M.O. Yuksel is an award-winning author of several acclaimed picture books, including In My Mosque, One Wish: Fatima al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University, Ramadan Kareem, Sami’s Special Gift: An Eid al-Adha Story, and The Prince of Stars: Ulugh Beg’s Quest to Map the Stars and Seasons. Her books, honored with accolades like the Orbis Pictus Honor, ALA Notable, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard, and TLA Topaz Nonfiction Gem Award, celebrate diversity and offer rich insights into Muslim traditions that inspire readers of all ages. www.moyuksel.com.

Awards

Her books have won several awards, including American Library Association Notable Book, a School Library Journal Best Book, and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection, Cooperative Children’s Book Center Best Choice, Notable Books for a Global Society, Anna Dewdney Honor Book, English Association Nonfiction Picture Book Award, Texas Library Association Topaz Nonfiction Gem Award, and Virginia Readers’ Choice Award, National Council of Teachers of English Orbis Pictus Recommended Book, an American Library Association Rise Honoree, a Children’s Book Council Notable Social Studies Trade Book, Nerdy Book Club Award for Best Nonfiction Picture Book, and School Library Journal Best Nonfiction Book.

3 Fun Facts

1. She lived on three continents and crossed two multiple times in one day! (Hint-hint: Istanbul, Türkiye, the city that spans two continents).
2. She speaks three languages – English, Turkish, Uzbek, and understands several – Spanish, Azeri, Kazak, Kyrgyz, Turkmen, Uyghur.
3. If she had her way, she’d eat dessert first at every meal (but don’t tell her kids!).