Monday, June 27, 2016

Ramadan Reads: Books About Ramadan

Ramadan, the annual month of fasting that is part of the Five Pillars of Islam for practicing Muslims, ends on July 5. If you're interested in learning more about this observance, you've come to the right place! Let's look at our Ramadan books and books on Islam for further information:



The YA world has presented a small number of fun and thoughtful books about Muslim teenagers (including Does My Head Look Big in This? and Scarlet Undercover).  Bestest.Ramadan.Ever features fifteen year old Almira, who wants to fit in with the other students at her high school. Being Muslim (even though her family is not regularly observant), especially during Ramadan, makes that rather difficult! Dealing with a crush on a (non-Muslim) boy, being intimidated by a new Muslim student, and with the universal struggle between Westernized children and their immigrant parents puts a lot on her plate, but Almira deals with it in her entirely relatable way.




Celebrate Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr  is part of National Geographic's superb Holidays Around the World  series. Readers learn about the historical aspects of the observance, as well as the traditions surrounding the holiday.



Ten year old Lailah, newly arrived from the United Arab Emirates, is looking forward to fasting during Ramadan just like her relatives back home. But how will she tell this to her classmates in Atlanta? With help from her school librarian and teacher, Lailah explains why she will sit out lunchtime.  Lailah's Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story is a sensitively and warmly told story of new beginnings and forming new friendships. This has been a popular selection from our new books shelves for several months!

Want more? Consider these titles:



Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors (a very popular choice at our libraries ever since we received it several months ago!)



Salaam: A Muslim American Boy's Story



Where the Ghost Camel Grins: Muslim Fables For All Families of Faith

Father's Day may have come and gone, but great books about dads are year-round reads! I recently blogged about recently released children's books about fathers on the ALSC blog.

Jennifer Schultz, Youth Services Librarian, Fauquier County Public Library

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