Review of Who Is Malala Yousafzai?

Who Is Malala Yousafzai?  By Dinah Brown
Ages:  8 - 12 years
Illustrations by Andrew Thomson
Grade Level:  3 – 7
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Another Great Biography!  This one’s from the Who Is series, and they’re great!  Not only do they tell about a historical figure, but they provide background on that figure’s world.  This one tells you about things like the Swat Valley and Mahatmas Gandhi.  But, the best thing about this book is Malala’s story.  She is such a brave person, and so young!  Her father was a teacher who founded several schools in the Swat Valley in Pakistan.  Her mother had no education but wanted one.  When Malala was born, her family didn’t receive gifts because she was a girl. But her parents loved her anyway and continued to, even after two boys arrived.  Malala received the education her mother dreamed of.  She could speak three languages, but life changed when the Taliban moved into the Swat Valley.  They promised to shut down girls’ schools, and they did.   At 12, she wrote a blog for the BBC television network about her school struggles.  The Taliban discovered it and tried to kill her. She was only 14.  Malala survived and refused to be silent.  At 16, she won the Nobel Peace Prize, the youngest recipient ever.  After reading this book, you’ll understand why, and you’ll admire her like I do.  FYI- her mother now goes to school, and Malala helps her with homework.

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