Books with Muslim characters for primary school children

My Life Out Loud Life: Mayhem Mission

These joyous books, written by Muslim authors, show Muslim characters living their lives, having adventures and being loved by their families. We've included some inspiring non-fiction titles too.

  • Meet the Maliks, Twin Detectives The Cookie Culprit

    Meet the Maliks, Twin Detectives: The Cookie Culprit

    Author: Zanib Mian Illustrator: Kyan Cheng
    Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
    Interest age: 6-7
    Reading age: 7+

    Can Maysa and Musa solve the mystery of who destroyed the competition cookies? Relatable and funny, this is a story about everyday family life, with a gentle mystery and a BIG lie at the heart of it. 

  • Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet

    Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet

    Author: Zanib Mian Illustrator: Nasaya Mafaridik
    Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
    Interest age: 8-11
    Reading age: 8+

    Planet Omar has all of the everyday life family drama and silly humour of Tom Gates and Sam Wu, and it's wonderful to read a funny book for kids featuring a Muslim family.

  • My Life Out Loud Life: Mayhem Mission

    My Laugh Out Loud Life: Mayhem Mission

    Author: Burhana Islam Illustrator: Farah Khandaker
    Publisher: Knights Of
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 8+

    At the heart of this amusing diary-style novel is the story of Yusuf - a little boy who is sad that his beloved big sister is leaving home, perhaps especially so because Affa has been his closest support in a single parent household. Readable, relatable and accessible to all.

  • Saffiyah’s War

    Safiyyah’s War

    Author: Hiba Noor Khan
    Publisher: Andersen Press
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 10+

    Focussing on the experiences of a small group of individuals, Safiyyah’s story shines a spotlight on an under-recognised pocket of resistance from World War II when hundreds of Jews were led to safety via underground passages from the Grand Mosque in Paris.

  • Barakah Beats

    Barakah Beats

    Author: Maleeha Siddiqui
    Publisher: Scholastic
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 9+

    Nimra battles to understand her interpretation of Islam and whether it allows her to sing in a band or not. It is refreshing to find a book written by an author who understands the complexity of relationships between three generations from a Muslim immigrant heritage. 

  • My Story: Noor-un-Nissa Inayat Khan

    Noor-un-Nissa Inayat Khan

    Author: Sufiya Ahmed
    Publisher: Scholastic
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 9+

    This is the incredible true story of Noor Inayat Khan, a Muslim woman who spied for Britain during the Second World War. Noor is written by Sufiya Ahmed as a brave and fiercely impassioned young woman, painting her life with meticulous detail and a realistic first person voice.

  • The front cover of Agent Zaiba Investigates: The Smuggler's Secret

    Agent Zaiba Investigates: The Smuggler’s Secret

    Author: Annabelle Sami Illustrator: Daniela Sosa
    Publisher: Little Tiger
    Interest age: 9-12
    Reading age: 9+

    This is a classic detective adventure with a very up-to-date attitude, which children will love for all the same reasons their parents loved the Famous Five and Nancy Drew, but which also provides positive role models and a realistic picture of today’s society.

  • Llama Out Loud

    Llama Out Loud

    Author: Annabelle Sami Illustrator: Allen Fatimaharan
    Publisher: Farshore
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 8+

    Yasmin is the quiet one in a really loud family, until Levi the magic toy llama comes along and forces everyone to listen to her.

  • Amazing muslims who changed the world

    Amazing Muslims Who Changed the World

    Author: Burhana Islam
    Publisher: Puffin Books
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 9+

    A beautifully illustrated book packed with information about incredible Muslimswho’ve made an impact on the world. Covering centuries of history and different countries across the world, this will appeal to fans of real-life stories. 

  • Once Upon an Eid Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices.jpg

    Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices

    Author: Various (Editor: S. K. Ali and Aisha Saeed) Illustrator: Sara Alfageeth
    Publisher: Amulet Books
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 7+

    Fifteen stories of joy, showcasing the Eid traditions of kindness, generosity and delicious food that many Muslim families follow. A book to treasure, for readers from every walk of life.

  • You Must Be Layla book cover

    You Must Be Layla

    Author: Yassmin Abdel-Magied
    Publisher: Penguin
    Interest age: 9-12
    Reading age: 9+

    Layla's first week at her new school isn't going well - she's the only child there to wear a Muslim headscarf, and she's already been suspended for fighting back against a bully. Can Layla win the robotics competition and prove what she's made of? This laugh out loud story is about making friends, finding your way in the world, and is a great introduction to…

  • Fight Back

    Fight Back

    Author: A.M. Dassu
    Publisher: Scholastic
    Interest age: 10-14
    Reading age: 10+

    When a terrorist attack happens at a local concert, Muslim schoolgirl Aaliyah finds herself and her family the target of racist bullying and abuse. Can she fight back against the tide of hatred?

  • I am Malala

    I am Malala

    Author: Malala Yousafzai
    Publisher: Hachette Children's Group
    Interest age: 13+
    Reading age: 13+

    This is the real life story of one of the most incredible and inspirational young people in the world. Reading this book might just change the way you think and feel.