The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali, illustrated by Hatem Aly
“The first day of wearing hijab is important...it means being strong” - Mama, The Proudest Blue
The first day of school is the first day of wearing a hijab for sixth grader, Asiya; and her little sister, Faizah, couldn’t be more proud. Faizah thinks that Asiya’s hijab looks like the ocean where it meets the skyline, beautiful and blue. To Faizah her sister looks like a princess, but other kids at school think the hijab is strange. Faizah witnesses some kids whisper and point at her sister, while others call Asiya names and bully her. Both girls expected something like this might happen, after all, their mother has been preparing the sisters for this day ever since they were little. “Some people won’t understand your hijab...but if you understand who you are, one day they will too” their mother explained. Together, these two sisters find new ways to be strong.
Featured on the Rise: A Feminist Book Project’s 2020 list, The Proudest Blue encourages young girls to stand strong in the face of adversity. Through Faizah and Asiya, teachers can use this story as a lesson in tolerance, cultural education, and standing firm in your faith. More importantly, it gives a chance for Muslim students to see themselves represented positively in the classroom curriculum. Too often, the American school system tells a story from the straight white male’s perspective. It is crucial for our students to embrace and be exposed to perspectives different than their own, so that they may foster a sense of empathy for all humans一not just for people who look and think like themselves.
Muhammad, I., Ali, S.K. (2019). The Proudest Blue. Boston, MA: Little, Brown and Company.
