Pakistani-American children's book author
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]
Early life and education
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
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
Khan lives with her family in Rockville, Maryland,[8] and has two sons.[12] She is Muslim.[6][8]
Works
Novels
- Amina's Voice (Salaam Reads, 2017)
- Power Forward (Salaam Reads, 2018)
- On Point (Salaam Reads, 2018)
- Bounce Back (Salaam Reads, 2018)
- More to the Story (Salaam Reads, 2020)
- Amina's Song (Salaam Reads, 2021)
- The Unicorn Rescue Society: The Secret of the Himalayas, co-authored with Adam Gidwitz, illustrated by Hatem Aly (Penguin Random House, 2021)
- Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun (Salaam Reads, 2022)
- Super You! Power of Flight: A Pick-Your-Path Adventure, co-authored with Andrea Menotti, illustrated by Yancey Labat (Penguin Random House, 2022)
- Zara’s Rules for Finding Hidden Treasure (Salaam Reads, 2022)
- Super You! Power of Invisibility: A Pick-Your-Path Adventure, co-authored with Andrea Menotti, illustrated by Yancey Labat (Penguin Random House, 2023)
- Zara’s Rules for Living Your Best Life (Salaam Reads, 2023)
Picture books
- 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
- 2022 Asian/Pacific American Award for Children's Literature for Amina's Song[2]
References
