’t read as much Islamic rep fiction as I do. Add in I’m an adult reading MG, who consistently shares thoughts on books that fit a slim criteria, and the result is I’m nitpicky and hard to please.  But, because I read a lot of a very small niche genre, the stark contrast to books with Islamic representation done well, compared to those done poorly or somewhere in the middle is hard to ignore. This 213 page book has an all Muslim cast, but has very little Islam, and what is there is terribly presented. It has one Assalamualaikum, one mention of salat, a reference to shoes worn on eid, and the mother sings Quran.  Yes the characters wear hijab, but it is only ever called a headscarf, so while the pieces are there they don’t add up to much, which I predict leaves Muslim readers disappointed and non Muslim readers chalking it up to more pointless details that serve as filler, and provide no real fleshing out of the characters on the page. I forced myself to read it, the desire at page 12 when stars and meteors are used interchangeably to dnf was strong, and to the book’s credit, I was mildly rewarded with the last 65 pages or so being slightly better written. The plot holes, repetition, inconsistencies, the reliance of the mother simply refusing to answer the daughters questions, and overall surface level of the book makes it regrettable, but can I see young readers that love quirky characters, balls, royalty, and happily ever afters enjoying the read? Yes. And being there is nothing blatant in the book that would warrant you not letting them dive in, you can take my criticisms with a grain of salt, or stardust.

SYNOPSIS:
Aya and her mother, who is “stern with a big heart” live in kingdom of Alferra.  Her father has been gone for seven years, she doesn’t even know his name, as Aya and her mother, Jannah, have a strained relationship. Aya loves the ocean and the night sky and dislikes school, the only friend she has is Naznen, and on the night of the Perseids meteor shower the two girls meet in the middle of the night to watch the sky.  One star (is it not a meteor?) hits Aya and give her powers: she can shoot fire and cry flowers. Desperate for answers Aya and Jannah head to the Somerfest Ball at the palace to meet a seer.  When they do they learn of a prophecy and the remainder of the book is Aya and her mother running away to avoid the prophecy, before Aya reluctantly has no choice, but to face the villain, and thus see the prediction through.  I don’t want to spoil spoil it, but there is an Evil queen and demons of sorts with red eyes referred to as bhoots, and a battle that takes place in true fairytale format before the happily ever after occurs.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I do like that Aya is strong and determined, her strength however, is undermined by her sickness, sleepiness, and lack of determination to find the answers her mother refuses to give though, which is unfortunate.  The biggest problem with the book is the writing quality just isn’t great.  Even the religious representation aside.  Why have a whole conversation about wearing matching clothes to the ball between Aya and Naznen for Jannah to gift Aya a gown of a different color and no mention of wanting to match with her friend revisited. Why have Naznen sneak through the window just to have Aya go through the door using the spare key under the mat? Why mention a strange lady at school dismissal, that is never explained? Why is everyone scared to be out because people are missing, just to have Naznen alone, show up with Aya’s homework? I could go on and on, the book brings things up and then dismisses them using them to be page filler it seems. So many details do not provide insight in to the story or the characters or the setting, they are just random fleeting observations.

I didn’t like that the prince is described as having a “lover,” there are better less abrupt identifiers that could have been used, or perhaps in British vernacular it isn’t as pointed as it is in the US.  I also didn’t love that they bowed down to the Evil Queen Abnus. This highlights a place where an Islamic lens would have fleshed out that the characters are Muslim, not wanting to bow, as we bow to Allah swt alone, but perhaps being struck and forced.  Other easy inclusions of Islam would be seeing the meteor shower and saying SubhanAllah, being so sick from the star hitting you and asking Allah swt to heal you, asking Allah swt for strength in a dozen scenarios the book presents.  Duas before leaving the house with people going missing, it really seemed blaringly absent given the nature of the book to not have little sprinkles woven in, yet it halts the story early on to have those labels noted. It definitely could have used some polishing to make it part of the story or characters or taken out all together.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

I wouldn’t rush out to buy this book for your school, library, or home book shelf, but if you have it, there is no need to remove it.  There is not enough Islam nor literary value.  There is not even enough character development or details to show the change in the mother-daughter relationship to foster conversation.  One page they claim they have no secrets when the mother and her secrets is the bulk of the backstory, to the next page where the mother simply discloses all the letters and answers that Aya needs to move forward.

