The name Malala Yousafzai is famous the world over, and for good reason—for years now Malala, a teenage girl from the Swat Valley, Pakistan, has been a strong voice in the push for girls’ rights and education. In October of this year, Malala’s book documenting her story, written with foreign correspondent Christina Lamb, was released. I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban went on sale the day before the one-year anniversary of a Taliban attack that led to incredibly serious injuries and Malala’s separation from her homeland.
Swat Valley became part of Pakistan in 1947, and Malala calls it “the most beautiful place in the world.” She lovingly describes its nature and geography, from the flowers to the stone ruins and Buddha statues that her family would picnic by. She writes about it so vividly that it’s not that hard to visualize the setting.
Malala’s family definitely values education, and she has the same love of schooling. She has come first in her class every year except two, and her class liked to be known as the “clever girls”—they decorated their skin with henna in the form of formulae and math, instead of more traditional designs. Malala writes, “You could say I grew up in a school,” as her father opened one before she was born.
Malala tells the reader of her family’s life in Swat, as well as the valley’s history and the events taking place in the country during this time. Trouble really comes to Malala’s home with the arrival of Maulana Fazlullah, a member of the Taliban who starts a radio station nearby. As Fazlullah’s power grows along with the Taliban’s, attacks and threats occur throughout the area. A girl is killed for dancing. Schools are blown up. Malala joins her father and his friends in speaking out, as do her classmates.
Malala writes really, really well, and she describes the events of her life honestly and clearly, making the book eye-opening and interesting. She describes her home and school in a way that shows the reader why she loves it, and the Taliban’s actions and the reluctance of the police and government to act seem more and more terrible.
After she was shot in the head on the way home from school, Malala was transported to England, where her family now lives. Two other girls were also injured by the Taliban gunman, Shazia and Kainat, and Shazia is now attending school in Wales.
Malala has now started the Malala Fund, an organization that “aspires to invest in efforts that empower local communities, develop innovative solutions that build upon traditional approaches, and deliver not just basic literacy, but the tools, ideas and networks that can help girls find their voices and create a better tomorrow.” The Fund intends to improve the world by giving girls the tools they need to fulfill their potential and get an education. You can learn more at malalafund.org, and you can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
The Taliban attacker who shot Malala asked “Who is Malala?” before firing. With this book, Malala gives an answer.
For more information, visit:
http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/malala-yousafzai/i-am-malala/9780316322409/
