Hena Khan[1] (born 1973 or 1974) is an American author of children's books. Khan is best known for her middle-grade novel Amina's Voice and its follow-up novel, Amina's Song, which won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children's Literature in 2022.[2] Amina's Voice was the first book published under Simon & Schuster's Salaam Reads imprint in 2017.[3] Khan has authored or co-authored more than twenty picture and middle-grade books.[4]

Hena Khan
BornUnited States of America
OccupationNovelist, picture book writer
LanguageEnglish
EducationGeorge Washington University; MA in International Affairs
Genrepicture books, middle grade fiction
Years active2008–present
Notable worksAmina's Voice, Amina's Song
Notable awards2022 Asian/Pacific American Award for Children's Literature
Children2
Website
henakhan.com//

Early life and education

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Khan grew up near Rockville, Maryland, as the second of four children born to Pakistani immigrants.[5][6] Growing up, she enjoyed checking out books from the library.[6][7]

Khan earned an MA in International Affairs from George Washington University.[8]

Career

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Prior to becoming an author, Khan worked with non-profit health and research organizations as a writer and editor.[8]

She has mentioned Beverly Cleary as a writing hero, particularly her Ramona series, and has also cited Louisa May Alcott's Little Women as inspiration for her novel More to the Story.[9]

Khan was approached by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to co-author a Curious George book, titled It's Ramadan, Curious George.[10][11]

Personal life

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Khan lives with her family in Rockville, Maryland,[8] and has two sons.[12] She is Muslim.[6][8]

Works

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Novels

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Picture books

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  • Night of the Moon, illustrated by Julie Paschkis (Chronicle Books, 2008)
  • Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini (Chronicle Books, 2012)
  • It's Ramadan, Curious George, co-authored with H. A. Rey (Clarion Books, 2016)[10]
  • Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini (Chronicle Books, 2018)
  • Under My Hijab, illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel (Lee & Low Books, 2019)[13]
  • Like the Moon Loves the Sky, illustrated by Saffa Khan (Chronicle Books, 2020)
  • One Sun and Countless Stars: A Muslim Book of Numbers, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini (Chronicle Books, 2022)
  • Zain’s Super Friday, illustrated by Nez Riaz (Lee & Low Books, 2023)

Awards

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  • 2022 Asian/Pacific American Award for Children's Literature for Amina's Song[2]

References

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  1. ^ "About Hena". Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  2. ^ a b "2022 Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature Winners". Asian Pacific American Librarians Association. 2022-01-24. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  3. ^ "Salaam Reads Aims to Publish Muslim YA Stories". Teen Vogue. 2017-03-02. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  4. ^ "Hena Khan - My Books". Hena Khan. 2024. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  5. ^ Sole, Sarah (2019-02-05). "Dublin Literacy Conference: Author Hena Khan plans conversation on inclusion of all voices". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  6. ^ a b c Quattlebaum, Mary (2017-03-20). "A step toward greater diversity in children's books: Hena Khan's 'Amina's Voice'". The Washington Post.
  7. ^ Williams, Ashleigh (2019-10-25). "Hena Khan's More to the Story is a Love Letter to Little Women". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  8. ^ a b c d "Hena Khan (she/her)". The Author Village. 2018. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  9. ^ "Interview with Hena Khan, Author of More to the Story!". From the Mixed Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors. 2020-10-21. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  10. ^ a b Hatuqa, Dalia (2016-07-04). "Curious George embraces Ramadan". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  11. ^ Mubtadi, Vina (2016-07-01). "This Ramadan, Curious George Helps Friend to Fast". Voice of America News. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  12. ^ "Author Spotlight: Interview with Hena Khan". From the Mixed Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors. 2022-10-28. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  13. ^ Farooq, Umar (2019-03-03). "Muslim author aims to lift veil on misjudged concept". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-01-01.