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Official Synopsis from Amazon: “I come from a country that was created at midnight. When I almost died it was just after midday.”

When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education.

On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive.

Instead, Malala’s miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen, she became a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize.

I AM MALALA is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls’ education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons.

I AM MALALA will make you believe in the power of one person’s voice to inspire change in the world.

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Genre: Nonfiction
Setting: Swat Valley, Pakistan and Birmingham, England | from approx 1997 to 2015
My copy came from: I purchased the paperback from Amazon.

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Review: Absolutely fascinating nonfiction about one girl’s fight for education. This is a must-read!

Who is Malala? I am Malala and this is my story.

I Am Malala tells the story of Malala Yousafzai, the girl that was shot in the head by the Taliban on her way home from school. Miraculously, she survived, and her story is one of courage, inspiration, and a hunger for education. I Am Malala starts out with Malala’s birth, and details her life in the Swat Valley area of Pakistan, and shows her relationship with her parents and siblings. She really has a beautiful relationship with her father, Ziauddin, and he always inspired Malala to reach for that education and never back down.

I began to see that the pen and the words that come from it can be much more powerful than machine guns, tanks or helicopters. We were learning how to struggle. And we were learning how powerful we are when we speak.

Besides Malala’s upbringing and family life, the book details the history of Pakistan, and I found these sections absolutely fascinating. I learned so much reading this book; it was truly eye opening, and I’d love to read more about the area and it’s history. I Am Malala was a book club read, and some in the book club found the more historical sections dry, but I didn’t feel this way. I was glued to the page and fascinated by all of the historical sections, and even wanted more.

“Let us pick up our books and our pens,” I said. “They are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.”

At times Malala’s voice can seem a bit arrogant; she is very sure in herself, and this got to be a bit grating at times. But, this is a testament to her drive and determination. That she can still be so sure in who she is after living through the fear and instability. She truly is remarkable, and an inspiration! I am reminded again about how much one person can do.

Since this was a book club read, I should mention that my book club had a really wonderful discussion about the book! I Am Malala brings up so many discussion topics that we could’ve talked about all night long. It is an excellent discussion book, and I think would also be interesting to discuss in a classroom setting.

Peace in every home, every street, every village, every country—this is my dream. Education for every boy and every girl in the world. To sit down on a chair and read my books with all my friends at school is my right. To see each and every human being with a smile of happiness is my wish.
I am Malala. My world has changed but I have not.

I Am Malala is a truly important book in detailing how important education is for everyone. I would classify the book as a must-read for everyone. It helps to shed light on the history of the area, and is an inspiration as it shows how one person can truly make a difference in the world. I am so thankful that I read this book.

Bottom Line: Must-read nonfiction that educates as well as inspires.

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Links to I Am Malala on Amazon   |   Goodreads

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Have you read I Am Malala? Is she an inspiration to you?