YA Novels
An unforgettable, heartwarming, and hilarious coming-of-age story about faith, family, all kinds of love, and a Black Muslim teen pursuing an ordinary goal in an extraordinary time.
★ “A powerful, affirming novel about faith, agency, and the courage to build the life you want.” —Kirkus, starred review
Being a Black kid in an elite school is not easy, but it’s a privilege. It is a path to “success.” What kind of success, though? And what price do you have to pay for it?
Featured in People Magazine
as a must-read for fall 2023
★ “An electric debut; a must-read for all.”
—Kirkus, starred review
Forthcoming Picture Books
STEP ON BOARD: SCULPTING A MEMORIAL TO HARRIET TUBMAN
Illustrated by Ekua Holmes
(Knopf, 2027)
The daughter of a sculptor watches her mother puzzle through designing a work of art that honors the life of an American heroine.
Based on my experience watching my mother, the late sculptor Fern Cunningham-Terry, sculpt Boston’s first memorial to a woman on city property, this picture book combines the stories of Harriet Tubman’s life, an artist’s journey, and a child’s inspiration.
ANSWERED PRAYERS
Illustrated by Charly Palmer
(Knopf, 2027)
This nonfiction picture book is a lyrical introduction to the presence, resistance, resilience and influence of Muslims of African descent in the Americas.
TO KNOW BY HEART
Illustrated by Daniel Minter
(Salaam Reads, 2027)
A picture book introduction to Umar ibn Sayyid (Omar ibn Said), a West African scholar who was captured and enslaved in the US, where he wrote his autobiography in Arabic.
Writing Advice
Editorial: Books I have acquired / edited at Barefoot Books
