I Am Malala: Young Reader's Edition by Malala Yousafzai and Patricia McCormick

Can you imagine being told that you are not allowed to attend school?  At first you might like that idea, but to be told you are not allowed to go because you are a girl? This is exactly what happened to Malala Yousafzai. In this Young Reader's Edition of her autobiography, I Am Malala (Lexile: 830; Interest Level: Grades 4-8), Malala Yousafzai tells her story with the assistance of Patricia McCormick.

Malala, a remarkable young woman and winner of the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize, tells her story about how much she enjoyed going to school, and especially learning about science and math.  Soon, she finds herself speaking out for a girl's right to education in a nation in which many religious, and certainly many political, beliefs are opposed to educating girls.  She believed that attending school was her right as a person, even if others, including grown men, and especially the Taliban, disagreed.  And, she found a way to attend school even when she knew her life was in danger.

For those who enjoy hearing the stories of other people, especially the stories of strong female characters, you should definitely read this book.  In fact, I think everyone should know Malala's story because it is inspiring to read about how someone fights with their whole life for something that we take for granted.  (256 p.)

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