Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month

Books

Early readers/Elementary (Ages ~2–8)

A Lunch Can Teach a Bunch – A girl learns to take pride in her culture when sharing her Middle Eastern lunch sparks curiosity and acceptance at school. (George Jreije; ages 4–8)

A Perfect Day in Lebanon – A joyful picture book that travels through Lebanon’s foods, landmarks, and cultural traditions. (Jamal Saeed; ages 3–8)

Baking Bread with Jiddo – A warm intergenerational story about family bonding through baking traditional Arab bread. (Anne Laurel Carter; ages 4–8)

Behind My Doors – The world’s oldest library tells its own story, celebrating knowledge, dialogue, and history. (Hena Khan; ages 4–8)

Easter in Ramallah – A child reflects on Easter traditions shared by Palestinian Christian and Muslim families. (Jack A. El‑Hayek; ages 4–8)

Little Ricky Explores Morocco – A playful cultural adventure through Morocco’s sights and flavors. (Ricky Raad; ages 3–7)

My Father’s Shop – A market adventure that introduces children to multilingualism and cultural exchange. (Saneeha Menon; ages 4–9)

Naseem’s Journey – A heartfelt story about family, travel, and belonging between two homes. (Peggy Garvin; ages 4–8)

One Wish – The inspiring true story of Fatima al‑Fihri, founder of the world’s oldest university. (Nahid Kazemi; ages 4–8)

Our World: Egypt – A board book celebrating Egyptian daily life and language for young children. (Aya Khalil; ages 2–5)

Teta’s Thoub – A girl learns how her grandmother’s embroidered dress holds family history and identity. (Uneira Atani; ages 3–7)

The Ghoul – A suspenseful introduction to Arab folklore through a mysterious encounter. (Taghreed Najjar; ages 3–8)

Tunjur! Tunjur! Tunjur! – A humorous Palestinian folktale about consequences and responsibility. (Margaret Read MacDonald; ages 4–8)

When Za’atar Met Zeit – A charming food story celebrating Arab flavors and togetherness. (Jaleo Books Collective; ages 3–7)

Arab Arab All Year Long! – A lively picture book celebrating Arab traditions, holidays, and everyday life throughout the seasons. (Cathy Camper; ages 3–7)

The Book That Almost Rhymed – A playful introduction to language and storytelling through a tale that creatively resists perfect rhyme. (Omar Abed; ages 4–8)

Where Butterflies Fill the Sky – A poetic and joyful celebration of life, memory, and Arab cultural heritage. (Zahra Marwan; ages 4–8)

Middle Grade (Ages ~8–12)

A Kid’s Guide to Arab American History – An interactive nonfiction book introducing the diverse histories, cultures, and contributions of Arab Americans. (Yvonne Wakim Dennis & Maha Addasi; ages 9–12)

Baba, What Does My Name Mean? – A Palestinian child uncovers the meaning of her name through a poetic journey to her homeland. (Rifk Ebeid; ages 5–12)

Eleven Words for Love – A refugee family’s journey unfolds through Arabic expressions that define love, loss, and belonging. (Randa Abdel‑Fattah; ages 5–9)

Farah Rocks Fifth Grade – An Arab American girl faces school challenges while balancing identity, friendship, and confidence. (Susan Muaddi Darraj; ages 8–12)

Hope Is an Arrow – A beautifully told biography of poet Khalil Gibran’s journey from Lebanon to literary fame. (Cory McCarthy; ages 7–12)

Nour’s Secret Library – Two cousins build hope through books during wartime in Syria. (Wafa’ Tarnowska; ages 6–10)

Solar Story – A Moroccan community’s transformation through renewable energy told through a child’s perspective. (Allan Drummond; ages 6–10)

Stories My Father Told Me – Illustrated childhood memories of Syria and Lebanon preserve family history and culture. (Elia & Helen Zughaib; ages 10+)

The Arabic Quilt – A classroom quilt helps an Egyptian American child find belonging and pride. (Aya Khalil; ages 6–10)

The Cat Man of Aleppo – A true story of kindness toward animals during the Syrian conflict. (Karim Shamsi‑Basha; ages 6–10)

The Librarian of Basra – A true story of courage and preservation during the Iraq War. (Jeanette Winter; ages 6–10)

The Storyteller – A folktale celebrating oral storytelling and imagination. (Evan Turk; ages 7–10)

The Storyteller of Damascus – A magical story honoring tradition and change in Syrian culture. (Rafik Schami; ages 6–10)

These Olive Trees – A powerful story of displacement, memory, and connection to land. (Aya Ghanameh; ages 6–10)

Traveling Man – The adventures of Ibn Battuta introduce children to global exploration. (James Rumford; ages 5–9)

Umm Kulthum – The story of the legendary Egyptian singer who shaped Arab music and culture. (Rhodora J. Donnelly; ages 6–10)

Under the Sana’a Skyline – A Yemeni girl finds hope and resilience amid war. (Mai Al‑Nakib; ages 9–12)

We Are Palestinian – A nonfiction celebration of Palestinian culture, history, and daily life. (Reem Kassis; ages 9+)

The Magical Reality of Nadia – A girl discovers the power of stories and imagination to cope with migration and change. (Bāsim Yūsuf; ages 8–12)

Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria – A fantasy adventure rooted in Arab mythology and family legacy. (George Jreije; ages 9–12)

Young Adult (Ages ~13+)

Abu Jmeel’s Daughter & Other Stories – Traditional Arab folktales passed down through generations blend magic, humor, and moral lessons. (Jamal Sleem Nuweihed; ages 8–15)

Everything Comes Next – A poetry collection inspiring reflection, kindness, and resilience. (Naomi Shihab Nye; ages 12+)

Tagging Freedom – A Palestinian American teen explores activism and identity through graffiti art. (Rhonda Roumani; ages 10–14)

A Land of Permanent Goodbyes – A gripping novel following a Syrian refugee’s journey in search of safety and family. (Atia Abawi; ages 11–14)

The Turtle of Michigan – A lyrical story exploring friendship, faith, and growing up between cultures. (Naomi Shihab Nye; ages 10–14)

Silverworld – A fantastical quest where cultural identity and ancient magic converge. (Diana Abu‑Jaber; ages 10–14)

Home Is Not a Country – A poetic exploration of identity, adolescence, and Sudanese American girlhood. (Safia Elhillo; ages 14+)

Huda F Are You? – A graphic memoir chronicling teen life, hijab, family, and humor. (Huda Fahmy; ages 13+)

I Was Their American Dream – A graphic memoir about growing up Arab American between cultures. (Malaka Gharib; ages 14+)

Man O’ War – A lyrical novel addressing trauma, survival, and sexuality in a military family. (Cory McCarthy; ages 14+)

The Next New Syrian Girl – Two refugee teens confront secrets, survival, and self‑definition in America. (Ream Shukairy; ages 13–17)

Yara’s Spring – A young survivor of war rebuilds hope and friendship in post‑conflict Beirut. (Jamal Saeed & Sharon E. McKay; ages 12–16)