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Fatima had one wish . . .
Fatima al-Fihri loved to learn. She wanted to know everything, like how birds flew, why the sky was blue, and how flowers grew. But more than anything, she wanted a school for all, where anyone could study and become whatever they wanted, like teachers, scientists, and doctors.
As she grew older, Fatima carried her one wish inside her, through good times and bad. Fueled by her faith and her determination, she worked hard to make her one wish come true. For over a thousand years, Fatima’s one wish—her school—served students and scholars from around the globe, and it continues to do so today!
With lyrical text by M. O. Yuksel (author of In My Mosque) and stunning illustrations by Mariam Quraishi, this true-life portrait of an extraordinary Muslim woman shows the importance of never giving up on your dreams and how we all have the power to change the world for the better.
Praise for One Wish: Fatima al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University
Awards and Honors
- National Council for Teachers of English Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Recommended Book
- American Library Association 2023 Rise Honoree
- CBC National Council for Social Studies 2023 Notable Social Studies Book
- School Library Journal Best Nonfiction 2022 – SLJ Best Books
- Nerdy Book Club Award for Best Nonfiction Picture Book
- Chicago Public Library 2022 Top Staff Picks
- Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year 2023
- Chicago Public Library Biographies for Children Staff Pick
Featured in
- Horn Book Picture Book Biographies for Women’s History Month 2022
- Kirkus Reviews 6 Children’s Books That Illuminate Women’s History
- BookPage Uplifting Picture Books for Women’s History Month
- BookPage Tidal Forces: Get Inspired by Three Women Who Changed the World by Helping Others
- International Literacy Association, The Reading Teacher Exploring the Purposes of Backmatter in Nonfiction Picture Books for Children: A Typology
- School Library Journal, The Classroom Shelf One Woman’s Legacy: Teaching Ideas for One Wish: Fatima al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University
- Watch. Connect. Read. Cover reveal for ONE WISH, and interview with Mr. Schu
- Nonfiction Fest Research with Confidence: Contacting Experts Despite Imposter Syndrome
- The Picture Book Buzz Q&A with Soaring 20’s Friends
- Writing and Illustrating ONE WISH Book Journey and Giveaway
- Writers’ Rumpus An Uplifting Trio of New Picture Books
- Kidlit Craft Mentor Texts & Illustrations
- Storystorm M.O. Yuksel Plays with POV
Teacher’s Guide
Activities
Maze
- Activity, One Wish
Word Search
- Activity, One Wish
Poster Activity
- Activity, One Wish
Teaching Ideas for One Wish
One Woman’s Legacy: Teaching Ideas for One Wish: Fatima al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University
- Activity, External, One Wish