Arab American Heritage Month - Books for Children

National Arab American Heritage Month is a month-long celebration of Arab culture and the contributions of Arab Americans in the United States.

Arab Americans are people who came from or whose ancestors came from one of twenty-two Arab nations in northern Africa or the Middle East. An Arab nation is one where people speak the Arabic language. There are twenty-two Arab nations, and the largest by population include Egypt, Algeria, Sudan, Iraq, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia. Other Arab nations include Bahrain, the Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Somalia, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

In 2021, the world’s Arab population was estimated to be about 436 million. Oregon’s Arab American community is one of the fastest growing in the U.S. with more than 31,000 Arab Americans living in Oregon.

To celebrate Arab American Heritage Month, check out one of these recommended books!

Updated April 24, 2024
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The green bicycle
Al-Mansour, Haifaa
Paper Book
In the vein of Year of the Dog and The Higher Power of Lucky, this Middle Eastern coming-of-age story is told with warmth, spirit, and a mischievous sense of humor Spunky eleven-year-old Wadjda lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with her parents. She desperately...
My name is Bana
Alabed, Bana
Paper Book
A poignant picture book memoir from Bana Alabed, the seven-year-old Syrian girl from Aleppo whose messages to the world have turned her into a global symbol and advocate for refugee rights. "I just want to live without fear." --Bana Alabed, Twitter, October 12, 2016 ...
Halal hot dogs
Aziz, Susannah
Paper Book
Musa has the perfect idea for his special Jummah treat, but things don't go according to plan. Will Musa be able to get a yummy Jummah treat for his family? Included in USA Today's 12 books for kids to read during Ramadan! "Musa's enthusiasm for...
Ten ways to hear snow
Camper, Cathy
Paper Book
A snowy day, a trip to Grandma's, time spent cooking with one another, and space to pause and discover the world around you come together in this perfect book for reading and sharing on a cozy winter day. One winter morning, Lina wakes up to silence. It's the sound of snow -- the...
Farah rocks fifth grade
Darraj, Susan Muaddi
Paper Book
Farah and her best friend, Allie Liu, are getting excited to turn in their applications to the Magnet Academy, where they both hope to attend sixth grade. But when new girl Dana Denver shows up, Farah's world is turned upside down. As Dana starts bullying Farah's little brother, Samir, Farah begins...
The cat man of Aleppo
Latham, Irene
Paper Book
The Caldecott Honor-winning true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, who in the midst of the Syrian Civil War courageously offered safe haven to Aleppo's abandoned cats.   Aleppo's city center no longer echoes with the rich, exciting sounds of copper-pot pounding and...
Daughters of the lamp
Lewers, Nedda
Paper Book
Percy Jackson meets Arabian fairy tales in this stunning middle grade fantasy debut about a girl who becomes the guardian of Ali Baba's legendary treasure. Believe in fairy tales. Sahara Rashad lives by logic. Loves science. And always has a plan...
Muhammad Najem, war reporter : how one boy put the spotlight on Syria
Najem, Muhammad
Paper Book
THE TRUE STORY OF HOW ONE BOY DID HIS PART TO END THE SYRIAN REGIME A 2024 YALSA Top Ten Great Graphic Novel for Teens * An NPR Best Book of 2023 * A 2023 NCSS Notable Social Studies Book   "Inspiring and exciting,...
The turtle of Oman : a novel
Nye, Naomi Shihab.
Ebook
ALA Notable Book: A "warm and humorous" novel of a boy's much-dreaded move from the Middle East to Michigan with his parents (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).Aref Al-Amri does not want to leave Oman. He does not want to leave his elementary school, his friends, or his beloved...
Salma makes a home
Ramadan, Ahmad Danny
Ebook
Salma the Syrian chef
Ramadan, Ahmad Danny.
Paper Book
Newcomer Salma and friends cook up a heartwarming dish to cheer up Mama. All Salma wants is to make her mama smile again. Between English classes, job interviews, and missing Papa back in Syria, Mama always seems busy or sad. A homemade Syrian meal might cheer her up, but Salma doesn't...
Tagging freedom
Roumani, Rhonda
Paper Book
Out of the revolutions across the Arab world comes this inspirational story of hope, freedom, and belonging, perfect for fans of Other Words for Home and A Good Kind of Trouble. Kareem Haddad of Damascus, Syria, never...
Wild poppies
Saleh, Haya
Paper Book
Two brothers fight to reunite amidst the turmoil of the Syrian War. Since the passing of their father, Omar has tried--and in his little brother Sufyan's eyes, failed--to be the man of his family of Syrian refugees. As Omar waits in line for rations, longing...
Nour's secret library
Tarnowska, Wafa'
Paper Book
★ "A beautiful and poignant coming-of-age book . . . Based on the author's and illustrator's personal experiences, this unique war story is full of hope and resilience that shines through even the worst of situations" - School Library Journal, starred review ...
Other words for home
Warga, Jasmine
Paper Book
New York Times bestseller and Newbery Honor Book! A gorgeously written, hopeful middle grade novel in verse about a young girl who must leave Syria to move to the United States, perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds and Aisha Saeed. Jude never thought she'd be...
The Librarian of Basra : A True Story from Iraq
Winter, Jeanette.
Paper Book
Alia Muhammad Baker's library in Basra, Iraq, has been a meeting place for those who love books for the past fourteen years. Now war has come, and Alia fears that the library--along with the thirty thousand books within it--will be destroyed forever. In this...
The magical reality of Nadia
Yu?suf, Ba?sim
Paper Book
Inspired by the author's real life experiences, this rollicking, charming novel follows sixth grade Egyptian immigrant Nadia as she navigates the ups and downs of friendships, racism, and some magic, too! Nadia loves fun facts. Here are a few about her: * She collects bobbleheads -- she...

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