Author Hena Khan Visits Lowell

On Tuesday, every child in the school had an opportunity to meet author Hena Khan, whose books about Islam and being a Muslim in America range from picture books to young adult novels.

 

Khan grew up in nearby Rockville, MD. She shared with students that she was an avid reader who loved nothing more than to bring home grocery bags full of books from the local library. Her favorite books were written by women and about girls—think Little House on the Prairie, Little Women, and Ramona. But, as a Pakistani-American Muslim, Khan rarely saw characters that looked like her in the books she read. When she took her own son to the library years later, there were still no books with familiar looking characters.

 

Now, she shares her culture and religion in books for children. Pre-Primary children were treated to a reading of Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors (2012) and got a sneak peek at her new book Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes (2018). Several Pre-Primary students were excited to share their own first-hand knowledge of Islam, and one student helped Khan by reciting some of the Arabic alphabet for the group.

 

In her presentation to older students, Khan highlighted her middle grade books, Amina’s Voice and the series Zayd Saleem: Chasing the Dream, which feature young Pakistani-American Muslims as central characters. Khan spoke to Primary School students about her process as a writer, including her experience completely rewriting Amina’s Voice and switching from a third-person to a first-person point of view. With Middle School students, she spoke about the development of her identity as a writer and a Pakistani-American Muslim and also about the causes and dangers of Islamophobia.

 

Khan’s visit provided both windows and mirrors for Lowell students—an opportunity to learn about themselves and the world around them in new ways.

 

It was an inspiring lead-up to Lowell’s annual Book Fair, which runs from May 15-20. We look forward to seeing you there to celebrate the many ways books enrich our lives!