Huda Al-Marashi: Hail Mariam
Join Curious Iguana on Thursday, September 24 from 6:00-7:00 pm at C. Burr Artz Public Library to celebrate the new release from middle-grade author Huda Al-Marashi, Hail Mariam. Starting middle school is challenging enough, but when young Muslim Mariam’s sister is diagnosed with a serious lung condition, Mariam wonders if she’ll have to tackle her concerns about playing Mother Mary in a Christian play on her own. Huda will be in-conversation with fellow middle-grade author Hena Khan. Following their conversation, Huda will answer questions and sign books. Copies of Hail Mariam will be available for purchase at the event.
Location: C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701
This event is free and open to the public. We are proud to partner with Frederick County Public Libraries for this event.
For accessibility requests, email events@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event.
About the book: Hail Mariam is an interfaith Muslim take on Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret drawn from the author’s own experiences in Catholic school.
Sixth grade wasn’t supposed to be this complicated.
Iraqi American Mariam Hassan transfers to a local Catholic school and before her first day her parents remind her that she might be the first Muslim her classmates have ever met. No big deal, right? Just represent an entire religion while making new friends, keeping up with schoolwork, and figuring out who she is.
When Mariam’s younger sister, Salma, is diagnosed with a serious lung condition, her family faces endless doctor visits and sleepless nights. Mariam tries to lighten their burden and keep her own problems to herself—including the fact that she’s just been cast as Mary in the school’s Christmas nativity play.
Mariam wants to honor her faith and her new community, but she’s terrified of crossing a religious line. Can a Muslim girl be the lead in a Christian story? What will her family think? And why does she feel like every decision she makes represents all Muslims?
Mariam discovers that faith, much like friendships, isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. As she leans on her family, friends, and school community, she begins to see the power of interfaith cooperation and learns she doesn’t have to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders.
Hail Mariam is a celebration of the beauty of finding common ground.
About the author: Huda Al-Marashi writes for both children and adults. She is the author of the middle grade novel Hail Mariam and a co-author of the Walter Dean Myers Honors award-winning novel Grounded. In addition to her memoir First Comes Marriage: My Not-So-Typical American Love Story, she has contributed essays and op-eds to various anthologies and news outlets, such as the New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, and al Jazeera. She is a fellow and mentor with the Muslim Storytellers Program at Boyds Mill, formerly known as the Highlights Foundation, and she lives in San Diego, California.
About the moderator: Hena Khan has been publishing books for children for over two decades. She writes award-winning picture books, middle grade fiction, pick-your-path adventures, and graphic novels. Her stories are often centered around her culture, community, friendship, and family. Hena’s bestselling novels include Amina’s Voice and More to the Story. She is also the author of the Zayd Saleem Chasing the Dream, Zara’s Rules, and Super You! series. Hena’s picture books include Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns and Under My Hijab, and We Are Big Time is her first graphic novel. Hena lives in her hometown of Rockville, Maryland.
