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Our Mission

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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.)

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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.)

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Our Criteria

criteria feed soul
WE WANT TO NOURISH THE SOUL
With each turn of the page, a paradigm is shaped. What kids consume—be it words, images, or ideas—becomes a part of who they are. We mindfully choose books that build character, teach virtue, and instill in children a morality that parallels Islamic principles.
criteria feed mind
WE WANT TO NURTURE THE MIND
Language matters. Words produce thought and set the parameters for self-expression. We want to equip children with a robust vocabulary and an artful grasp of the English language so they are better able to understand the world around them, to distinguish truth from falsehood, and to articulate themselves eloquently. We do our best to choose books with language that helps shape their intellect.
criteria engaging books
AND WE WANT CHILDREN TO LAUGH ALONG THE WAY
Books should be engaging. We want kids to fall in love with reading. We want them to find intimate friends between pages—to share in the plights and joys of each character. We aim to choose books with memorable characters and stimulating story arcs that leave children pining for more.
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Our Process

process read books

WE READ

Our readers read each book cover to cover to determine if the book meets Mindful Muslim criteria. Many books may go through multiple readers to ensure quality and consistency. We categorize and tag books based on age, genre, values, and struggles to help parents find the best books to fit the needs of their child.
process rate books

WE RATE

We rate each book on virtue, language, story, and beauty, using exhaustive metrics and comprehensive checklists. Books that pass the rating requirements are recommended on our site. See our star system for more on how we rate books.
process flag books

WE FLAG

We have a detailed list of content advisories if a book we recommend includes any potentially questionable content. Books with yellow flags are still worth reading. Yellow flags help parents decide if the content is appropriate for their child.

Our Content Advisories:
Discrimination • Gambling • Gender Relations • Heavy Content • Ideologies • Language/Crude Imagery • Magic • Questionable Islamic Content • Romantic Themes • Sexual References • Substance Use • Theology/Mythology • Violence/Graphic Imagery
custom written reviews talking points blog posts

WE WRITE

Many of our books include custom written reviews, talking points, and blog posts to help parents create a meaningful learning experience for their child. Our teaching tools have been applied in real life with children to affirm practical impact.
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Our Star System

rating system virtue language story beauty
rating system virtue language story beauty
rating system virtue language story beauty
rating system virtue language story beauty
rating system virtue language story beauty
WHY WE RATE EACH BOOK

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.

rating system virtue language story beauty
HOW WE RATE EACH BOOK

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

rating system virtue language story beauty
VIRTUE - Is this the way I want my child to think and act?

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.

rating system virtue language story beauty
LANGUAGE - Is this the way I want my child to speak?

When rating language, we look for syntactic structure, vocabulary, cadence, use of rhetorical devices and overall eloquence suited to age level.

rating system virtue language story beauty
STORY - Does this story resonate with my child?

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.

rating system virtue language story beauty
BEAUTY - Does this book develop my child’s ability to recognize beauty?

When rating beauty, we look for aesthetic beauty, linguistic beauty, and poignancy. Simply said, does this book embody ihsan—harmonizing excellence.

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Who We Are

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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.