Hena Khan

Hena Khan (born 1973 or 1974) is an American author of children's books. Khan is best known for her middle-grade novel Amina's Voice and its follow-up novel, Amina's Song, which won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children's Literature in 2022. Amina's Voice was the first book published under Simon & Schuster's Salaam Reads imprint in 2017. Khan has authored or co-authored more than twenty picture and middle-grade books.

Early life and education Khan grew up near Rockville, Maryland, as the second of four children born to Pakistani immigrants. Growing up, she enjoyed checking out books from the library.

Khan earned an MA in international affairs from George Washington University.

She has mentioned Beverly Cleary as a writing hero, particularly her Ramona series, and has also cited Louisa May Alcott's Little Women as inspiration for her novel More to the Story.

Khan was approached by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to co-author a Curious George book, titled It's Ramadan, Curious George.

Personal life Khan lives with her family in Rockville, Maryland, She is Muslim. Like the Moon Loves the Sky, illustrated by Saffa Khan (Chronicle Books, 2020) One Sun and Countless Stars: A Muslim Book of Numbers, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini (Chronicle Books, 2022) Zain’s Super Friday, illustrated by Nez Riaz (Lee & Low Books, 2023)

Awards 2022 Asian/Pacific American Award for Children's Literature for Amina's Song