Hena Khan
Headshot for Hena Khan
Agent: Matthew Elblonk
Personal Website

Like so many other writers, I grew up with my nose in a book. My mother believed children should be seen reading and not heard whining about boredom, and regularly took us to the Rockville Public Library with grocery bags to fill with books. Along with grabbing new titles each visit, I often chose the same ones over and over again. And I reread treasured personal copies of my favorites until they fell apart.

The books I connected with as a child left a bigger impression on me than almost anything I come across today. I still think of the characters, stories, random facts and tidbits that I absorbed years ago. That’s why I love writing for kids—in the hopes that they'll pick up something I write more than once, and let it become part of who they are.

Here are a few facts about me: I’m a Pakistani-American Muslim who was born and raised in Maryland, and enjoy sharing and writing about my culture and religion. I've also written about a bunch of other topics, from spies to space travel, that take me out of my reality and on adventures. While not quite as thrilling, I’ve had a few adventures of my own, managed to get to some pretty fantastic places on our planet, and met incredible people. I'm slightly obsessed with Spain, ceramic tiles and pottery, food, flamenco, and good coffee. When I’m not cooking up a story, I’m often actually cooking food or baking treats. I also spend time writing and editing for international organizations that work to improve the health and lives of people around the world.

I’ve been extremely lucky to have a talented editor who encouraged me to write for kids after my elder son was born, as well as lifelong friends who’ve helped shape me into the person I am. Most important, I have two young readers at home who I’m excited to see relish a book, and when impressed, start it over again.

 

  • WE ARE BIG TIME
    Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2024
  • BEHIND MY DOORS: The Story of the World's Oldest Library
    Lee & Low Books, 2024
  • DRAWING DEENA
    Salaam Reads, 2024
  • THE DOOR IS OPEN: Stories of Celebration and Community
    Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2024
  • POWER OF INVISIBILITY (Super You! #2)
    Penguin Workshop, 2023
  • SUPER YOU: POWER OF FLIGHT
    Penguin Young Readers Group, 2022
  • ONE SUN AND COUNTLESS STARS: A Muslim Book of Numbers
    Chronicle Books, 2022
  • ZARA'S RULES FOR RECORD-BREAKING FUN
    Salaam Reads, 2022
  • AMINA'S SONG
    Salaam Reads, 2021
  • CRESCENT MOONS AND POINTED MINARETS: A Muslim Book of Shapes
    Chronicle Books, 2021
  • THE UNICORN RESCUE SOCIETY: THE SECRET OF THE HIMALAYAS
    Penguin Young Readers Group, 2021
  • LIKE THE MOON LOVES THE SKY
    Chronicle Books, 2020
  • ONCE UPON AN EID: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices
    Abrams, 2020
  • ZAYD SALEEM, CHASING THE DREAM
    Salaam Reads, 2020
  • UNDER MY HIJAB
    Lee & Low Books, 2019
  • MORE TO THE STORY
    Salaam Reads, 2019
  • I AM THE NIGHT SKY: ...& Other Reflections by Muslim American Youth
    Shout Mouse Press, 2019
  • THE HERO NEXT DOOR: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology
    Random House Children's Books, 2019
  • WE RISE, WE RESIST, WE RAISE OUR VOICES
    Crown Books for Young Readers, 2018
  • TOTALLY MIDDLE SCHOOL: Tales of Friends, Family, and Fitting In
    Random House Children's Books, 2018
  • AMINA'S VOICE
    Salaam Reads, 2017
  • IT'S RAMADAN, CURIOUS GEORGE
    HMH Books for Young Readers, 2016
  • GOLDEN DOMES AND SILVER LANTERNS: A Muslim Book of Colors
    Chronicle Books, 2015
  • NIGHT OF THE MOON: A Muslim Holiday Story
    Chronicle Books, 2008
  • LIKE A BOSS (Best Wishes #4)
    Forthcoming from Scholastic Books
  • THE MAIN EVENT
    Forthcoming from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers