Random House Studio | 978-1984848093

On Muhammad’s seventh birthday, his dad gives him a prayer rug called a salat. It’s beautiful, with “fuzzy patterns and gold stitching.” He’ll use the rug five times a day, following the important traditions of his Islamic faith.

That evening and the next morning, he whispers his prayers to Allah, repeating the words he has learned in Sunday school.

After I pray fair the next morning, I know I’ll do dhuhr too.

Dhuhr comes in the middle of the school days.

Somehow, I’ll find a secret place to do it.

Somehow, asking won’t be scary.

Muhammad wants to be like his daddy, who isn’t afraid to park his ice cream truck  when he’s far from his place of worship, spread his rug on the sidewalk, and pray.

But sometimes, as we all know, it’s hard to draw attention to ourselves, especially when we’re away from home and all that’s familiar. Though Muhummad wants to be like his daddy, when it comes time to ask his teacher, Mrs. Baker, for a private place to pray at school, he can’t push the words out At home, he regrets not speaking up. He wishes he had more courage.

Will Muhammad face his fears and discover the bravery he hopes for?

SALAT in SECRET is a tender story of a young boy who, eventually, finds the courage he needs to be fully and completely himself.

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Learn about Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow’s inspiration for writing Salat in Secret HERE.