Hail Mariam

by Huda Al-Marashi

Hail Mariam is an interfaith Muslim take on Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret drawn from the author’s own experiences in Catholic school.

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.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Religion, Contemporary

208 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 24, 2026

About the author

Huda Al-Marashi writes for both children and adults. She is the author of the forthcoming middle grade novel, Hail Mariam, and the coauthor of Grounded, which won the Walter Dean Myers Honor award. She also wrote the memoir First Comes Marriage: My Not-So-Typical American Love Story and has had essays and op-eds featured in various anthologies and news outlets, such as the New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, and al Jazeera. She is a fellow and mentor with the Highlights Foundation Muslim Storytellers Program, and she lives in San Diego, California with her husband and three children. Visit her at www.hudaalmarashi.com.

Reviews

[FindingFiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

What a pleasantly delightful read! I fully acknowledge that this read is middle grade, but us adults can also enjoy these reads, especially when on the hunt for representation in kid’s literature.

This was intentionally thoughtful, funny and a read that will be enlightening for many.

Hail Mariam explores the Islamic faith through the lens of a 6th grade student Mariam who is attending a Catholic School as the only Muslim Arab.

Through the exploration of religious differences, the ups and downs of early adolescence and the difficulties of immigrant families, Huda Al-Marashi has written a story that we all can learn from.

Note: this book had a lot of religious discussion and I understand that this may be a topic not suited for all.

Thank you PenguinTeen for this e-arc. All thoughts are my own.

[Hannah]

This is fantastic. I love middle grade that really understands the 12-year-old psyche, and the overanalysis, anxiety, passion, and drive were really well rendered. I did think Salma’s illness was too vaguely and obliquely mentioned to be as meaningful as it was supposed to be, but otherwise this is really worth putting on the shelf next to Judy Blume

[Jeneane Vanderhoof · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the evolving landscape of middle-grade literature, stories that bridge the gap between cultural heritage and the American experience often provide the most profound lessons in empathy and self-discovery. Huda Al-Marashi’s upcoming novel, Hail Mariam—scheduled for release in February 2026 by Kokila—stands as a vibrant and deeply necessary example of what scholars call a Bildungsroman. This German term, which translates literally to a "novel of formation," describes a literary genre focusing on the psychological, moral, and emotional growth of a protagonist from youth to adulthood. While Mariam Hassan is only a sixth grader, her 208-page journey is a classic coming-of-age narrative that traces her transition from a naive desire for perfection to a sophisticated understanding of her own multifaceted identity within a complex society.

The story introduces us to Mariam, a young girl raised in a first-generation Muslim home in America who suddenly finds herself transferring to a local Catholic school. This transition serves as the primary catalyst for her internal development. For young readers who know little about the Muslim religion, or for those who are Muslim but find themselves surrounded by peers with different beliefs, the book offers a beautiful lesson in finding points of intersection. Mariam feels a heavy "burden of representation" at her new school. Because her parents emphasize that she might be the first Muslim her classmates ever meet, she feels she must work exceptionally hard to be the "perfect" student. She strives to be the "sunshine" for her teacher, hoping to prove that being Muslim in America is just as normal and positive as being Catholic or Protestant. This performative perfectionism is a central theme, highlighting the pressure felt by many minority children to act as ambassadors for their entire culture.

This pressure is exacerbated by the family dynamic at home. Mariam’s parents were respected doctors in Iraq, but because they were not educated in America, they have had to spend a significant amount of time "playing the student" themselves, completing additional schooling and tests to regain their medical credentials in their new country. This role reversal often leaves Mariam "playing the parent" to both herself and her younger sister, Salma. She takes on domestic responsibilities and emotional labor to ensure her parents can focus on their studies. It is a poignant look at the immigrant experience, where children often become the anchors for their families, navigating the nuances of a new society while their parents strive to reclaim their professional identities. This responsibility at home creates a quiet maturity in Mariam, but it also adds to the stress she feels to never fail.

The social hurdles of middle school are explored through Mariam’s ambitious attempt to run for class president as a new student who doesn’t know anyone. During the campaign, Mariam discovers a natural talent for public speaking; the other students genuinely enjoy her speech and find her humor engaging. However, the election results provide a harsh lesson in social inertia. The class ultimately re-elects Lauren, a girl they have known for years who has held the position of president for several terms. While the sting of losing the election leaves Mariam feeling sad and alienated, the experience opens a new door. On her way out of class, she is invited over by a classmate named Isabella. This invitation marks the beginning of a genuine friendship that isn't based on political popularity or cultural performance, but on simple, human connection. Through Isabella, Mariam begins to see that being "known" is far more valuable than being "voted for."

