I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World

Rumors of Malala Yousafzai have spread far and wide. Malala is the girl who got shot by the Taliban, the courageous Pakistani student with a blog, the girl who inspired the world with her unrelenting campaign for women’s education. I Am Malala is her story. We begin with her reminiscence of her childhood, of ball games and sibling squabbles, rivalries and friend drama. However, Malala notes that even then, she could sense gender inequality. The Pakistani women were expected to be demure and obedient. Many were illiterate, including Malala’s mother. Malala treasured her education from an early age and held it close to her heart. Her school was shamed and threatened by a radical Islamic group, but instead of giving up, Malala insisted on going even in the wake of civil war. The events she describes are disturbing and frankly terrifying. Malala risks her life to stand up for her right of education, a universal right of every man and woman. It is a right that we often take for granted in the United States. Malala’s determination and bravery is incredible, and her story is one that will inspire men and women, young and old.