Hail Mariam
Written by Huda Al-Marashi
Published by Kokila
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.
Primary ISBN: 9798217112968
Publication Date: February 2026
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older
Community Represented: Iraqi/Iraqi American
Themes: Celebrations, Celebrations: Christmas, Coming of Age, Cross-Group Friendship, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Celebrations & Traditions, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Discrimination: Cultural, Discrimination: Microaggression, Discrimination: Religious, Education & Literacy, Family Relationship: Parents, Family Relationship: Siblings, Format: Audiobook, Generation: 1st, Generational Differences, Identity: Exploration, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Religious Background: Christian, Religious Background: Muslim, Trauma & Healing, Trauma & Healing: Illness, Welcoming by School
Setting: United States
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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