However, Mariam’s journey toward maturity is not without its moral complications. The "sunshine" mask she wears at school begins to slip when she receives a progress report from her teacher. The report highlights her struggles with math and notes that her handwriting is poor. The embarrassment is doubled because the teacher delivers this report in front of her classmates, shattering the image of the "perfect student" Mariam has worked so hard to cultivate. The thought of telling her stressed parents about these academic struggles is overwhelming, and she is tempted by a seemingly easy out: she could simply forge her parents' names on the report and tell them nothing. This moment of moral crisis is a hallmark of the Bildungsroman, as the protagonist must decide whether to choose the easy path of deception or the difficult path of honesty. It asks the reader: when is it helpful to handle things on your own, and when is it a sign of maturity to ask for help?

The narrative takes a much darker and more urgent turn when a health crisis strikes the family. Mariam’s younger sister, Salma, develops a persistent cough that eventually produces blood. A visit to the doctor reveals a mass in Salma’s lungs, and the looming possibility of cancer casts a long shadow over the household as Christmas approaches. This plot point is where the book truly shines as a tool for teaching empathy and resilience. It shows children of this age how to deal with "possible loss" and the terrifying uncertainty that comes with a family health crisis. Through Salma’s illness, readers learn about the resilience of siblings and the specific way children often try to "protect" their parents by being as low-maintenance as possible during a tragedy. Mariam’s struggle becomes twofold: she must navigate her own fear for her sister while continuing to manage her secret school anxieties.
As the school’s Christmas play approaches, the intersection of faith and family crisis comes to a head.

Mariam is cast in the role of Mary (a figure known as Mariam in the Qur'an), but she finds herself wanting to turn the role down. Her hesitation is rooted in her Muslim faith; she worries that by participating in a Catholic Nativity play and reciting lines that reflect a different theological perspective, she might somehow jeopardize the "answers to her prayers" regarding Salma’s health. She fears that her devotion might be questioned if she portrays a figure viewed through a different lens. This struggle highlights the deep personal nature of faith for a child—it is not just a set of rules, but a lifeline to hope. It is a moment where her internal belief system meets the external world's expectations.

The resolution of this conflict is one of the most beautiful sequences in the book. Mariam, Lauren (who is also playing Mary), and Isabella come together to find a solution that respects both traditions. They decide that Mariam can read a part of the Qur’an that intersects with the birth of Jesus. This moment teaches a vital lesson: Jesus is a revered prophet in Islam, and Mary is a holy figure in both faiths. By finding this common ground, the girls demonstrate that interfaith dialogue isn't about compromising one's beliefs, but about finding the shared respect and history that bring us together. It reinforces the idea that while religions may have different points of departure, they share many points of intersection. This creative compromise allows Mariam to honor her faith while still being a part of her school community.

As a reviewer who grew up Catholic, I found this particular theme deeply resonant. In my own childhood, I discovered that religious differences could be a source of profound pain. When my mother married into Protestantism, my grandparents, who were devout Catholics and had sent my mother to Catholic schools, stopped speaking to her for years. The weight of that religious divide was a heavy burden to carry as a child; it meant missing Christmases with my entire family and witnessing a silence that felt impossible to break. I was the one who eventually brought the family back together, acting as the bridge between two worlds that refused to acknowledge one another. This personal experience makes the interfaith bond in Hail Mariam even more touching to me. It shows that children often have the wisdom to fix what adults have broken.

In the novel, Mariam’s family is very close to another family from Iraq who were neighbors with her parents before they moved to America together. Mariam refers to them as her "aunt" and "uncle," but we discover that unlike Mariam’s family, they are Catholic and members of the church where Mariam attends school. This relationship is a stark and beautiful contrast to my own family history. In Mariam’s world, religion is not a reason to shut the door on those you love. These families share a cultural bond that transcends their theological differences, showing that empathy and shared history are stronger than the labels we use to define our faith. It is a powerful reminder that religion should be a bridge that connects us rather than a wall that separates us. They celebrate their shared Iraqi heritage while respecting their different houses of worship.

