YAIn Conversation

Huda Al-Marashi: "Hail Mariam"

Name: Huda Al-Marashi: "Hail Mariam"
Start: 2026-09-24T22:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-09-24T23:00:00+00:00
Location: C. Burr Artz Public Library

C. Burr Artz Public Library

110 E Patrick St

Frederick, Maryland, United States

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Originally posted by

Curious Iguana ↗

Details can change. Please confirm the date, time, location, and ticketing directly with the organizer before attending.

About this event

Join Curious Iguana at C. Burr Artz Public Library to celebrate the new release from middle-grade author Huda Al-Marashi, "Hail Mariam", in conversation with fellow middle-grade author Hena Khan. Following their conversation, Huda will answer questions and sign books. Copies of Hail Mariam will be available for purchase at the event. This free, public event is presented in partnership with Frederick County Public Libraries. -- 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. 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. 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. Mariam discovers that faith, much like friendships, isn't about perfection—it's about connection. Hail Mariam is a celebration of the beauty of finding common ground. (via Curious Iguana)

Featured readers

Huda Al-Marashi

Huda Al-Marashi writes for both children and adults. She is the author of the middle grade novel Hail Mariam and a co-author of the Walter Dean Myers Honor award-winning novel Grounded. In addition to her memoir First Comes Marriage, she has contributed essays to the New York Times, Washington Post, and LA Times. She lives in San Diego, California.

Hena Khan

Hena Khan has been publishing books for children for over two decades, including the bestselling novels Amina's Voice and More to the Story, and the Zayd Saleem Chasing the Dream and Zara's Rules series. Her picture books include Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns and Under My Hijab. She lives in her hometown of Rockville, Maryland.