Summer reading selections for Muslim Children:

 

Some things to look for:

Science, math mysteries, almanac, books about home country, folk tales from home countries, make and do books- - crafts.

 

Some of my personal favorites:

 

Science in Early Islamic Culture by George Beshore

 

Mathematicians are people too.  By Luetta and Wilbert Reimer

 

The History of Counting by Denise Schmandt Besserat

 

Mistakes that Worked by Charlotte Foltz Jones

 

 

Some questions to ask yourself:

 

            What do you feel is acceptable for your family or child:  ie fantasy, mystery, animals as “friends”, magic such as Harry Potter.

 

            How can you deal with these issues with your children if you choose to use them?

 

            How can you find out about specific books- - -local library online, online, friends

 

1.               Some libraries do have Islamic materials.  If your does not, check with the library board to see if they will either order some or accept some as donations.

 

2.               Check with children’s librarians.  Parents with different religious backgrounds also are looking for moral materials.  Many librarians are very well read and can guide you and your children to decent materials.

 

3.               Pre-school, Kindergarten and First Grade

a.       Picture books

                                                              i.      Graem Base, Anamailia

                                                            ii.      I spy books by Walter Wick

                                                          iii.      It looked like Spilt Milk, by Charles Shaw

                                                           iv.       

b.       early readers “easies”

                                                              i.      Dr. Seuss  The Sneeches

                                                            ii.      Little Bill series by Bill Cosby

1.      The Meanest Thing to Say

2.      The Best Way to Play

3.      The Treasure Hunt

c.       chapter books to read or be read

                                                              i.      Runaway Ralph, series by Beverly Cleary

 

                                                            ii.      Jigsaw Jones Mysteries by James Prller (The Case of the Marshmallow Monster)

                                                          iii.      Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, by Betty McDonald

                                                           iv.      Uncle Wiggly by Howard R. Garis

 

d.  Enormous Crocodile by Ronald Dahl (Willy Wonka) 

The enormous crocodile devises secret plans and a few clever tricks to secure his lunch only to have them foiled by his neighbors.

 

4.               2nd 3rd and 4th

a.      My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannet

                                                              i.      Elmer rescues a mistreated dragon.

                                                            ii.      The dragon helps Elmer find his way home

                                                          iii.      The dragon is lonely for his family

b.      Muggy Magie (hates writing cursive) by Beverly Cleary

c.      Freckle Juice by Judy Blume

d.      Hatchet, the River by Gary Paulson

e.      The Westing Game (mystery), by Ellen Raskin

The mysterious death of an eccentric millionaire brings together an unlikely assortment of heirs who must uncover the circumstances of his death before they can claim their inheritance

f.        Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

The story of two dogs and a boy

g.      Midwives Apprentice (life in the Middle east) by Karen Cusman In medieval England, a nameless, homeless girl is taken in by a sharp-tempered midwife, and in spite of obstacles and hardship, eventually gains the three things she most wants: a full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world.

h.      The Stories Huey Tells, The Stories Julian Tells, and More Stories Huey tells by Ann Cameron.

5.               5th, 6th and 7th

a.      The Borowers, by Mary Norton 

                                                              i.       Books in this series: Book 1. The Borrowers -- Book 2. The Borrowers afield -- Book 3. The Borrowers afloat -- Book 4. The Borrowers aloft -- Book 5. The Borrowers avenged.
A family of tiny people live underneath the boards of an English home and "borrow" what they need

b.       With every drop of blood (civil war novel), by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

                                                              i.      Historic fiction.
While trying to transport food to Richmond, Virginia, during the Civil War, fourteen-year-old Johnny is captured by a black Union soldier.

c.        April Morning by Howard Fast

(Revolutionary War novel) 

 

 

 

DON’T FORGET TO USE THE WEB.  THERE ARE MANY SITES THAT HAVE CHILDRENS STORIES. 

 

PROPHET STORIES IJAMAAT.ORG/ISLAM

QUIZES AND STORIES  .ALBALAGH.NET/KIDS

 

 

 

 

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