I am Malala

"I come from a country that was created at midnight. When I almost died it was just after midday." This first line hooked me. Granted, I generally don't read books unless the first line (or at least the first page) hooks me. But it is not just the writing that I enjoyed about this book--as good as it is, I would say that the writing comes secondary to Malala herself. What a beautiful, inspiring, and powerful young woman she is.

If you haven't heard her story yet, Malala Yousafzai is a sixteen-year-old Pakistani who, against all odds, has become a proponent for education, particularly for girls and women. For some people in her country, this is unacceptable. But Malala speaks out, and her family, especially her father, is her constant support and stays by her side. One day, however, because she fights for education, a member of the Taliban shoots Malala in the face.

And yet she has lived to tell the tale.

This book wasn't a page turner for me, but I think that helped me to know Malala better. What an interesting perspective she has! The Middle East is something I feel like most Westerners no little about--at least I know this is the case for me. To hear about it from a young person, someone who loved Twilight by Stephenie Meyer and enjoyed speaking in debates at school makes the history of Islam and her country relatable. While the history of these things has many facets and can be perplexing to an outsider, after finishing this autobiography, I not only knew more, but I came out a better person. And what is reading for, if not that?

Appropriate for ages 16+