Description
★ “Profiles 13 inspirational athletes…Written and illustrated by two hijabi, these uplifting profiles set off by cheerful illustrations are sure to spark interest. Great for readers passionate about athletics and hijabi representation.”—Booklist, starred review
Meet 13 inspiring hijabi athletes who are changing the rules.
Many of these women were the first in their sport to compete while wearing the hijab. Some were up against cultural traditions that didn't allow girls to play sports. And some fought to have institutional anti-hijab rules changed so that they, and Muslim girls after them, would be able to compete.
Discover the stories of Egyptian beach volleyball player Doaa Elghobashy, UAE hockey player Fatima Al Ali, Afghani soccer player Hajar Abulfazl and Syrian-American runner Rahaf Khatib, among many others. Game Changers shows the next generation of Muslim girls that they don't have to choose between following their religion and following their dreams.
The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Author Bio
Charlene Smith is a hijabi who tries to keep up with her six children in various sports. She lives in Edmonton, Alberta. She enjoys downhill skiing in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta and downhill mountain biking in the Coast and Columbia Mountains of British Columbia. Game Changers is her first book.
Natalya Tariq is an illustrator based in Ottawa, who grew up in Russia and lived in Saudi Arabia. With a professional background in translation, Natalya has a keen interest in different countries, languages and cultures. She started illustration in 2021 as a hobby and developed her art into a second career.
Shireen Ahmed is an award-winning multi-platform Sports Journalist at CBC Sports, and Instructor of Sports Journalism and Sport Media at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is a global expert on Muslim women in Sport, and internationally recognized for her work on racism and misogyny in sports. Shireen lives in Mississauga with her husband, children and cat. She drinks coffee as a tool of resistance.
Prizes
- FOLD Kids Summer Reading ListCommended 2025
- Junior Library Guild (JLG) Gold Standard SelectionCommended 2024
- Forest of Reading Yellow Cedar AwardNominated 2026
- TD Summer Reading Club Recommended ReadsCommended 2025
- 49th Shelf Kids Top Grade: Canlit for the ClassroomCommended 2025
Review Quotes
“Featuring athletes, sports and even countries that might be relatively unfamiliar to the targeted middle-grade audience, the book will appeal to both boys and girls, Muslims and non Muslims…This resource to inspire our Muslim girls is much needed and beautifully done.”
— Islamic School Librarian★ “Profiles 13 inspirational athletes…Written and illustrated by two hijabi, these uplifting profiles set off by cheerful illustrations are sure to spark interest. Great for readers passionate about athletics and hijabi representation.”
— Booklist, starred review“Accessible and inspiring...Game Changers: Stories of Hijabi Athletes From Around the World will inspire readers regardless of their backgrounds. Their passion for the sport they play and their determination to excel at it will motivate readers to pursue their passions, sports or otherwise. Highly recommended.”
— CM: Canadian Review of Materials“The book will enlighten those interested in Islamic women’s opportunities and achievements in sports. For collections requiring more on the hijab and its importance to devout Muslim women, this book is an ideal addition.”
— School Library Journal (SLJ)Biographical note
Charlene Smith is a hijabi who tries to keep up with her six children in various sports. She lives in Edmonton, Alberta, and spends her summers downhill mountain biking in the Coast and Columbia Mountains of British Columbia. Game Changers is her first book.
Natalya Tariq is an illustrator based in Ottawa, who grew up in Russia and lived in Saudi Arabia. With a professional background in translation, Natalya has a keen interest in different countries, languages and cultures. She started illustration in 2021 as a hobby and developed her art into a second career.
