"Arab American" is a large and diverse identity umbrella referring to Americans with Arab ancestry.  It includes immigrants from Arab countries in Northern Africa and Southwest Asia as well as their descendants.  According to the Arab American Institute, the U.S. is home to 3.7 million Arab Americans.

While many different kinds of events and celebrations have recognized Arab American lives and histories,  Arab American Heritage Month is a very recent observation.  The Arab America Foundation launched the National Arab American Heritage Month initiative in 2017, and it was not until 2022 that the federal government recognized the month!

This April, celebrate by getting to know some brilliant Arab American authors!  If you're interested in reading about the history of Arab American literature, check out this article (although, warning: it's an academic piece, so not the easiest or quickest read).  Or, check out some of our favorite Arab American authors below.

Literature & Adult Fiction

Memoir & Nonfiction

Poetry

Middle Grade & Young Adult

Picture Books & Chapter Books