Linda D. Delgado wrote the Islamic Rose books and now has a new book published, called ‘Catch me if you dare’ (if I remember the title correct that is).
I recently bought one of the Islamic Rose books and am currently reading it to my children who are enjoying it very much. The main character Rose helps a Muslim class fellow who is being bullied for wearing hijab. In addition to being an excellent story the book also teaches Muslims and non-Muslims to understand each other.
Here are links to the interview:
This is an excerpt of the interview part 2:
Q. What are some of your thoughts on why we need to read and how does Islamic fiction fulfill that need?
A. The importance of being able to read well with comprehension (understanding) is critical to children, students at any grade level, and to adults. Literacy is critical to success all through one’s life in education, employment and something as simple as reading street directions. Reading helps to expand the vocabulary of a person/child which leads to a better understanding of the world they live in.
If a child cannot read well, then parents and teachers can expect the child to have difficulty in all most all other studies. When a child, student, adult reads a good fiction story…one that is well-written, creative, interesting, fun, and non-preachy… enjoyment is the benefit. Fiction encourages the individual to enjoy reading which in turn builds on the vocabulary and comprehension skills necessary to be successful in non-fiction reading required for other course work and for employment and everyday living. Reading fiction encourages the reader to expand their imaginations and think of possibilities for many things in life.
Islamic fiction has the added benefit of showing the readers about Islam without the reader feeling they are reading a lesson or being preached to. With so many different genre of IF. One example is historical Islamic fiction. A reader can learn many historical facts about events and people without feeling as though they are reading a text book.