Hena Khan

Hena Khan is a Pakistani-American author for children and young adults from Rockville, MD. She has written "choose your own adventure" books, as well as books highlighting her culture and religion, such as Night of the Moon, It's Ramadan, Curious George, Golden Domes and Silver Laterns, Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets, and Amina's Voice. She also has written a series about a young basketball player inspired by her sons, Zayd Saleem: Chasing the Dream. Hena is a frequent guest at schools, where she talks about her writing and her books, as well as about her experiences as an American Muslim. See more from Hena in our Facebook Live interview with her!

Books by This Author

Amina's Song

Amina's Song

It's the last few days of her vacation in Pakistan, and Amina has loved every minute of it. The food, the shops, the time she’s spent with her family — all of it holds a special place in Amina's heart. Now that the school year is starting again, she's sad to leave, but also excited to share the wonders of Pakistan with her friends back in Greendale. After she's home, though, her friends don’t seem overly interested in her trip. And when she decides to do a presentation on Pakistani hero Malala Yousafzai, her classmates focus on the worst parts of the story.

Amina's Voice

Now that Amina is in middle school, everything feels different. Does Amina need to start changing too? Or hiding who she is to fit in? While Amina grapples with these questions, she is devastated when her local mosque is vandalized. Amina’s Voice brings to life the joys and challenges of a young Pakistani-American and highlights the many ways in which one girl's voice can help bring a diverse community together to love and support each other.

Bounce Back (Zayd Saleem: Chasing the Dream series)

By: Hena Khan
Language: English

Zayd has a plan. He’s ready to take the reins as team captain of the Gold Team. But when an injury leaves him on the sidelines, his plans get derailed. Can Zayd learn what it means to be a leader if he’s not the one calling the shots?

Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes

Illustration of children in front of mosque
By: Hena Khan
Illustrated by: Mehrdokht Amini
Age Level: 3-6

From a crescent moon to a square garden to an octagonal fountain, this breathtaking picture book celebrates the shapes—and traditions—of the Muslim world. Sure to inspire questions and observations about world religions and cultures, Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets is equally at home in a classroom reading circle and on a parent's lap being read to a child.

Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors

Illustration of young girl in front of Mosque
By: Hena Khan
Illustrated by: Mehrdokht Amini
Age Level: 3-6

With breathtaking illustrations and informative text, Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns magnificently captures the world of Islam, celebrating its beauty and traditions for even the youngest readers. Sure to inspire questions and observations about world religions and cultures, this entrancing volume is equally at home in the classroom as it is being read to a child on a parent's lap.

I Am the Night Sky: And Other Reflections by Muslim American Youth

Photo of a young woman in a head scarf

During an era characterized by both hijabi fashion models and enduring post-9/11 stereotypes, ten Muslim American teenagers came together to explore what it means to be young and Muslim in America today. These teens represent the tremendous diversity within the American Muslim community, and their book, like them, contains multitudes. Bilal writes about being a Muslim musician. Imaan imagines a dystopian Underground. Samaa creates her own cartoon Kabob Squad. Ayah responds to online hate.

It's Ramadan, Curious George

By: Hena Khan
Age Level: 0-3

It's the first day of Ramadan, and George is celebrating with his friend Kareem and his family. George helps Kareem with his first fast and joins in the evening celebration of tasting treats and enjoying a special meal. Then, George helps make gift baskets to donate to the needy, and watches for the crescent moon with the man in the yellow hat. Finally George joins in the Eid festivities to mark the end of his very first Ramadan. 

Night of the Moon

By: Hena Khan
Illustrated by: Julie Paschkis
Age Level: 6-9

One evening, Yasmeen's mother pulls aside the curtain and tells her daughter to look at the thin crescent moon. In the Islamic calendar, she explains, it is a month of new beginnings — Ramadan. Each night, Yasmeen watches the moon change until the special Night of the Moon celebration. Vibrant illustrations convey the magic of Ramadan and its special traditions.

On Point (Zayd Saleem: Chasing the Dream series)

By: Hena Khan
Age Level: Middle Grade (9-14)
Language: English

Now that Zayd has made the Gold Team, he’s hustling hard and loving every minute of the season. But when team starts to struggle, Zayd can’t help wondering if it has something to do with him. Even worse, his best friend Adam suddenly starts acting like he doesn’t care about basketball anymore, even though they are finally teammates. He stops playing basketball with Zayd at recess and starts hanging out with other kids. Then, Adam up and quits the Gold Team to play football instead.

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