Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices

S. K. Ali · Aisha Saeed

May 2020 · Abrams

About this ebook

A joyous short story collection by and about Muslims, edited by New York Times bestselling author Aisha Saeed and Morris finalist S. K. Ali
 
Once Upon an 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: The short, single-syllable word conjures up a variety of feelings and memories for Muslims. Maybe it’s waking up to the sound of frying samosas or the comfort of bean pie, maybe it’s the pleasure of putting on a new outfit for Eid prayers, or maybe it’s the gift giving and holiday parties to come that day. Whatever it may be, for those who cherish this day of celebration, the emotional responses may be summed up in another short and sweet word: joy. The anthology will also include a poem, graphic-novel chapter, and spot illustrations.

The full list of Once Upon an Eid contributors include: G. Willow Wilson (Alif the Unseen, Ms. Marvel), Hena Khan (Amina's Voice, Under My Hijab), N. H. Senzai (Shooting Kabul, Escape from Aleppo), Hanna Alkaf (The Weight of Our Sky), Rukhsana Khan (Big Red Lollipop), Randa Abdel-Fattah (Does My Head Look Big in This?), Ashley Franklin (Not Quite Snow White), Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow (Mommy's Khimar), Candice Montgomery (Home and Away, By Any Means Necessary), Huda Al-Marashi (First Comes Marriage), Ayesha Mattu, Asmaa Hussein, and Sara Alfageeh.  

 

Ratings and reviews

Aww, such a sweet and cute story!! MashaAllah. It's like I'm turning back into a kid somehow because of the joyous celebration. All in all, this is my new experience of reading multiple stories on Muslims in one book. And as a Muslim in Malaysia, I didn't even know what it's like for another Muslims across the world. I am super excited to learn the Arabi, Pakistani, American, Mandinka Muslim's way and many more including their tradition on that occasion, clothes, and food, not just in my own compartment. The 15 stories, each incredibly intact with their own unique storyline to spark the joy of Eid celebration was very heartwarming. I'm sure kids can understand the language and it's definitely relatable to the adult, with a simple explanation and words of wisdom of why Muslims fast, what time, the benefit, and do and don't - beautifully communicated by the characters. Overall it's an incredible book. Go ahead and buy a copy.

This helped me realise that i enjoy and want to learn more about other cultures and how they practice Islam. Some of their ways of thinking is admirable to look at and i could definitely benefit from. This also inspired me to write my eid experience too. Hehe.

About the author

S. K. Ali is a teacher whose debut novel, Saints and Misfits, was a Morris finalist, an Entertainment Weekly Best YA Book, and a Kirkus Reviews Top 10 Teen Novel. Her second novel is Love from A to Z. Her writing on Muslim culture and life has also appeared in the Toronto Star.

Aisha Saeed is the author of Written in the Stars, which was a YALSA Quick Pick, and Amal Unbound, which was a New York Times bestseller and received starred reviews from PublishersWeekly and KirkusReviews. She is also a founding member of We Need Diverse Books. S. K. Ali is a teacher whose debut novel, Saints and Misfits, was a Morris finalist, an Entertainment Weekly Best YA Book, and a Kirkus Reviews Top 10 Teen Novel. Her second novel is Love from A to Z. Her writing on Muslim culture and life has also appeared in the Toronto Star.