Who Is Malala Yousafzai?

     Who Is Malala Yousafzai by Dimah Brown is the story of a young girl from Pakistan who stood up to the Taliban when they tried to take away her right to go to school. Malala grew up in a peaceful village where her father helped build schools for girls and boys. Malala loved learning from an early age and decided she would do anything to go to school, and so she did. But when war tears her country apart, and strict Taliban beliefs ban all women from going to school or even leaving their homes without a male relative, Malala must stand up for what she believes in. Through writing and speeches, Malala shares with the world how education should be the right of every child no matter their race or gender. She will inspire you and remind you how lucky we are to have the rights that we do.

     This book is a must-read for every child. I believe this because it shows that age means nothing when it comes to changing the world and standing up for what you know is right. My goal is to have all of my students, girls especially, read this book before the end of the year. It is hard not to be inspired by this young girl who stood up to Taliban and almost lost her life for it. Malala shows us all what it means to be brave. I think what will stick with me most from her story is the reminder of how lucky we are in the United States to have rights for women/girls. School and an education should be given to everyone across the world, but it isn't. Malala reminds me to appreciate what I have - the right to go to school - every day because you never know when things can change.