For the adult readers of this column—many of whom are parents, teachers, and librarians—Hail Mariam offers a rich landscape for pedagogical discussion. The book asks critical questions about the "weight of being first" and whether it is fair to expect a single child to represent an entire culture. It explores the "secret burden" of children who try to handle adult-sized problems on their own to protect their parents. These are essential themes for middle-grade readers who are beginning to realize that their parents are human and that the world is more complex than it appears in childhood. Through the lens of Salma’s illness, the book provides a gentle but honest framework for discussing health scares and the resilience required to face them. It shows what people can and will do for you in times of crisis, and what we, in turn, should be prepared to do for others.

The novel also tackles the theme of authenticity over popularity. Mariam’s journey through the school election and the Christmas play teaches her that trying to be the "perfect" version of what others expect is an exhausting and ultimately unfulfilling endeavor. Real friendship, like her bond with Isabella, only becomes possible when Mariam is honest about her struggles, her bad grades, and her fears for her sister- because some are struggles her friends have to deal with in their own lives too. It is only by shedding the "sunshine" mask that she can find genuine connection. This is a vital lesson for middle-schoolers who are often pressured to curate a perfect image for their peers. The story teaches that being a "good" member of one's faith is not about being a perfect representative for everyone else; it is about one’s own connection to God and family. Authenticity is the only thing that builds a real bridge between people.

Huda Al-Marashi shares that she has crafted a story that she shares is heavily inspired by her own childhood experiences (as the only Muslim girl in a Catholic school), and that authenticity shines through every page. By drawing comparisons to Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, the book positions itself as a modern classic for a new generation of readers who are navigating a world where interfaith dialogue is more important than ever. It teaches that while we may have different religions, those religions should ultimately bring us together. The narrative doesn't shy away from the messy parts of growth—the temptation to lie, the sting of losing, and the terror of a loved one's illness—but it handles them with a lightness and humor that makes the lessons stick. Mariam’s story is a reflection of the challenges of the 21st century, where children often find themselves caught between different worlds.

In conclusion, Hail Mariam is an adorable and profound story that deserves a place in every school library. It highlights the differences in our beliefs while celebrating the similarities that make us human. It shows that maturity is not found in achieving perfection, but in finding the courage to be honest and the grace to seek connection with others. Mariam Hassan’s journey from a naive sixth grader to a young woman who understands the value of her own voice is a journey that will resonate with readers of all faiths. It reminds us that whether we are reading from the Bible or the Qur’an, the message of love and family resilience is a universal language. As someone who saw the pain of religious division firsthand, I can say with certainty that this is the kind of book that heals families and builds bridges.

The big takeaway from this review is how the book shows kids how to deal with "possible loss" and situations of that kind. When Salma gets sick, the story doesn't just focus on the fear; it focuses on the community. It shows what people can and will do for you when you are suffering, and it models what we should do for others in return. Whether it is a friend offering a place to study or a classmate helping to rewrite a script to make it more inclusive, these small acts of kindness are what build a life. Mariam discovers that she doesn't have to be the "sunshine" for everyone else; she just needs to let other people be the light for her when her own world goes dark. This is a powerful message for a child who feels they have to carry the world on their shoulders.

With its 2026 release date, Hail Mariam is poised to become a foundational text for middle-grade empathy. It balances the "lightheartedness" of a school story with the gravity of a family crisis, maintaining a steady hand on the tiller of religious exploration. It teaches us that anyone can have their own beliefs, and that finding the points of intersection—those places where we can stand together in a time of need—is the true mark of growing up. Mariam’s story is a testament to the fact that faith, at its best, is a source of strength that allows us to face the "possible loss" of the world with a community by our side. It is a must-read for anyone who believes that we are better together than we are apart. By focusing on the shared reverence for Mary, Al-Marashi provides a roadmap for how we can all live together in a diverse world.

For the young reader, this is an adventure in identity. For the adult reader, it is a reminder of the quiet burdens children carry. For both, it is a story about the power of honesty. Mariam's bad handwriting and math grades were just a small part of the story, but her decision to eventually face them with her parents was a huge part of her growth. It showed that she was moving from a child who performs for others to a young adult who lives for herself and her family. That is the essence of the Bildungsroman—the formation of a soul. And in Hail Mariam, that soul is one that is bright, resilient, and ready for whatever the future holds.

