Only this year, it is also the first day of hijab for sixth-grader Asiya. The story that unfolds is relatable to many a reader - the excitement and nervousness about the start of a brand new school year. It is a precursor of what is to come in a beautifully-penned and vibrantly illustrated read by Ibtihaj Muhammad. This is the first statement on the inside front cover of the book The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hiba and Family. 2016.“The first day of wearing hijab is important. 'The Proudest Blue Activities and Comprehension Questions'. ALSC's Notable Children's Books (2020).Rise: A Feminist Book Project top ten (2020).Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth (2019).Goodreads Choice Award for Picture Books nominee (2019).The book also received the following accolades: The Proudest Blue received starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and Booklist, as well as a positive review from The New York Times. Muhammad has expressed that her experiences wearing a hijab have inspired her book, The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family. She was listed as one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influenctial People in 2016. In Rio, she won a team bronze medal as the first hijab-wearing American Olympic medalist. Muhammad was the first Muslim American Olympian to wear a hijab while competing for Team USA when she participated at the Olympic Games Rio 2016. Ibtihaj Muhammad was an American fencer born in New Jersey. As the sisters head home, Faizah can’t wait to wear her own blue first-day hijab. She follows her sister’s examples and ignores the bullies. She watches her sister continue to wear her hijab with pride.

At the end of the book, Faizah learns the bullies do not upset Asiya.

When students make unkind comments about Asiya's hijab, Faizah is shocked to see her turn away from the bullies and drop their hurtful words. Although most kids in their class are struggling to understand, Faizah and Asiya are proud of what the hijab represents in their Muslim faith and culture.įaizah spends most of the book worrying for her sister.

Asiya is celebrating her first day of wearing a hijab. The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family follows sisters Asiya and Faizah. The book is a New York Times best seller. Ali, illustrated by Hatem Aly, and published Septemby Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family is a children's picture book written by Olympic medalist and social justice activist Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K.

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