“Eid is an Arabic word meaning “celebration/feast that repeats” (i.e., that comes around each year). There are two Eids that are primarily celebrated: Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha.”

Eid Mubarak! Once Upon and Eid is a collection of short stories that showcases the most brilliant Muslim voices writing today, all about the most joyful holiday of the year: Eid! Eid can mean a lot of different things for Muslims ranging from certain types of food, gift-giving, new outfits, and holiday parties. This collection spans the middle grade and young adult age range, providing a much needed celebration of Eids that has been lacking representation, at least in English literature. These great short stories, coupled with amazing illustrations will hopefully bring some hope and joy to everyone who reads it.

Something I feel the need to mention is that all of these stories are even shorter than the average anthology stories I read, so the ever present “I just wanted more” is going to just be a given. I think it’s because some of these stories fall closer to the middle grade category and this would definitely be appropriate for the younger end of the Y.A. spectrum opposed to the older. However, I enjoyed reading this and I feel like I learned a lot.

Disclaimer: I’m not Muslim and I didn’t know much about Eids before reading this so take all of my comments about this with a grain of salt. Also, if I am wrong about something please leave me a comment to correct it. But I really did enjoy it and I hope that you will too.

Perfect by Jamilah Tompkins-Bigelow

“You are Black American and Mandinka. Both are strong cultures. Love all of you, Hawa.”

A twelve-year-old Black American hijabinista named Hawa is nervous about spending Eid-ul-Fitr with her father’s side of the family from Guinea in New York. However, after a few awkward situations it turns out better than she could have imagined.

I’m not going to lie, I had to look up information about the Mandinka. I’d never heard of them before and enjoyed learning a little about them through this story, but also online resources. I would love to read book with a Mandinka MC in the furture, so I’ll keep a look out.

Representation: Muslim and Mandinka MC

Content Warnings: None that I can think of.

Also by: Once Upon and Eid (2020) and a variety of children’s books.

Yusuf and the Great Big Brownie Mistake by Aisha Saeed

“When I was little, she had baked the brownies the night before, but for the past two years I had tweaked the tradition and baked them the day of Eid. The smell of cocoa drifting through the house had a way of making the whole day feel a little more special.”

Yusuf’s favorite thing about Eid is his families famous Eid brownies. However, when he is put in charge of the brownies this year, things don’t quite go as planned.

I though this story was really sweet and cute. There is a cute little brother/big sister dynamic here too. I’ve been sitting on Written in the Stars for years, maybe I’ll finally get around to reading it this year.

Representation: Muslim MC

Content Warnings: None that I can think of.

Also by: Written in the Stars (2015), Amal Unbound (2018), A Thousand Beginnings and Endings (2018), Our Stories, Our Voices (2018), Once Upon and Eid (2020), Yes No Maybe So (2020), Omar Rising (2022)

Kareem Means ‘Generous’ by Asmaa Hussein

“The things you give away make you happier than the things you keep for yourself.”

Kareem has been working hard for a new bike, but he embraces of the meaning of his name when he decides to share his Eid gift with his newest friend.

Generosity is one of the core values of Islam and this story is one of a few in this collection that really highlights it. I liked Kareem and if Asmaa Hussein ever writes a Y.A. book I’d be willing to check it out.

Representation: Muslim MC

Content Warnings: None that I can think of.

Also by: Once Upon and Eid (2020) and a variety of children’s books.

Don’ut Break Tradition by S.K. Ali

“Special days start when you run toward them.”

Another story where food is a central item to a family’s Eid celebration, this time it’s donuts. Nadia doesn’t think this Eid feels special because her mum is ill, but that makes her all the more determined to make it special for her mother and the rest of her family by doing the traditional donut run.

I love donuts and this made me hungry. I enjoyed the vibes of this story a lot more than the one that I had read in Hungry Hearts. This made me a little more determined to try one of her full length novels.

