6 Great Kids Books to Read for Arab American Heritage Month

For a fantastic story of food, faith, and family, pick up Halal Hot Dogs to read for story time. It follows Musa, a young boy whose family has a special Jummah treat every Friday after Jummah prayer. When he gets to pick, his love for halal hot dogs shines through, but trying to get his favorite food results in some unexpected obstacles. A must-read, this celebration of Arab American culture and street food will make your tummy rumble! 

It’s the first day of school, and Faizah cannot wait! With her new backpack and light up shoes, she’s full of anticipation for the new year, and her older sister, Asiya, will be wearing a beautiful blue hijab for the first time. When she realizes that not everyone views the hijab as beautiful, Faizah acts in sisterly solidarity against the bullies. Lovely and full of imagination, this stunning and lyrical picture book is perfect to teach little ones about the rites of passage and how words and bullying can affect others.  

This novel-in-verse is a sweet and hopeful story about a young girl named Jude who is separated from her father and brother when she and her mom move from Syria to the U.S. This stunning portrayal of a young girl’s contemporary immigration experience is relatable, thought-provoking and completely deserving of its Newbery Honor status. 

For a high-stakes novel, Escape from Aleppo is perfect for children who like fast-paced and harrowing reads. It follows Nadia and her family as they are forced to flee Aleppo, Syria when a civil war is sparked by the Arab Spring. It captures the reality of the conflict with so much care while also shining a light on the culture and history of Syria. A great book to read together and talk about, we cannot recommend this book enough! 

Nadia is ready to start 6th grade with a bang! Fresh off summer vacation with her cousins in Egypt, Nadia is most excited about her school project celebrating the 100th anniversary of The Museum of American History. When one of her classmates starts making snide comments about her Egyptian heritage, Nadia ends up finding support from a magical Egyptian source — her ancient necklace! Filled with humor and heart, The Magical Reality of Nadia also keenly handles tough topics like prejudice and empathy that will resonate with Young Readers for years to come.

This is a quiet and beautiful story of saying goodbye to your home country to go live in another. Aref’s family is moving from Muscat, Oman to Ann Arbor, Michigan so his parents can attend graduate school, but Aref doesn’t want to go and refuses to pack his suitcase. When his mom calls his grandfather, Sidi, for help, the two of them go on adventures, and Sidi collects small stones along the way to slip into Aref’s suitcase as reminders of home. A must-read, this book explores moving, family, and immigration.