Ultimately, this novel proves that the things that make us different are rarely as important as the things that make us the same. Whether we are Iraqi-American, Catholic, Muslim, or Protestant, we all want our sisters to be healthy, we all want to do well in school, and we all want to be understood. Huda Al-Marashi has given us a gift in Mariam Hassan, a character who teaches us that you don't have to be perfect to be a hero. You just have to be yourself. This is a lesson that every child needs to hear, and every adult needs to remember. It is a story of hope, a story of intersection, and above all, a story of love.

Happy Reading!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Mariam Hassan is concerned about starting 6th grade at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School, especially since her family is Muslim. Her mother, an Iraqi immigrant, has been told by one of her friends that the school is more academically rigorous, but Mariam is concerned about the fact that there are so many depictions of Jesus around the school, since she thought the Muslim faith (which considers Jesus a prophet) didn't approve. Her younger sister, Salma, doesn't have to attend. Sister Geraldine seems nice, and Mariam decides to run for class president, devising a clever speech complete with props. She makes friends with Isabella, whose family is Latine, and even gets along fairly well with the popular Lauren despite her political run and the fact that she is cast as Mary in the Nativity play, a role that Lauren was hoping to get. Mariam encounters some academic trouble with her penmanship and math, and worries about what her parents will think of her role in the play. When Salma is diagnosed with a lung problem that might be cancerous, Mariam doesn't want to bother them about issues at school. She even manages to message her teacher, writing as her mother, about several different problems. One of these arises when she whispers to another student during a service at school. A nearby adult thinks that she is being disrespectful because she is Muslim, but Mariam is actually trying to get help because she has just gotten her period. Not wanting other students to think poorly of Muslims, she asks Lauren for help in spreading the information that she was talking because she got her period to all of the students! When her grandmother (Bibi) visits, Mariam wonders if she is right, and that if Mariam were a better Muslim and wore a hijab, her sister wouldn't have gotten sick. Mariam also asks to read a passage about Jesus from the Quran before the Christmas play, since she has dropped out of playing Mary after Salma's diagnosis. She isn't granted permission, but reads it anyway, with the help of her schoolmates. It is a huge relief to find out the truth about her sister's condition, and Mariam makes a tentative peace with being a Muslim student in a Catholic school.
Strengths: This story is based on the author's own life. She is Muslim and attended Catholic school, which is a rather singular experience! I grew up in a largely Catholic community, so many of my classmates transitioned back to public school after elementary; I can't imagine hitting middle school and starting at a religious school! There was a lot of fairly positive, open religious discussion, and I learned some things, like the fact that there isn't music in masjid. Mariam's desire to fit in but also remain true to her background is realistic, and she has a fairly positive attitude, running for class office and putting herself forward for the play. It was interesting to see Ramadan occur right around Thanksgiving and Christmas time. The impact of Salma's health on the entire family was also informational. This author also had a story in Ali's and Saeed's Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices, and I'll be interested to see what else she writes.
Weaknesses: Other than the mention of Mariam's period, this didn't seem to have much in common with Are You There God, It's Me Margaret. I reread the Blume title not long ago (and watched the movie; have to love the vintage set design!), and just didn't see many similarities. While the religious details are interesting, they do slow the story down a bit.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who would like to see more representation of children coming to terms with religion in books like Butler's Rabbit, Rabbit, Ma's Rainbow Fair, Algarmi's Almost Sunset, Siddiqui's Barakah Beats or Braden's Opinions and Opossums.

[Emily Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to #NetGalley, Huda Al-Marashi, and the publisher of the book for the eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sixth grade was never supposed to feel this overwhelming.

Mariam Hassan, an Iraqi American Muslim girl, transfers to a Catholic school where she might be the first Muslim her classmates have ever met. Suddenly she’s juggling a lot—making new friends, keeping up with schoolwork, and figuring out who she wants to be—all while feeling like she has to represent her entire religion.

At home, things get even harder. Mariam’s little sister, Salma, is diagnosed with a serious lung condition, and the family is constantly at the doctor or up late worrying. Mariam tries to help however she can, even if it means hiding her own stress, like the fact that she’s just been chosen to play Mary in the school’s Christmas nativity play.

Mariam wants to respect her Muslim faith and also be part of her new school community, but she’s scared of doing something wrong. Can she be a Muslim girl playing a major role in a Christian story? What will her family think? Why does she feel like every choice she makes reflects on all Muslims everywhere?

