Barakah Beats by Maleeha Siddiqui

12-year-old Nimra Sharif has spent her whole life in Islamic school, but is about to enrol at middle school and is feeling nervous. She is desperate to fit in but finds the popular kids avoid her because of her hijab, and her best friend Jenna isn’t the same at school. Maybe joining a band will help...

Themes: Islam, school, prejudice, music, friendship

Fight Back by A. M. Dassu

Aaliyah is an ordinary thirteen-year-old living in the Midlands - she's into her books, shoes, K-pop and she is a Muslim. She has always felt at home where she lives... until a terrorist attack in her area changes everything. Suddenly, Aaliyah’s life becomes a lot more challenging.

Themes: Islam, empathy, stereotypes, racism, friendship

Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan

War comes to the streets of Paris and Safiyyah's life changes for ever. Her best friend's family have fled, and the bombing makes her afraid to leave the mosque where she lives. But when her father is arrested by the Nazis for his secret Resistance work, it falls to Safiyyah to help out the Jews seeking sanctuary.

Themes: WW2, Islam, Paris, friendship, bravery

War comes to the streets of Paris and Safiyyah's life changes for ever. Her best friend's family have fled, and the bombing makes her afraid to leave the mosque where she lives. But when her father is arrested by the Nazis for his secret Resistance work, it falls to Safiyyah to help out the Jews seeking sanctuary.

Themes: WW2, Islam, Paris, friendship, bravery

Asha & the Spirit Bird by Jasbinder Bilan

Asha lives in the foothills of the Himalayas. When her father stops sending money from the city, she faces losing her home and her mother. Together with her best friend Jeevan, she sets out on a journey through the wilderness to find her father - sensing the spirit bird of her grandmother watching over her.

Themes: Himalayan mountains, family, spirituality, friendship

Wild Song by Candy Gourlay

The year is 1904. Luki has lived a tribal life in the mountains of the Philippines. Now she's growing up, she is expected to become a wife and a mother, but Luki isn't ready to give up her dream to become a warrior. Then her tribe are offered a journey to America to be part of the World’s Fair.

Themes: spirituality, Philippines, America, historical

Black Powder by Ally Sherrick

After taking up an offer from the Falcon to save his dad, Tom discovers the Falcon’s true mission – and a plot to blow up Parliament with barrels of black powder. Tom faces a terrible decision: secure his father’s release, or stop the assassination of the king...

Themes: historical, Catholicism, Gunpowder Plot, peril

Gatty’s Tale by Kevin Crossley-Holland

Gatty the village girl - steadfast, forthright, innocent and wise - has never been further than her own village. But when she is is picked by Lady Gwyneth of Ewloe to join her band of pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem, Gatty's previously sheltered life changes forever.

Themes: historical, pilgrimage, adventure

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

Life isn't easy for Margaret. She's moved away from her childhood home, she's starting a new school, finding new friends - and she's convinced she's not normal. She hasn't got a clue whether she wants to be Jewish like her father or Christian like her mother, and she’s a ‘late developer’.

Themes: coming of age, Judaism, Catholicism, friendship

Life isn't easy for Margaret. She's moved away from her childhood home, she's starting a new school, finding new friends - and she's convinced she's not normal. She hasn't got a clue whether she wants to be Jewish like her father or Christian like her mother, and she’s a ‘late developer’.

Themes: coming of age, Judaism, Catholicism, friendship

Once Upon an Eid by S. K. Ali (ed.)

Eid! The short, single syllable word conjures up a variety of feelings and memories for Muslims. Maybe it’s waking up to the sound of frying samosas or the comfort of bean pie, maybe it’s the pleasure of a new outfit for Eid prayers, or maybe it’s the gift giving, the holiday parties, or carnival rides to come that day.

Themes: Islam, Eid, short stories, celebrations

Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian

Omar’s parents decided it would be a good idea to move house AND move him to a new school at the same time. As if he didn't have a hard enough time staying out of trouble at home, now the class bully seems to think he’s the perfect target. At least Eid is just around the corner...

Themes: Islam, Eid, family, school, bullying, friendship