Understanding Islam:
A Selected Bibliographic Introduction
to the Law, Civilization, and Religion of the Muslim World

CHILDREN'S RESOURCES

Youth Fiction | Beliefs and Practices | History
Youth Web Sites | Adult Selections

YOUTH FICTION

A IS FOR ALLAH
by Yusuf Islam [Easy/Islam]
A wonderful window on the world of Islam with striking illustrations and color photographs, this book teaches that the letter A stands first and foremost for Allah the Almighty.

THE HUNDREDTH NAME
by Shulamith Levey Oppenheim [Easy/Oppenheim]
Salah, a boy living in Egypt, wants to lift his camel’s sadness, so he prays that the camel will learn Allah’s hundredth name, a name unknown to humans.

THE KING, THE PRINCE, AND THE NAUGHTY SHEEP
by Noura Durkee [Easy/Durkee]
Prince Sulayman teaches us the beauty and art of compromise.

MAGID FASTS FOR RAMADAHN
by Mary Matthews [J Fiction/Matthews]
Magid, an eight year old Muslim boy in Cairo, is determined to celebrate Ramadan by fasting, despite the opposition of family members who feel that he is not yet old enough.

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BELIEFS AND PRACTICES

AHADITH FOR CHILDREN
By Addul Rauf [j297.1/Ra]
A children’s version of the sayings and activities of the Prophet Muhammad, recorded by his followers and used as a guide for correct behavior.

AMERICAN ISLAM: GROWING UP MUSLIM IN AMERICA
by Richard Wormser [j297/Wo]
How does being a Muslim in America really differ from any other way of life?

AMERICAN MUSLIMS: THE NEW GENERATION
by Asma Hasan [j305.697/Ha]
Hasan shares the sheer normalcy of American Muslim life, and breaks through the common stereotypes and generalizations to talk about her intimate knowledge of the religion and the believers.

BETTER THAN A THOUSAND MONTHS: AN AMERICAN FAMILY CELEBRATION
by Hassaun Ali Jones-Bey [j297.3/Jo]
This book shares the engaging, personal story of a little girl who has questions about her family’s religious beliefs and why they differ from those of her classmates.

CELEBRATING RAMADAN
by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith [j297.62/Ho]
This very fine photo-essay presents information about Islam and the special month of Ramadan through the family life of an American fourth grader, Ibraheem.

COME TO THE SECRET GARDEN: SUFI TALES OF WISDOM
by M.R. Bawa Muhalyaddeen [j297.43/Mu]
Enter into the secret garden where all your questions can be answered in this collection of enchanting short stories.

THE FALL OF THE GIANT
by Noura Durkee [j297/Du]
A charming story about a young shepherd named Daud (David), who with the help of Allah and his simple staff and sling, demonstrates bravery and courage by single-handedly confronting Jaloot, the Giant.

ID-UL-FITR
by Kerena Marchant [j297/Ma]
Discover some of the ways Muslims around the world celebrate this joyous festival.

ISLAM
by Sue Penney [j297/Pe]
Explains the origins, teachings, and celebrations of Islam.

MUHAMMED: STORIES OF THE PROPHETS FROM THE QUR’AN
by Siddiqa Juma [j297.12/Ju]
In this collection of stories, each shares a story about a prophet from the Qur’an and describes the lives of Musa (Moses), Ibrahim (Abraham), Muhammed, Adam, and Isa (Jesus).

MUSLIM HOLIDAYS
by Faith Winchester [j394.26/Wi]
Briefly describes the beliefs of Muslims and eight of the special celebrations that are part of the Islamic faith.

TELL ME ABOUT THE PROPHET MUSA
by Saniyasnain Khan [j297/Kh]
Children will learn about the mission of Musa and what his life teaches.
(Also: Tell Me About Hajj, by the same author)

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT ISLAM?
by Shahrukh Husain [j297/Hu]
Simply and briefly discusses the beliefs, worship practices, lifestyles, sacred books and places, holidays, art, and music of this world religion.

A YOUNG MUSLIM’S GUIDE TO THE MODERN WORLD
by Seyyhed Hossein Nasr [j297/Na]
Written specifically for young Muslims, this book urges them to become familiar with their religion and to gain an understanding of the modern world from the Islamic point of view in order to respond positively to its challenges.

YUNUS AND THE WHALE
by Noura Durkee [j297.24/Du]
Yunus, a prophet charged by Allah to teach the people how to be good and fair and to love one another, is confronted with rejection when no one listens.

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HISTORY

A 16TH CENTURY MOSQUE
by Fiona Macdonald [j297/Ma]
After explaining the fundamentals of the Muslim faith, the text focuses on the construction of the grand Sulemaniyie Mosque in Constantinople in 1557.

AFGHANISTAN
by Sharifa Enayat Ali [j958.1/Al]
Describes the geography, history, government, economy, and culture of this country on the crossroads between Europe and the Far East.

THE ARAB AMERICANS
by Alixa Noff [j325.256/No]
Discusses the history, culture, and religion of the Arabs, including the factors that encouraged them to emigrate to the United States and their acceptance in North America.

THE ARABS IN THE GOLDEN AGE
by Mokhtar Mokefi and Veronique Ageorges [j956/Mo]
Describes the period when the Arabs spread their religion, art, architecture, and great knowledge of the ancient world throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

THE BLACK MUSLIMS
by William H. Banks, Jr. [j297/Ba]
An objective history of the Nation of Islam, the black nationalist organization that has inspired deep loyalty and aroused powerful controversy under the leadership of such personalities as Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, and Louis Farrakhan.

MIDDLE EAST
by Ian A. Morrison [j956/Mo]
A general survey of the Middle East with information on its geography, languages, religions, history, occupations, family life, cities, education, food, and legacies.

THE MIDEAST AFTER THE GULF WAR
by Richard Steins [j956/St]
Provides information and background on the Mideast after the 1991 Persian Gulf War, including refugee problems, environmental damage and unsettled political situations.

SCIENCE IN EARLY ISLAMIC CULTURE
by George Beshore [j509/Be]
Discusses the extraordinary scientific discoveries and advancements accomplished by the early Islamic world and their impact on Western civilization.

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YOUTH WEB SITES

CHILDREN IN THE NATION OF ISLAM
http://www.muhammadspeaks.com/Children.html
A fun, interactive Web site designed for Muslim children.

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES IN RAMADAN
http://www.submission.org/YES/child2.html
Presents poetry, an explanation of the holiday and its requirements, songs,
lessons, and activities.

ISLAM FOR CHILDREN
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/carolrb/islam/islamintro.html
Carol Rainbow’s guide to world religions includes an easily digestible guide to the fundamental beliefs and practices of Islam.

ISLAM FOR CHILDREN: MUHAMMAD
http://www.jamaat.org/islam/Muhammad.html
Describes the life of Muhammad and the beginning of Islam with other pages devoted to the religion’s history.

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