The Boldest White: A Story of Hijab and Community

by Ibtihaj Muhammad, S. K. Ali (With), Hatem Aly (Illustrator)

Overview

In this call to bravery from Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad, Faizah learns to overcome her fears and stand in front of the crowd in this beautiful celebration of family, fencing, and community.  

Faizah loves being part of the community at her mosque, and she loves being part of the group at her fencing lessons. When all eyes are on her, though, Faizah freezes up. Mama says bravery will come with time, but there’s a fencing tournament coming up—does Faizah have what it takes to be bold?

Love, honesty, and courage shine through every page of this empowering picture book from the bestselling, award-winning team behind The Proudest Blue and The Kindest Red.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780759555716
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	09/24/2024
Series:	The Proudest Blue , #3
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	778,825
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.32(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Ibtihaj Muhammad has written the picture books The Proudest Blue and The Kindest Red and the memoir Proud. She is a fencer and the first Muslim American woman in hijab to compete for the United States in the Olympic Games. She is also the first female Muslim American to medal at the Olympic Games, winning bronze in the women's saber team event. An activist, speaker, and entrepreneur, Ibtihaj has inspired the first hijabi Barbie in her likeness. She invites you to visit her online at ibtihajmuhammad.com.

S. K. Ali is the award-winning author of Saints and Misfits and Love from A to Z, co-author of The Proudest Blue and The Kindest Red, and the coeditor of Once Upon a Eid. 

Hatem Aly is an Egyptian-born illustrator whose work has been featured on television and in multiple publications worldwide. Among other books, he illustrated Newbery Honor winning novel The Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitz and The Proudest Blue and The Kindest Red by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali. He currently lives in New Brunswick, Canada, with his wife, son, and more pets than people.

Editorial Reviews

07/01/2024

K-Gr 3—The third installment in Muhammad and Ali's chronicles of a young Muslim girl focuses on summoning courage in the middle of discomfort. This book tracks Faizah through her fencing journey and her struggle with performance anxiety. Uncomfortable with being the center of attention, she finds solace in retreat—being part of the crowd at her mosque, or as part of her fencing class. She feels safety and security in being covered by her hijab, and by her fencing uniform. Being part of the crowd "feels right." Standing out does not. Her supportive mother encourages her, assuring that bravery will come to her when it is needed. Rich, digitally enhanced ink and pencil illustrations beautifully evoke all the movements of fencing and the warmth in the community of which Faizah is a part. Fans of the previous titles will not be disappointed. VERDICT A recommended addition to picture book collections in elementary schools and public libraries.—Jennifer Noonan

School Library Journal