My Name Is Bilal (2005)

My Name Is Bilal by Asma Mobin-Uddin (2005) is the story of two Muslim siblings who encounter ridicule upon entering a school new to them. “Bilal wished his family had never left Chicago. At his old school, there had been lots of Muslim kids. Here, it seemed there were none.” As one might expect, there’s an aggressive bully at this school. He mocks the headscarf that Bilal’s sister, Ayesha wears. Bilal is so afraid that he tells the class his name is Bill. However, his teacher is also Muslim and knows Bilal. This teacher gives Bilal a book about Bilal Ibn Rabah who was tormented by residents of Mecca because he would not worship their gods. The story not only inspires Bilal to stand up for his sister, but to also invite the bully to play basketball. Lastly, Bilal discovers another Muslim boy. On the final page is the salat, a special type of prayer recited five times during the day.