CJ Reviews I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

Title: I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban 
Author: Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb
Publication Date: October 8, 2013
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5 stars

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 has become a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

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. (Goodreads)

This may not be a long review, because I sometimes how trouble talking about a book I really loved without merely rambling and gushing about it.

I am Malala tells the story of Malala Yousafzai’s life in her own words, from the time she was a young girl growing up through the time she was shot and her recovery. Malala tells her story beautifully and in such a compelling manner – I simply could not put it down.

Malala’s entire life has been devoted to fighting for equality and education for women. She was fortunate to be raised by a man who supported these ideals as well. Her story is fascinating and inspiring.

Not only does this book give readers insight into Malala’s life, but it also lets you see inside the culture of Islam and Pakistan. This is a book that every man, woman, Christian, Muslim, atheist … basically every human being should read. Malala’s story is one of those that helps restore some faith in humanity.

I don’t often read straight memoirs – by which I mean I tend to prefer those that are more humorous in nature. However, lately I’ve been branching out in my reading and I’m very glad I have. I’ve discovered there are a lot of books I thought I wouldn’t enjoy but actually do, and this is one of them.

Even if memoirs aren’t typically your choice genre for reading, I recommend at least giving this one a chance. Malala is an amazing young woman and her story is one everyone should know.