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S&S Children's brings 'Salaam Reads' imprint to UK
Simon & Schuster UK is bringing a children's imprint focused on Muslim characters and stories to the UK. The Salaam Reads imprint was launched by S&S US last year.
Salaam Reads will “introduce readers of all faiths and backgrounds to a wide variety of Muslim children and families”. The imprint, which takes its name from the Arabic word for “peace”, will publish up to 10 titles a year ranging from picture and chapter books to middle-grade and young adult. It aims to offer Muslim children a chance to “see themselves reflected positively in published works”.
Zareen Jaffery, executive editor of the imprint, said: “Salaam Read’s mission- to publish books with Muslim children and families as the main characters- struck a chord in the children’s literature community, and among book lovers worldwide.”
Rhedd Lewis, head of distributed and inter-group sales at S&S UK, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Salaam Reads to bring their list of books and authors to our diverse UK book buying communities.”
Two middle-grade novels will kick off the list next month. Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan follows a Pakistani-American Muslim girl’s struggle to stay true to her family’s vibrant culture while simultaneously blending in at school after tragedy strikes her community. Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi is “an-action packed debut” about a trio of friends imprisoned inside a board game and promises “steampunk Jumanji” mixed with “Middle Eastern flair”.
In September, Salam Alaikum (which translates as “peace be upon you”) will be published, written by Harris J, a London-based recording artist from London who is a “global social media sensation” who boasts 133,000 Twitter followers.
YA debut Saints and Misfits, by S K Ali, will be published in October and is described as a “modern-day 'My So-Called Life' starring a Muslim teen”. In the same month, picture book Yo Soy Muslim by Mark Gonazes, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini, will be published, about a parent who encourages their child to celebrate their multicultural identity.
All the books will retail at £12.99.
For more information, visit salaamreads.com.
