I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the…

This is the autobiography of Malala, "the girl who was shot by the Taliban", writing from the safety of England where she is recovering from her injuries. She tells a harrowing story of her home valley of Swat, Pakistan, as it is taken over by Muslim fundamentalists who attempt to stop girls from being educated (among many other similarly disturbing policies). Malala (a top student at her school) and her father (an educator who runs her school, among others) become important spokespeople in favor of educating girls, while the Taliban embark on a campaign of terror and intimidation to try to stop them. Ultimately, after murdering a number of people she knows, a terrorist comes for Malala, who is already world-famous as a spokeperson, and shoots her in the face while she is returning from a school outing.

Malala is aided in her writing by a journalist, and though the book is chock full of history as well as current events, the writing doesn't always feel like it's authentically hers- I wonder how much was massaged by the journalist.

This book is often read by high school students, and I can understand why- it's an inspiring story of perseverance in the face of horrible danger. Malala and her father are amazing people. As literature, though, I find the book falls short. ( )

Fantastic, inspirational story about an amazing young lady. ( )

This well-narrated audiobook provides important historical background about Pakistan since partition from India and the secession of Bangladesh in relating the dramatic story of Malala's journey from sturdy schoolgirl to international spokesperson for girls' rights. I found most moving the account of Malala's family managing the dire circumstances of her care after she was shot. She is a truly remarkable figure. An inspiring, informative memoir. I'll be curious to see which students chose this book for Summer Reading.

This well-narrated audiobook provides important historical background about Pakistan since partition from India and the secession of Bangladesh in relating the dramatic story of Malala's journey from sturdy schoolgirl to international spokesperson for girls' rights. I found most moving the account of Malala's family managing the dire circumstances of her care after she was shot. She is a truly remarkable figure. An inspiring, informative memoir. I'll be curious to see which students chose this book for Summer Reading.

She tries to cover too much in this book- her personal history, history of Pakistan and Swat, etc. and it doesn't always flow. Obviously she is one brave girl though and it's still worth knowing her story. ( )