FLAGS:
Lying, sneaking out, scary evil villains, disowning, abandonment, disobeying parents, death, killing, prophecy, fortune tellers/seers, magical powers, abuse, imprisonment,

Nov25

The Slightest Green by Sahar Mustafah

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The Slightest Green by Sahar Mustafah

This adult multi generational novel weaves a narrative that will stay with the readers for the warmth and depth it explores of a fictional family that over the course of 248 pages becomes very real, and in many ways familiar through its personal focus. The book is deliberately slow as it glides through different members of the family, their backstories and different points in time. The prose highlights the plight of Palestinians but not in a didactic or call to action sort of way. The characters and their stories, and their trauma and dreams are very tied to Palestine and the occupation, but the focus on the individual and the ripple effects is what will linger. I do not know when the book was written, (it is published in November 2025) as I read a digital arc which had very minimal backmatter, but this book is set before the recent genocide and is all the more important for today’s readers in pushing back against attempted erasure of Palestinian voice, culture, and history.

Intisar is a nurse in Chicago, the only daughter of divorced parents. She lives with her mother and has not seen her father in over 20 years. Not since he left the family to return to his home in Palestine, join the resistance and after a fateful mission is forced to serve a life sentence in Gahana Prison. When he is released to live his final days before he succumbs to cancer, Intisar heads overseas to see him one last time. Her grandmother Sundus additionally needs Intisar, the only heir, to fight for her to keep her land and home, a task that Intisar is not willing to pursue. As family history is shared, daily atrocities witnessed, Intisar starts to see herself differently, and considers if she could feel at home in her father’s homeland.

Again I read an arc, but there are a few sentences that really have me hoping line edits will still occur before the final version. The book is adult, it has a Muslim drinking and serving alcohol, there is assault, sexual and physical mentioned, and yet I didn’t feel like it was sensationalized, actually felt that the author was deliberately holding back to keep the story about the family and not the larger issues. Their is quite a bit of Islam, not from every character, but it is woven in and not an identity issue. Actually one line used frequently is my only real gripe with the book. “Pray to the Prophet,” is regularly said by a few characters, so I though perhaps it is something unique to them, up until about the midpoint, where many characters start to say it and I don’t like it. It makes it clear other places that Allah swt is One and who we pray to, it has the shahada in English and verses from the Quran, so I’m guessing it is a colloquialism perhaps, or maybe a poor translation, I honestly don’t know, but it bothered me, so I am sharing.

Nov17

Muzoon: From Refugee to Leader by Muzoon Almellehan illustrated by Asma Enayeh

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Muzoon: From Refugee to Leader by Muzoon Almellehan illustrated by Asma Enayeh

Such a delight to see Muzoon’s story coming to children in the West in the form of a Step into Reading Biography. The approachable format aimed at second and third graders reading paragraphs tells Muzoon’s story with quotations from her middle grade biography, Muzoon: A Syrian Refugee Speaks Out.  From her life with extended family, playing soccer, studying and enjoying Ramadan, to the changes that turned her country unsafe and forced them to become refugees. It follows her to refugee camps trying to find routine and hope and the role education and encouraging other’s to study plays in her life.  Eventually her activism and efforts catch the attention of UNICEF and today she works as a UNICEF Global Goodwill Ambassador and travels the world advocating for education and refugees and rebuilding Syria.

Divided into eight chapters, the 48 page book shows how relatable Muzoon’s life is and how the political events forced her family to abandon all they knew.  The presentation, in both the text and the illustrations, show the unexpected and hardships Muzoon and her family face as they make their way to the refugee camps and work to adjust. The book is not graphic, but the weight is conveyed as readers also see the power education and learning has in providing hope and opportunity. In a fictional story, a protagonist using their voice for the good of society is something to cheer, to see it from a real life person in the middle of a war, is something to admire and be inspired by.

I particularly like the inclusion of Ramadan in the story and the details showing her family joyfully gathering to break their fast together, as well as conveying some details about the Islamic holiday.