Representation: I believe Nadia is an Indian/Muslim MC. If I’m wrong, please let me know down below.

Content Warnings: Sick Parent

Also by: Saints and Misfits (2017), Foreshadow (2019), Love From A to Z (2019), Hungry Hearts (2019), Once Upon an Eid (2020), Misfit in Love (2021)

Just Like Chest Armor by Candice Montgomery

“It’s beige. Mama always corrects me and calls it ‘Tuscan Earth tone. With a touch of mauve.’ I prefer beige. It’s easier.”

Eleven-year-old Leila is so excited to finally be old enough to wear a hijab, however, her parents weren’t so sure.

I liked how this story goes against the idea that Muslim women are “forced” to wear hijab with how excited this young girl was to finally be old enough to wear hers. And as someone who can be very particular about colors, I enjoyed the emphasis on it in this story.

Representation: Latine/Muslim MC

Content Warnings: Another Eleven-year-old isn’t particularly culturally sensitive.

Also by: Habibi (2018), Home and Away (2018), By Any Means Necessary (2019), Once Upon and Eid (2020), Out Now: Queer We Go Again! (2020), All Signs Point to Yes (2022), Transmogrify! (2023), The Grimoire of Fates (2023)

Gifts by Rukhsana Khan

“It’s never about the gift. It’s about the love behind it.”

Idrees was excited for Eid because he loves receiving his gifts, but this year he gradually realizes that the non-material aspects of life are what really matter.

This was cute and the meaning behind it is great. Our world is very materialistic and I think kids know that the non-material is more important on a basic level, but for many it hasn’t fully permeated.

Representation: Muslim MC

Content Warnings: None that I can think of.

Also by: Once Upon and Eid (2020) and a variety of children’s books.

The Feast of Sacrifice by Hena Khan

“There’s a blend of colorful African prints, sparkling saris, leather kufis, and embroidered shalwar kameezes like mine. Everyone has happiness on their faces and is here for the same reason—to gather and feast and worship.”

Humza is in charge of his siblings while his parents make the Hajj. It’s proving to be more difficult than he thought it would be.

This was cute. It’s definitely most appropriate for a Middle Grade reader. Older readers probably won’t gravitate towards it as much. I would be willing to try out one of her Y.A. novels in the future though.

Representation: Muslim MC

Content Warnings: None

Also by: Amina’s Voice (2017), Once Upon and Eid (2020), Amina’s Song (2021)

Seraj Captures the Moon by G. Willow Wilson & Sara Alfageeh

“And may all our nights be as blessed as this.”

Seraj, and her donkey Pickles, must capture the moon to ensure that Eid starts on time.

This was a really cute tiny comic. I really wanted more. Like a lot more. I want to know more about the world and the characters. It was so cute.

Representation: Muslim MC

Content Warnings: None

Also by G. Willow Wilson: The Bird King (2019), Once Upon and Eid (2020), In the Empty Quarter (2021), and many comics.

Also by Sara Alfageeh: Once Upon and Eid (2020), Squire (2021), and some others.

Searching for Blue by N.H. Senzai

“…always look beyond what your eyes initially recognize and find out what is real, what is possible, and what is the truth.”

Basseem and his family has reached Greece, but this is going to be the first Eid without his father and away from home. Is it really going to feel like Eid at all?

This was a really touching story that I enjoyed quite a bit. I liked the characters and how they were willing to help each other when they could.

Representation: Muslim MC

Content Warnings: Refugees

Also by: Shooting Kabul (2009), Saving Kabul Corner (2014), Ticket to India (2015), Escape from Aleppo (2018), Once Upon and Eid (2020)

Creative Fixes by Ashley Franklin

“It’s hard to see the beauty in things when you can’t see past your insecurities.”

Makayla really wants a white dress she saw online for Eid, but she knows her family can’t afford it. When she’s too embarrassed to tell her friends that and they think she’s going to buy it, her mother finds a way to come to her rescue.

