Ibtihaj Muhammad

Ibtihaj Muhammad is an American athlete, author, and entrepreneur who made history as the first Muslim American woman to compete and medal for the United States wearing a hijab in the Olympic Games. She won a bronze medal in the team sabre fencing event at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Prior to her Olympic success, Muhammad was a three-time All-American at Duke University and went on to rank as high as No. 2 in the USA Fencing national rankings. She has been inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame and was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People. Beyond athletics, Muhammad has authored multiple books including her memoir "Proud: My Fight for an Unlikely American Dream" and the children's picture book "The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family." She also launched a clothing company, Louella, which focuses on modest fashion designs. Muhammad continues to advocate for diversity and inclusion in sports while speaking about her experiences as a minority athlete. Her work has earned recognition from the U.S. State Department, which named her a sports ambassador, and she was honored with her own Barbie doll as part of Mattel's "Shero" collection.

Reader reviews focus on Muhammad's memoir "Proud" and children's book "The Proudest Blue." Readers appreciate her candid discussion of facing discrimination as a Muslim athlete and her messages about perseverance. Parents note that "The Proudest Blue" helps children understand religious and cultural differences. Likes: - Personal storytelling style that connects with young readers - Representation of Muslim characters in sports and children's literature - Messages about overcoming obstacles - Quality of S.K. Ali's co-writing in "The Proudest Blue" Dislikes: - Some find "Proud" repetitive in discussing certain challenges - A few readers wanted more depth about her Olympic experiences - Some note the writing can be basic at times Ratings: Goodreads - "Proud": 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) - "The Proudest Blue": 4.4/5 (3,900+ ratings) Amazon - "Proud": 4.7/5 (280+ ratings) - "The Proudest Blue": 4.9/5 (1,900+ ratings)

The Proudest Blue A picture book about a young girl's first day wearing hijab to school, told through the eyes of her younger sister who witnesses both challenges and pride throughout the day.

Proud: My Fight for an Unlikely American Dream A memoir chronicling Muhammad's journey from a young athlete in New Jersey to becoming the first Muslim American woman to win an Olympic medal while wearing hijab.

Malala Yousafzai writes about education, activism, and her experiences as a young Muslim woman standing up for her rights in Pakistan. Her memoir "I Am Malala" and other works share themes of perseverance and breaking barriers that align with Muhammad's message.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar combines sports excellence with social commentary in his books that explore African American history and Muslim American experiences. His writing style bridges athletics and cultural insights similar to Muhammad's approach in her memoir.

G. Willow Wilson writes both memoir and fiction centered on Muslim American identity and breaking cultural boundaries. Her work "The Butterfly Mosque" examines her conversion to Islam and life in Egypt, while her comics writing includes the Ms. Marvel series featuring a Muslim superhero.

Hena Khan creates children's books featuring Muslim American characters and families navigating cultural identity. Her books like "Amina's Voice" address similar themes to Muhammad's "The Proudest Blue" about wearing hijab and embracing one's identity.

Asma Gull Hasan writes about Muslim American experiences from a contemporary perspective that challenges stereotypes. Her books examine the intersection of American and Muslim identity while addressing misconceptions, similar to Muhammad's approach in her writing.