Best Teen & Young Adult Islam Books of 2025

The Cat I Never Named is a memoir by Amra Sabic-El-Rayess, a Muslim teen who survived the Bosnian genocide. This book tells the story of her struggle to survive in the midst of war and the stray cat who protected her family throughout the ordeal. The book has received numerous accolades, including six starred reviews and being named a YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist. It is a unique and powerful story of love, survival, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Smart Teenage Muslimah is an inspirational guide for Muslim girls who want to gain confidence and live a fulfilling life as a Muslimah. The book challenges the societal expectations that encourage teenage girls to be self-absorbed, materialistic, and promiscuous, and instead provides guidance from sacred texts to achieve peace of mind, understand the purpose of life, and learn about important topics like puberty, sex, and gender identity. This book is a must-read for parents, Islamic schools, teachers, and teenage girls who want to succeed in this life and attain jannah in the next.

"Mosque" by David Macaulay is a captivating book that delves into the design and construction of a mosque in late-sixteenth-century Turkey. Through a fictional story and full-color illustrations, the author provides insights into the methods and materials used in building monumental structures. The book highlights the mosque's role in Muslim social and religious life. Macaulay's attention to detail is impressive, and the relationship between pictures and text is exceptional. This book is a must-read for architecture and engineering enthusiasts and anyone interested in understanding the Islamic society and its beliefs and practices."

'Be Like a Star and Rise' is a beautiful book that offers guidance to parents and youth on how to establish a closer relationship with Allah through Salaat. Filled with touching hadith and ayat, this book is perfect for readers of all ages and levels of faith. The illustrations are stunning, and the messages are easy to understand and apply to daily life. This book is a constant reminder of the importance of Salaat and can transform lives. 'Be Like a Star and Rise' is a unique addition to the Teen & Young Adult Islam Books category and is highly recommended for anyone looking to deepen their connection with Allah.

The book "Science in the Qur'an: Discovering Scientific Secrets in the Holy Qur'an" by Yasmin Watson and Dr. Amira val Baker compares the verses from the Holy Qur'an with modern scientific discoveries, revealing the fundamentals of life on Earth and the universe. The book is filled with full-color images and graphics and is recommended for children aged 8+ and adults of all ages. Yasmin Watson, a Montessori teacher, and Dr. Amira val Baker, who has a PhD in Astrophysics, have done an amazing job of presenting the scientific facts in an engaging and easy-to-understand way. Overall, this book is a great read for anyone interested in the intersection of science and religion.

Growing Up Muslim: Understanding the Beliefs and Practices of Islam by Sumbul Ali-Karamali is an engaging work that offers an academically reliable introduction to Islam, while also providing a personal account of the author's experiences growing up in Southern California as a Muslim. Through her personal anecdotes and academic research, Ali-Karamali dispels many misconceptions about Islam and provides a better understanding of Muslim American life. This book is a great resource for young adults and anyone interested in learning more about Islam and Muslim culture.

The Adventures of Nur Al-Din is a thrilling Young Adult novel that takes readers on a journey through Islamic history and exciting adventures. The story follows Farid, a young Tunisian man who joins a pirate crew to fight against the Spanish naval campaign aiming to take over his country. Throughout the book, Farid learns the importance of loyalty, courage, and faith. The book is a unique blend of action, history, and culture that will captivate readers. Overall, debut author Badees Nouiouat has created a fast-paced and engaging story that will leave readers eager for a sequel.

Penguin Readers Level 3: Amazing Muslims Who Changed the World is an A2 graded reader, perfect for young learners of English as a foreign language. The book introduces readers to some of the most inspiring Muslim figures who have made a significant impact on the world, from athletes to mathematicians and pirate queens. The text is well-supported by illustrations, making it an engaging and informative read. The print edition also provides access to online resources, including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans, and answer keys. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for children's Islamic books and a valuable addition to any language learner's library.

"Forty Steps Closer to God" is an essential read for Muslim teenagers as it presents a careful selection of forty hadith that showcase the wisdom of Prophet Muhammad. The book covers a variety of interesting and essential topics, providing clear and concise explanations on each hadith, and study questions to further the reader's knowledge. Written for high-school and college-aged students, this pocket guide would be ideal for a book club or religious study group. Adopting the habits demonstrated in these forty hadith would not only bring one closer to God but would also lead to more peaceful societies. This book is a must-have for anyone seeking to understand and follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad."

"The Life of the Prophet Muhammad" is a well-written children's book that provides an authentic and complete introduction to the life of the Prophet Muhammad. It uses passages from the Qur'an to reinforce the stories and has 32 color illustrations that portray traditional Islamic life. The book is suitable for children aged 10 to 15, as well as anyone looking for an introduction to the life of the Prophet. Overall, this is an excellent work that should be widely used by both Muslim and non-Muslim children. Its unique approach to the subject matter makes it stand out from other children's books on Islam.