My Name Is Bilal
No. of pages 32
Reviews
A young boy wrestles with his Muslim identify in this picture book for children written by Dr. Asma Mobin-Uddin, with illustrations by Barbara Kiwak.
When Bilal and his sister Ayesha move with their family, they have to attend a new school. They soon find out that they may be the only Muslim students there. When Bilal sees his sister bullied on their first day, he worries about being teased himself, and thinks it might be best if his classmates didn't know that he is Muslim. Maybe if he tells kids his name is Bill, rather than Bilal, then they would leave him alone. Mr. Ali, one of Bilal's teachers and also Muslim, sees how Bilal is struggling. He gives Bilal a book about the first person to give the call to prayer during the time of the Prophet Muhammad. That person was another Bilal: Bilal Ibn Rabah. What Bilal learns from the book forms the compelling story of a young boy grappling with his identity.
Booklist says: "A good starting place for discussions of cultural differences, prejudice, and respect for the beliefs of others."
When Bilal and his sister Ayesha move with their family, they have to attend a new school. They soon find out that they may be the only Muslim students there. When Bilal sees his sister bullied on their first day, he worries about being teased himself, and thinks it might be best if his classmates didn't know that he is Muslim. Maybe if he tells kids his name is Bill, rather than Bilal, then they would leave him alone. Mr. Ali, one of Bilal's teachers and also Muslim, sees how Bilal is struggling. He gives Bilal a book about the first person to give the call to prayer during the time of the Prophet Muhammad. That person was another Bilal: Bilal Ibn Rabah. What Bilal learns from the book forms the compelling story of a young boy grappling with his identity.
Booklist says: "A good starting place for discussions of cultural differences, prejudice, and respect for the beliefs of others."
There are 32 pages in this book. This book was published 2005 by Boyds Mills Press .
Glen and Karen Bledsoe are teachers and freelance writers who have written several Lowell House Classics. Barbara Kiwak's credits include Classic Mysteries, Classic Vampire Stories and Creepy Classics. Asma Mobin-Uddin , of Pakistani descent, was born and raised in the United States. She lives in Columbus, Ohio. Asmamobinuddin. com.