By Huda Al-Marashi
New York: Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2026. Fiction. 188 pages.
Fitting in is hard enough when you're a sixth-grader, let alone if you're also the only Muslim kid at a Catholic School. Mariam's parents have always stressed that she's supposed to be the best, especially because her making a good impression will help people see all Muslims in a good light. But being the best is hard when you're in a new school and someone's already filled the role of "teacher's sunshine." Mariam finally gets a chance to shine when she's offered the role of Mary in her school's nativity play, but will she be able to reconcile the line "behold the son of God" with her own religious tenets?
I loved how Al-Marashi made a very unique situation feel universal. While not everyone has been the religious minority at a religious school, most kids have felt the need to fit in, to impress their teachers, and to please their parents. I also appreciated the sensitive way Al-Marashi approached religious differences. Mariam's parents are from two different branches of Islam and emphasize to her that those of different religious traditions can learn from one another and that there is a difference between religion and culture. Mariam also has to face the idea if God is punishing her and her family for not being perfect and learns a lot about the importance of intent in her social and religious life. Overall, Hail Mariam does an excellent job of asking difficult questions in a respectful and real way and promoting interfaith dialogue.
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