Young adult books, no matter what age you read them, are powerful pieces of literature that speak directly to the soul and awaken a spirit of excitement, renewal and hope.
You travel on a journey with the protagonists as they overcome doubts and fears and destruct and then reconstruct their identities. With the unique challenges that young Muslims face, having young adult books that speak to the experiences of Muslim children has never been more important.
We should, therefore, celebrate and recognise the achievements of the authors who produced powerful literature that centres Muslim protagonists and give them an opportunity to speak for themselves.
Whether you’re a young adult book connoisseur or a newbie, the following list has been written for you. Happy reading!
Does my Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Abdel-Fattah’s wonderfully comic novel challenges stereotypes that chronically pervade the concept of a Muslim identity. Having decided to wear her hijab full-time, Amal, a Year 11 student, clashes with biases and insults of others around her. Abdel-Fattah brings to light the overt impact of a wearing a hijab and outwardly identifying as a Muslim. Living comfortably as a teenage Muslim in a post 9/11 world is no easy feat, yet Abdel-Fattah’s characterful and witty protagonist pioneers in embracing her faith despite the ‘towel head’ jibes. Ultimately, it is a novel that well depicts the teenage life whilst simultaneously dealing with sensitive issues.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Hosseini tells the story of Amir from Wazir Akbar Khan, Afghanistan as he grows from a young reckless child to an adult and faces the regretful consequences of his foolish decisions. It is set against the backdrop of furrowing political turmoil in Afghanistan, which eventually manifests into war. Much alike to the growing conflict within the country, Amir’s own friendship with Hassan, a family servant, is tested. A friendship that is inconsistent with the social hierarchy explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, sacrifice and conformity.
Tell the Truth Shame the Devil by Melina Marchetta
A fast-paced crime fiction novel that follows Bish Ortley, a suspended cop, as he solves the puzzle of the bus bomber. Bish tracks the named suspect, a 17 year-old girl from one of London’s most notorious families. To do so, he must delve deeper into the lives of the girl’s cunning and evasive family. Estranged from his daughter, who was aboard the bus at the time of the bombing, Marchetta also explores the rekindling of family bonds. Expertly, around the construct of a crime, Marchetta delves into the psyches of her characters delivering a poignant story that mixes mass tragedy with personal suffering.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini
The tale follows two women with a distinct generational gap whose lives coincide in an unfortunate marriage with a brute- Rasheed. The novel traverses varying debates on the plight of women, domestic power, poverty, the importance of education and family bonds. It is once again set within an Afghanistan that seems to plunder through successive regimes each resulting in devastating mass suffering. Nevertheless, Hosseini maintains a palpable hope by the end and manifests the hardy endurance of human spirit in the wake of endless tragedy.
Love from A-Z by S. K. Ali
Suspended from school for confronting her teacher’s prejudicial behaviour, Zayneb travels to Doha, Qatar to stay with her Aunt. On the flight, she meets Adam, a college student who has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The diagnosis is the same which killed his mother and quite understandably he fears telling his father and sister of it. With their grief and anger brewing, they take to writing a ‘Marvels and Oddities’ journal for a page on which their torment can smoulder bare and uncurbed. But with the comfort of mutual understanding Zayneb and Adam deal with the impact of prejudices, loss and grief.
Bonus Recommendations
Postcolonial Banter by Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan
Suhaiymah’s debut collection of poetry delivers a thoughtful and insightful view on Muslim identity which explores themes of politics, family, and faith. The anthology is ultimately a bearing of ugly truths to power. It is an exploration of the limiting view of what constitutes a Muslim identity. Suhaiymah does not attempt to justify and prove her humanness aptly stating, ‘If you need me to prove my humanity/ I’m not the one that’s not human’. The raw and dispassionate words are an anthem for young Muslims worldwide.
A Fly Girl’s Guide to University: Being a Woman of Colour at Cambridge and Other Institutions of Power and Elitism by Lola Olufemi, Odelia Younge, Waithera Sebatindira, Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan
This is a collection of poetry, prose, memoirs and essays compiled by four Cambridge graduates on their Cambridge experience as women of colour. The writers have said, ‘The purpose of our book is simple: we believe that our lives, our experiences, and our voices matter, especially in a place of power, pervasive whiteness and exclusivity… this book exists as a testament to our existences in a place where we were often made invisible’.
The books on this list can be purchased from Amazon, W H Smith, Waterstones, Wordery and Blackwell’s.