Back to School Books for Muslims
I was often asked not to come back to a particular school because I was a bit of a troublemaker. I went to three different grammar schools in the same city, Bayonne, New Jersey, so for me, the first week of school was most exciting because I would meet new friends and be treated to new classrooms and buildings.
I went to P.G. Vroom School for my first, second, third, fifth and eighth grade; Mount Carmel Catholic School for my fourth grade (kicked out for heresy); Theodore Roosevelt School for my sixth grade and seventh grade (I had two different teachers for my seventh grade when Ms Mara threw me out for making a derogatory remark about Theodore Roosevelt).
The first week of school is a perfect time to introduce kids to some fabulous children's literature. Although one can find myriad lists of back-to-school reading for American children, sadly I could not find any suggested reading for Muslim children. To remedy this, I have compiled a list of books recommended for American children along with their suggested Islamic cognates.
To learn more about a book, click on it to be taken to Amazon.com.
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Hooway for Wodney Wat
Rodney is a shy rat who can't pronounce the letter r and consequently cannot pronounce his own name correctly for which he is mercilessly teased by his classmates. One day Rodney outsmarts a class bully and earns the respect and admiration of his classmates. An ego booster for any child who has ever been bullied or teased.
The Islamic version:
All Glory to Ahmed the Shaheed
Ahmed is a shy Iraqi fifth grader who is made fun of by his Shia classmates because he is a member of the despised minority Sunni sect. In addition, the fact that he is 17 years old and not too bright only leads to more laughter and teasing when he stumbles into class.
One day Ahmed outsmarts the entire class when he detonates a vest made by Al-Qaeda in Iraq and wipes the smile off every face in the room.
Ahmed is hailed as a hero by his friends and neighbors. An ego booster for any child who has ever been bullied or teased by the opposite sect.
Grades: Pre-school - 3rd Grade
Go Home, Mrs. Beekman
School is starting and little Emily Beekman doesn't want to go. Nothing can persuade her to go until her Mom promises to go with her every day. Emily soon discovers that school is mucho fun and immediately bonds with her teacher Sue. Emily is ready to say goodbye to Mom, but Mrs. Beekman stays no matter how many times she is told, "Go home, Mrs. Beekman!" by Teacher Sue.
A reassuring tale for any child or parent who has ever had to overcome separation anxiety.
The Islamic version:
Go Home, Crusader Invader
It's Lahore, Pakistan and madrassa is starting but Mohammed doesn't want to go. Too many of his friends have never returned from Afghanistan and Kashmir on scholarly missions.
Nothing can persuade him to go until his Mom is kidnapped, raped and threatened with death. Mohammed agrees to attend and soon discovers that school is mucho fun and immediately bonds with his teacher Mullah Abdullah. In fact, Mullah and student are bonding every day (nudge nudge, wink wink).
One day Mohammed is given the task of painting slogans such as "Go Home, Crusader Invader" on picket signs and finds that doesn't miss his mom at all.
A reassuring tale for any Muslim child or parent who has ever had to overcome separation anxiety.
Grades: Pre-school - 1st Grade
Miss Nelson Is Missing!
The students in Miss Nelson's class are unruly and disrespectful. One day Miss Nelson devises a scheme to disappear so that substitute teacher "Viola Swamp" has to take over. In short order Ms Viola Swamp, an ugly and mean teacher, yells at them, bombards them with extra homework and lessons and even takes away their story time. Eventually Miss Nelson returns and discovers that her class is now filled with students who appreciate her for the wonderful teacher she is.
An excellent story that teaches a moral lesson on appreciating those who only want to help others become better educated and have a good life.
The Islamic version:
The Aid Worker is Missing
Kandahar is a rather boring place unless you like constant rockets, buzzing flies, whirling dust, and the smell of sewage and rotting garbage. The bald-headed boys (it's an Afghan tradition ) in Abdul Aziz's class are bored. One day Mr. Aziz devises a scheme to excite his students by kidnapping and torturing a local aid worker.
So one day before class starts, Mr. Aziz has his boys kidnap a U.S. female aid worker, a 49-year-old woman, named Cindy Mizzel. In short order the boys are yelling and pelting Ms Mizzel with their shoes.
The boys chortle with glee as they listen to the news that no group took responsibility for the kidnapping. Ha, ha, there is no specific terrorist group, just a bunch of Muslim students.
Ms. Mizzel works for the Asian Rural Life Development Foundation which has many projects around the city of Kandahar including food for work, irrigation rehabilitation, health care and restoration projects. She taught English language lessons at the university and embroidery lessons at a girl’s school.
An excellent story that teaches a moral lesson on appreciating those who only want to help others become better educated and have a good life.
Grades: Pre-school - 2nd Grade
Lost in the Tunnel of Time
Four African-American middle school students who call themselves the Black Dinosaurs discover tunnels under their school were part of the Underground Railroad. Using an old map that shows a secret passage the Black Dinosaurs make plans to explore them. When a trapdoor slams shut behind them they are forced to plunge deeper and deeper into the darkness. Where will the tunnel lead them? Will the old, crumbling walls hold? Will they make it to the end?
An excellent mystery story that helps children appreciate history.
The Islamic version:
Lost in the Tent of Time
Four African middle school students discover tunnels under their school near the Gaza-Egypt border. When a trapdoor slams shut behind them they are forced to plunge deeper and deeper into the darkness. As soon as they come upon a cache of weapons and explosives they are captured by Hamas soldiers and quickly sold to North African slave traders.
They soon find themselves under a desert tent in the Sudan where they discover that Arabs have been selling black slaves even onto modern times. Will they be split up? Will they be sold as child soldiers for the Darfur conflict? Will they make it beyond their teens?
An excellent mystery story that helps children appreciate history.
Grades: 3 to 5
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