M.O. Yuksel is the award-winning author of the critically acclaimed picture books IN MY MOSQUE, illustrated by Hatem Aly (HarperCollins, 2021), and ONE WISH: Fatima al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University, illustrated by Mariam Quraishi (HarperCollins, 2022). Her forthcoming books include RAMADAN KAREEM, illustrated by Hatem Aly, SAMI’S SPECIAL GIFT: An Eid Al-Adha Story, illustrated by Huseyin Sonmezay (Charlesbridge, 2024), and PRINCE OF STARS: Ulugh Beg’s Quest to Map the Stars and Seasons, illustrated by Zelma Firdauzia (HarperCollins, 2025). Learn more about her at www.moyuksel.com.

Awards

M.O. Yuksel’s books have won several awards including an American Library Association Notable Book, a School Library Journal Best Book, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, Orbis Pictus Recommended Book, an American Library Association Rise Honoree, a National Council of Social Studies and Children’s Book Council Notable Book, Notable Books for a Global Society Award, Nerdy Book Club Award for Best Nonfiction Picture Book, Texas Library Association Texas Topaz Nonfiction Gem Award, and Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year.

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!).