I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban Kindle Edition

I checked the audiobook out from the library, forgetting that I had bought the ebook when it was on sale... because I'm that sort of person. As amused and annoyed as I was with myself when I realized this, I actually ended up getting a better experience with the book this way. Malala speaks at the beginning and end of the book, and there's her UN speech as well. So, the audio version is definitely worth listening to.It's pretty emotional, hearing about how so many children in Pakistan are unable to be educated because their poor and/or female. I think it was very important of her to point out that the biggest issue with the ignorance there is because of this lack of education. These people are studying their holy text, but aren't understanding the words. That's something to be said of all religions. It's scary what happens when the uneducated come into power and twist a holy book to their desires. And knowing she stood up for her education despite the threats, she is amazing. Truly.I introduced my 5 year old son to the story of Malala last year, we own a couple picture books about her. I wanted him to know how important it is for all people to be given the opportunity to be educated. Also, I want to raise him to understand that there is no type of person better than another - people of all races, religions, genders, etc. all deserve the same opportunities.To me, the worst part of this was knowing there was a period of time when her father regretted letting her choose an education over her safety. I cannot even imagine the grief her parents went through.I've been reading a lot of non fiction lately, and I've noticed there is a lot of rambling in them. This book didn't have that. It is a fascinating story and I am so glad she lived through being shot. I wish I could afford to go to her talk in Houston, I expect it is going to be great.

In her autobiography, "I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban", Malala Yousafzai tells not only her own story, but that of other people who stood up in their own way for education or against oppression. She argues for the value and power of education again and again, making it clear that it is the most powerful weapon against terrorism or extremism.Malala writes, "'Why don't they want girls to go to school?' I asked my father. 'They are scared of the pen,' he replied" (pg. 118). Further, "The Taliban could take our pens and books, but they couldn't stop our minds from thinking" (pg. 146). Countering the Taliban's claim that education threatens their view of the world, Malala writes, "Education is neither Eastern nor Western, it is human" (pg. 162). She also articulates a place for women's rights in the Muslim world, writing, "...We want to make decisions for ourselves. We want to be free to go to school or to go to work. Nowhere is it written in the Quran that a woman should be dependent on a man. The word has not come down from the heavens to tell us that every woman should listen to a man" (pg. 219). Malala concludes, "Peace in every home, every street, every village, every country - this is my dream. Education for every boy and every girl in the world. To sit down on a chair and read my books with all my friends at school is my right. To see each and every human being with a smile of happiness is my wish" (pg. 313).Though the basics of her story are well-known, everyone should read Malala's autobiography for the insight she offers into the role of geopolitics in creating an opportunity for the Taliban and other extremists to seize power. Education is the strongest weapon against them and knowledge of how they gained they power can be used to prevent it from happening again. All readers can learn from Malala's example and speak up for education and women's rights.

This book is an autobiography of Malala Yousafzai. She wrote about her experience in Pakistan and the effect that the Taliban had on her, her family, and the society. She’s very courageous as a national leader. As a young woman in a country where individual groups and traditional civilians want her silence, Malala didn’t hold anything back when talking about her story. She is authentic and bold. The book also had her parents perspective on the situation in which they went through. Her parents had a significant impact on her and her leadership as of today.I thought that the book was thorough. The story was in chronological order; it made it easier for the readers to follow. She also gave a short but essential background of the society and of her parents which all had affected her and the person she became today. If the reader didn’t know about the culture or her parent's history, they wouldn’t understand why people are inspired by her or what the current situation in Pakistan had on her. She didn’t mention much about her two brothers. Knowing about them would allow us to see their perspective on her as a sister as she is straying from the norm.An important theme that I found compelling is persistence. Malala didn’t give up her passion for education and even risked her life to be educated. Malala values education and school not only for herself but all the girls and boys. When the Taliban bombed schools and forced girls to stay home instead of going to schools, Malala tried everything in her power (interviews, diary, documentary) to be able to attend classes again. Even when shot in the head, she didn’t give in. She turned a local issue into a worldwide discussion.Another theme is gender roles in Pakistan. Women aren't treated equally as men, but instead, the society represses women. Malala grew up with parents that are more liberal which allow her to have more freedom. That is not typically in Pakistan. Malala came to the leader not just for the people in Pakistan, but for all (girls/children) around the world. Because she is a young woman and fight for her rights to be educated, she is slowly changing the society and their view on gender roles.I truly enjoyed the book. Knowing Malala's story made me admire her even though I’ve never met her. I’m also motivated and is inspired to better my education and keep on pushing myself even when it is difficult. She is a role model for everyone. Women, girls, and boys will enjoy reading this book. They could benefit from reading this book by being more motivated, courageous, and to speak up for what is right. Also, anyone who wants to know more about life in Pakistan and Malala’s experience in that society should read it. The book thoroughly talked about her experience in Pakistan and her work.

