Bilal and his sister, Ayesha, must adjust to a new school where they are the only Muslim students in attendance. Ayesha is teased by boys who grab her headscarf, but Bilal ignores this and later tells the class that his name is Bill, not Bilal, to avoid more teasing. Bilal’s teacher, however, shares a book about Bilal Ibn Rabah, who was the first person to give the Muslim call to prayer. Reading about this hero from earlier times who suffered persecution for his beliefs helps Bilal eventually stand up for his sister and his own beliefs. Paterson Prize for Books for Young People. nlh

Featured in a New York Times article titled "Teach Your Kids to Resist Hatred Toward Asians"

A young boy wrestles with his Muslim identify until a compassionate teacher helps him to understand more about his heritage. 

After a family move, Bilal and his sister Ayesha attend a new school where they find out that they may be the only Muslim students there. Bilal sees his sister bullied on their first day, so he worries about being teased himself, thinking it might be best if his classmates didn't know that he is Muslim. Maybe if he tells kids his name is Bill, rather than Bilal, then they will eave him alone. But when Bilal's teacher Mr. Ali, who is also Muslim, sees how Bilal is struggling. He gives Bilal a book about the first person to give the call to prayer during the time of the Prophet Muhammad. That person was another Bilal: Bilal Ibn Rabah. What Bilal learns from the book forms the compelling story of a young boy grappling with his identity.