e-ALC, 04:43:02
Narrated by: Karla Maatouk & Huda Al-Marashi
Release Date: February 24, 2026
Published by: Books on Tape
Read from: February 20, 2026
Stand-alone
Source: PRH Audio (I received this ALC free from the publisher and their app. This did nothing to influence my review!)
Content Warning:
For Readers Interested In: Coming of Age, Contemporary, Sparkly Covers, MG, Racial/Ethnic Diversity (Arab/ Iraqi American), Realistic Fiction, Religious Diversity (Muslim)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.
Sixth grade wasn’t supposed to be this complicated.
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. No big deal, right? Just represent an entire religion while making new friends, keeping up with schoolwork, and figuring out who she is.
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. Can a Muslim girl be the lead in a Christian story? What will her family think? And why does she feel like every decision she makes represents all Muslims?
Mariam discovers that faith, much like friendships, isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. As she leans on her family, friends, and school community, she begins to see the power of interfaith cooperation and learns she doesn’t have to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders.
Hail Mariam is a celebration of the beauty of finding common ground.
*MY THOUGHTS*
This was so good. As someone who also attended a Catholic school, this whole book was SO REAL. I had a similar experience to Mariam, so I felt so much of everything that was said. This is the realist book I’ve read in a long time.
Ok so this is a mostly character driven book. We learn so much about Mariam and how she’s feeling. I was glad to get into her head. I saw a lot of myself and past struggles in her. She’s the only one in her class who isn’t Catholic in this Catholic school. And while I am Catholic, at the Catholic school I went to, I was one of three Black girls in the entire school. It was I felt out of place all the time. I was only there until 4th grade, but I was there long enough to feel the difference. So I know how Mariam felt a little trapped, a little overwhelmed by trying to be the best, the representation, and still do all the things a student does. I loved her arc as well. She tried to be everyone’s example of being a good Muslim and that just isn’t her responsibility. I was glad when her parents and aunt helped talk about it with her. And I also loved the ending where they brought the two faiths together. I don’t want to spoil it, but I will say I thought Al-Marashi did an excellent job. I also related to the sister part of the plot as well. My own sister was also sick alot too, so I knew what she was going through trying not to seem too big and take up too much space for your busy parents. It was hard to watch her go through the same thing.
I knew I was going to love this when I felt so much while reading this MG book. I usually only get teary in MG and YA books, but every so often there’s one that gives me big feelings. And that would be this one. I kept talking out loud to the characters, I kept getting mad at her parents for not truly seeing her, and I even cried real tears when they brought the faiths together. I was impressed and applauded when they….. *ahem* did it and asked for forgiveness later lol
This book fell into my lap when I wasn’t even expecting it. I had so much fun while reading. The characters were amazing and the plot was too. I hope y’all pick this up. Try something that you might not have read before. I promise, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Overall, I give this