This book was one of a few autobiographical books I read last year, really in a phase of doing so. But this one is one of the top books I've EVER read. This shouldn't even be a hard decision for people to purchase. I learnt more about Pakistan and Afghanistan, more about the Taliban, more about Islam and Muslim religion, more about the life for people in those countries and the history of the people that live or lived there. This book was eye opening and amazing to read.Malala Yousafzai encompasses stories from her father and from people in history and they all tie into her own. How she stood up for education long before the majority of the world knew who she was, how her father stood up for education before her and how he taught her and helped her and how she helped him. How the war in those countries began and how her life was affected by the worst things you couldn't even imagine experiencing if you live anywhere like I do, the pretty countryside in the south of England. The most I have to deal with is a bus not showing up on time or money problems. This story is about all of the men, women and children who have suffered at the hands of the Taliban and it teaches us who read it the importance of remembering where we live and what we do not understand along with teaching us that we're all the same. We are all human beings and all deserve to be treated with the same amounts of respect and love as each other.Read this book if you're going to read anything this year. Please let it be this.

Malala is a global figure, courageous and inspirational. Of course like everyone else around at the time I knew her story from the media but I had never got around to reading her story in her own words. It is so much more powerful to do this, though I did find some of it (the political parts, acronyms) a bit hard going - Note: there is a glossary at the back.It is clear that Malala has a strong yearning to return to live in Pakistan and it wouldn’t surprise me if one day she were to be a politician in her home country but how many years in the future that may be is anyone’s guess. I wouldn’t think she is in any danger from the Taliban now; to kill her would be to make her a martyr and even more influential, however threats to her family could be a way of silencing her. In the meantime a good education (Oxford University) will stand her in good stead if she does indeed wish to follow in the footsteps of her role model Benazir Bhutto and her Malala Fund and campaigning is doing good around the world. I wish her all the best in her future.

OK so the book arrived and it wasn't in as good a condition as described, but it was acceptable. I have been reading and totally engrossed, find it hard to put down. Not sorry at all that I bought it. In it she mentions the Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. I've read that book and I was sorry that I wasted my money on it.I'm not of school age and not a girl, if you think that this book is just for school girls then you are very wrong. It is a fascinating read an exposition of life and sometimes death in the Swat valley in Pakistan through the early parts of this century as such it will always remain a valuable read.Malala does not sugar coat, but neither does she give any gory detail and does not dwell on being a victim. Along with the basic facts there are anecdotes and memories that never let you forget that she was a child through all of this.

An incredibly powerful and important book from an intelligent young lady. Although it was really slow getting into the story of Malala, it was interesting to learn about Pakistan (as a whole) and how Malala was raised. She is such a remarkable lady and has achieved so much since that day, that you are left thinking "wow" when you realise how young she actually is. A thoroughly remarkable read!

Such a moving story by an extremely brave little girl who stood up to those who would try to silence her, in my opinion this book should be compulsory reading for all school-children. Malala deserves the utmost respect for the way she has overcome her problems; she is a shining example to people everywhere.