Children's Book Suggestions | Middle Eastern & North African Heritage Month 2025

Celebrate Middle Eastern & North African Heritage Month with these books featuring a variety of the region's cultures. To find more books, view last year's picture book and chapter book lists.

Updated March 14, 2025
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Memory garden
Ghahremani, Zohreh
Paper Book
A lively afternoon together in Nana's garden is full of laughter, discovery, and connection. In lyrical text that blends past and present, Memory Garden takes us to the places we leave behind but never forget. Written and illustrated by a loving mother daughter duo, the nostalgic...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

The boldest white : a story of hijab and community
Muhammad, Ibtihaj
Paper Book
In this call to bravery from Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad, Faizah learns to overcome her fears and stand in front of the crowd in this beautiful celebration of family, fencing, and community.   Faizah loves being part of the community at her mosque, and...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Safiyyah's war
Khan, Hiba Noor
Paper Book
Inspired by the true story of how the Grand Mosque of Paris saved the lives of hundreds of Jews during World War II, this breathtaking tale of suspense, compassion, and courage stars an extraordinary young heroine readers will never forget. "A riveting read for children and adults alike." -...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

The queen of Ocean Parkway
Tash, Sarvenaz
Paper Book
An 11-year-old podcaster-turned-sleuth teams up with the new kid in the building to find their missing neighbor! A captivating adventure perfect for fans of When You Reach Me and Only Murders in the Building. Eleven-year-old Roya is the superintendent's kid in...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

A strange thing happened in Cherry Hall
Warga, Jasmine
Paper Book
From the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of A Rover's Story and Other Words for Home comes an extraordinary story about two friends, a ghost, a missing painting, and a turtle named Agatha. The perfect next read for fans of The Swifts, Kate DiCamillo, and Erin...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Almost sunset
Algarmi, Wahab
Paper Book
In a contemporary middle grade graphic novel debut that Gene Luen Yang calls "funny, endearing, and an intimate look at a Muslim family," Almost Sunset follows a young Muslim American boy during Ramadan as he finds the balance between his family traditions and his secular middle school life....

Young Teen Graphic Novel (Grades 5-7)

Rumi : poet of joy and love
Kheiriyeh, Rashin
Paper Book
"Enthralling" -Kirkus Reviews, starred review "Kheiriyeh transforms a distant and revered figure into a warm, bright focal point in this biography" -School Library Journal, starred review "Be a friend to everyone." Rumi's words are needed now...

Children's Nonfiction (Age 4-8)


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