This was really cute and I appreciated that the main character had converted to Islam. This gave a completely different perspective compared to the other stories in this collection.

Representation: Muslim MC

Content Warnings: None

Also by: Once Upon and Eid (2020) and a variety of children’s books.

Taste by Hanna Alkaf

“The hugs are nice, but honestly,
nothing prepares you for the nightmares, or
the hole that’s left when something that
was always there, constant, unwavering,
is suddenly no longer there.”

Alia comes to terms with her mother’s death while cooking the traditional meal that her family eats for Eid.

This was my favorite story in the collection, hands down. Written in verse, with beautiful descriptions and lots of feelings. It was excellent. This also made me really really hungry. I wanted to eat all the food. I can’t wait to dive into The Weight of Our Sky sometime in the near future.

Representation: Muslim MC

Content Warnings: Death of a Parent, Grief

Also by: The Weight of Our Sky (2019), Once Upon and Eid (2020), The Girl and the Ghost (2020), Queen of the Tiles (2022), The Grimoire of Grave Fates (2022)

Eid Pictures by Jamilah Tompkins-Bigelow

“I can almost hear their whispered wishes—
duas spoken in the fields each Eid.”

A tiny verse story that stirs up images of Muslims past.

This was a really short verse story, which was nice. However, it was only three pages, but I think this could be very moving for some readers.

Representation: Muslim MC

Content Warnings: None.

Also by: Once Upon and Eid (2020) and a variety of children’s books.

Not Only and Only by Huda Al-Marashi

“Aya had always liked her status as her school’s only. Being the only Muslim and the only Iraqi made her the authority when anything came up in class remotely related to Islam, Arabs, or hummus.”

Aya is used to being the only Muslim in her school, but when a new Muslim girl arrives she struggles with no longer being the only. However, this may present to her an opportunity that she hadn’t initially thought of.

I thought this was cute. I liked the commentary on Shia/Sunni Muslims and learned a little about the differences between the two through this.

Representation: Muslim MC

Content Warnings: More Offensive White Kids

Also by: Once Upon and Eid (2020) and others.

Maya Madinah Choose Joy by Ayesha Mattu

“There are times of shining fullness and times of emptying out. Sometimes, before we can welcome joy in again, we need to acknowledge the sadness in our hearts…”

On the first Eid after her parents divorce, Maya Madinah decides that she is going to run away. She only gets as far as her Aunts before deciding that her parents divorce may not be as bad as she initially thought.

I liked the discussions around how children react to their parents separating in this. I could definitely understand where Maya was coming from. But she’s lucky to have a lot of people who care for her.

Representation: Muslim MC

Content Warnings: Parent’s Divorce

Also by: Good Girls Marry Doctors (2016), Once Upon and Eid (2020)

Eid and Pink Bubble Gum, Insha Allah by Randa Abdel-Fattah

“We were on a road trip.”

Deyana is the oldest of four and she really misses the days where she got more of her parents attention. However, as her family drives to her Grandparents for Eid, she gradually realizes that having siblings isn’t all bad.

I don’t have any siblings so I can only imagine going from being an only child to having to share everything with three other tiny humans. However, this was sweet and will probably bring family road trip memories up for any reader.

Representation: Muslim MC

Content Warnings: Family Road Trip, i.e. children fighting and shouting in enclosed spaces.

Also by: When Michael Met Mina (2016), Once Upon an Eid (2020)

Overall, I would say that these are quite cute and worth the read, especially for children looking to see themselves in literature. Publishing is starting to diversify, but it is going to take some more effort on their part. However, this is a nice start. I would recommend it for Middle Grade readers and younger teens. As a side note, the pictures that accompanied each story were also amazing.

Have you read Once Upon and Eid? Which story was your favorite? Have you read any other books by these authors? Which one would you recommend? Let me know in the comments below!

Important Bits:
Length: 272 pages
Published: May 5, 2020 by Amulet Books
Awards: None yet.