Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World

In this remarkable and inspiring book Malala tells the story of her determination to fight for change and to speak out for all those without a voice. Her courage and steadfastness is breathtaking as she campaigns for girls’ education in war-torn Pakistan. Malala’s voice is compelling and persuasive. She describes the rhythms of everyday life at home, the squabbles with siblings and school friends until normal existence, family life and school are shattered by the dark shadow of oppression under the Taliban, the nightly terrors of bombing and shelling. And yet, with the support of her parents, she finds the courage to keep a daily blog for BBC Urdu, to speak openly to journalists and even to live with death threats from the Taliban. The account of her recovery from being shot at point-blank range is moving and humbling as she is reunited with her family in the strange surroundings of a Birmingham hospital. This extraordinary young woman, possessing a wisdom beyond her years, tells her story simply and without self-consciousness. It deserves to be read by every schoolchild and their teacher in our privileged society where education is freely available to all.

Her original autobiography for an adult audience was published in 2013, but this new edition especially for young readers was written with the author Patricia McCormick, and completed before Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  A thought-provoking end-section includes ideas for group discussion, as well as a helpful timeline and glossary to explain different military groups, Urdu and Pashtun terms.