As Mariam leans on the people who care about her—her family, her friends, and her school—she starts to understand that faith and friendship aren’t about being perfect. They’re about understanding one another, working together, and finding connection even when things feel complicated.

I loved this book so much! I hope it will teach kids that if they practice different religions, they can come together for the common good. No religion is better than the other. It's also okay to not to be religious.
I also loved Mariam's relationship with her sister Salma! It was so sweet.

[Luv2TrvlLuvBks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The selected cover artwork combined with the clever wordplay of the title captured this reader's eye.
These same elements will appeal to be the prospective reader, child or adult.

Moreover, the author does a marvelous job describing Mariam's anxiety and frustrations. Whether it's with her mother's seemingly indifferent attitude for a timely pick up from school or how those feelings physically manifest (excellent metaphor used by the author multiple times) in her tummy,

Mariam is unflinchingly honest in her feelings. Or, at least to herself. How she acts in the presence of her parents, her beloved sister, and teachers, just may be a little different. This book allows the reader to track the growth from Mariam's internal to an external projection of these feelings.

Christianity and Islam are also at the heart of the book. By creating multi-faceted secondary characters like Aunty Sawsan, Father Brian, and Sister Geraldine, the author in effect demonstrates how religion isn't just black or white.

Books like this are needed now more than ever. Consider the impact a book look this would have on the adult population of readers. Maybe there would be less hate, less fear of what is assumed to be different.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Penguin Young Readers Group | Kokila, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#HailMariam #NetGalley

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thing that Mariam is not told, when she ends up going to a Catholic school, is that religion, and life in general, is not just black and white. There is more subtlety than that. But, what do you expect to understand when you are 12-years-old? The world is big and she is small.

So, she tries to make sure, as a practicing Muslim, that she doesn’t do anything to offend. When she is given the part in the Christmas play of Mary, she baulks when she has to say that Jesus is the son of god, when that isn’t something she believes.

At some point her father tries to explain that some practices they have are from culture, and some are from the religion themselves, and not to get too wrapped up on which is which. Mariam is confused.

She also wants to be the teacher’s sunshine (her word for teacher’s pet), but she just can’t seem to be, no matter how hard she tries.

Very realistic story of what it is like to “represent” your religion so people understand that yes, they are different, but they are the same too.

Wonderful story. You can feel the frustration of Mariam through it all, trying to do her best, trying to be as perfect as she can, and yet, not always getting there.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be available on the 24th of February 2026.

[sparkypink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sixth grader Mariam is starting at a new school. It's hard enough being the new girl, but she is a Muslim girl attending a Catholic school, so she feels the burden of representing her religion along with the typical burdens that middle school kids face. Over the course of the story, Mariam learns that there is a lot that Islam and Christianity have in common, and that there are many different ways to express faith. I enjoyed this story and feel it would be a great way for children (and adults) to learn a little bit about how the two faiths can coexist.

I received a digital ARC of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

[Susan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book with a topic, religion, that many readers are curious about. At this age, young readers may attend church and have faith, but are not necessarily exposed to other religions and perhaps not the idea of peacefully existing alongside each other.

Thank you Penguin Random House, for the ARC.

Wonder World Book Cafe podcast to follow.

[rachel x]

"Hail Mariam is an interfaith Muslim take on Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret drawn from the author’s own experiences in Catholic school."

[Mo Holub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mariam Hassan was expecting sixth grade to be hard, but not like this: starting as the new kid AND the only Muslim at a Catholic school. Within the tween chaos of friendship dynamics, puberty, and trying to prove herself in school, Mariam also struggles with feeling like she carries the reputation of all Muslims on her shoulders, and with complicated feelings about her faith in the face of the different ways Muslims and Catholics worship. I really enjoyed this middle grade read and Mariam's perspective as she figures out how to navigate all the changes in her world, and how to balance the different parts of herself- daughter, friend, student, and Muslim.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story. Mariam is a Muslim girl attending a Catholic school. She finds herself responsible for correcting students' and even teachers' bad ideas about Islam and Arabs. There are nice interfaith friendships where kids are genuinely curious and both sides learn something new. I liked the positive representation of Christians, it seems like often Christian characters fall into racist, homophobic, closed-minded stereotypes.