Nov16

Shining Hearts: Sahabah Stories for Kids by Marium Uqaili illustrated by Mirha Asim

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Shining Hearts: Sahabah Stories for Kids by Marium Uqaili illustrated by Mirha Asim

This book contains ten Sahabah stories, five males and five females, conveyed over 121 large 9×12 pages in an easy engaging manner for elementary aged children.  The stories are told one at a time, with simple illustrations, easy to read font, and pullouts featuring engaging blurbs that increase understanding, connection, or challenge the reader to think about something further.  The conversational tone and breaking of the fourth wall helps keep the readers interested while focusing on engaging bits and not a Sahabah’s entire biography.  Inclusion of hadith and ayats and seeing that a named Shaykh has written the forward really makes this book a great one to have in one’s home to read at story time, and to keep on the shelf as a resource. 

The Sahabahs included are: Mus’ab Bin Umair, Salmaan Al-Faarisiy, Abu Dharr Al-Ghifaariy, Jafar Bin Abi Talib, Bilal Ibn Rabaah, Sumayyah Bint Khayyat, Safiyyah Bint Abdil Muttalib, Asma Bint Abi Bakr, Umm Ayman (Baraka Bint Tha’laba) Lubabah Bint Al-Harith, may Allah swt be pleased with all of them.  The first page of each section has the Sahabahs name and one line description before the story begins.  Each section concludes with a dua to Allah swt to make us like the Sahabah we have just learned about in a specific way.  The pages about the Sahabah contain what they are most known for, some attributes about them, and function as a snapshot for young children to grow familiar with these “super heroes” and how we can emulate them in our own lives.

The tone is similar to the staple Migo and Ali Prophet Stories, and proves how desperate we are for Islamic texts that appeal to our children (and how few quality English resources we have).  The pictures aren’t great, but they are sufficient, and I appreciate that there are no faces or depictions. Even an image that could be seen as Sumayyah (rA) has an arrow saying “your grandmother” so there is no confusion. The binding is a bit weak, I was warned before starting, so I read the first few times for review and picture purposes at a table, before handing to my children and reading to my youngest at bedtime.  I’d encourage wrapping the book in contact paper upon receiving it. I appreciate all the letters of approval at the start, and the simple activities at the end, and am impressed overall with the book and how it engaged my children, alhumdulillah.  

Nov7

The Land of La La La by Sana Saghafi illustrated by Azam Vazehimogadam

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The Land of La La La by Sana Saghafi illustrated by Azam Vazehimogadam

This gorgeous and powerful 36 page picture book goes back in time to a Palestine where the struggles of today are still found, along with the resilience of the people, determination of the women, ingenuity of the children, love and hope.  The book is so strongly unapologetic in its portrayal of marbles representing strategy of kids to battle the giants aka soldiers, of children being imprisoned, of the occupiers being outsmarted by the people, and the joy that persists despite the attempts of erasure. The story within a story…within a story(?), doesn’t name Palestine until the very end, after the stories at hand have wrapped up, and doesn’t disclose that it is based on a true story, except for in the blurb.  It is also worth highlighting that the book is not OWN voice or sourced.  I still am sharing though because it is positioned as happening long ago, and thus hopefully not further erasing a Palestinian voice, but rather sharing a story to prevent it from being lost.  I do not know the author, illustrator, or publishers’ intent, this is simply my view and I am happy to be corrected if I have arrogantly overstepped.  



The book starts with a lullaby lilting through the air, the la la las, connecting the women caring for their children. Mama Laya is busy so Big Brother Bilal is playing with the children, marking which soldiers have been defeated on the paper that matches the marble game in the lane. When the giants take him away the children run to find Daddy Salim.

The searching children and family find Bilal in prison, and the giants don’t speak the language of the people to be reasoned with, so they must figure out a way to free him on their own.  Mama and the children have a picnic outside the prison and secret filled lullaby conveys the plan right under the giants’ noses. With Bilal free, the women gather to teach each other a secret way to communicate, to resist, to hope, in the lullabies that they sing.

There is no religion mentioned, but the title page begins, “In the Name of God,” and numerous characters are depicted wearing hijab.  I read a digital arc and I hope the printed version has backmatter to highlight that the author is not Palestinian, when this would have taken place, and if it is accurate.  Authenticity and accuracy are important, and I hope the book clarifies what is real, what is imagined, an where the information came from.