Our Mission
MUSLIM READERS
ONE BOOK AT A TIME
Mindful Muslim Reader recommends books that extol classical ideals and set children on a path to recognize what is good, what is true, and what is beautiful—books that build the rational mind and fortify the spiritual heart. We believe every book we recommend is a book worth reading.
The books we recommend come from a wide variety of authors. Some showcase Muslim protagonists, while many do not. We choose books based on quality, and how well each book develops a child's ability to think Islamically: books that shape the Islamic mind beyond the Muslim identity. (For more on that read here.)
ELEVATING YOUNG
MUSLIM READERS
ONE BOOK AT A TIME
Mindful Muslim Reader recommends books that extol classical ideals and set children on a path to recognize what is good, what is true, and what is beautiful—books that build the rational mind and fortify the spiritual heart. We believe every book we recommend is a book worth reading.
The books we recommend come from a wide variety of authors. Some showcase Muslim protagonists, while many do not. We choose books based on quality and how well each book develops a child's ability to think Islamically: books that shape the Islamic mind beyond the Muslim identity. (For more on that read here.)
Our Criteria
Our Process
WE READ
WE RATE
WE FLAG
WE WRITE
Our Star System
There are four elements that make a book worth reading: virtue, language, story, and beauty. Sometimes a book may be excellent in one category and lacking in others, but we believe it is still a book worth reading.
Each book we recommend must rate a 3 or above in at least two of the following categories, while maintaining a certain level of Islamic morality as a base criterion.*
*Books rated 2 or below in the virtue category are not included in our booklists
When rating virtue, we look at the extent to which the book extols Islamic morality, whether it is purpose driven, and if it espouses classical ideals.
When rating language, we look for syntactic structure, vocabulary, cadence, use of rhetorical devices and overall eloquence suited to age level.
When rating story, we look at the integrity of plot structure, the depth of characters, the palpability of the book's conflict and resolution, and the lure of its setting.
When rating beauty, we look for aesthetic beauty, linguistic beauty, and poignancy. Simply said, does this book embody ihsan—harmonizing excellence.
Who We Are
We are readers. We are educators. We are mothers.
We are Muslim mothers. And we want our children to step out of the culture of “watch” and step into the tradition of READ—iqra.
But what to read?
Gone are the days when children can peruse the book aisles free from a barrage of propaganda, advertisements, or ideological indoctrination. Children’s books no longer automatically qualify as a means to elevate thought, let alone a means to build the moral mind.
So we read...and read and read.
We sift.
We review.
And then, we recommend.
Our Team
A California native, Uroosa cherishes the time she spends reading aloud to her two children. She’s always searching for beautiful books with simple, enriching stories, memorable characters, and valuable lessons. Uroosa has taught language arts, math, science, and history to elementary and middle school students for many years. Before that she worked as a software developer for a Silicon Valley tech company. She brings her experience and passion in education, tech, and motherhood together to help Mindful Muslim Reader thrive.