I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World by Malala Yousafzai and Patricia McCormick Review

I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World

by Malala Yousafzai and Patricia McCormick

An ilovemys(h)elf Review

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Edition: Audiobook, Young Readers Edition

# of Pages: 240

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Recommend?: Yes

We tend to remember the happiest, saddest, surprising, often the most tragic aspects of our pasts. In other words, we find the rather extreme moments in our lives to be the most memorable.

With that being said, I remember the first time I had learned about Malala Yousafzai and the tragedy that had struck her, and the unmatched unique bravery that led her to challenge the radical, discriminatory, and questionable theology of the Taliban.

If anything Malala's life is a testimony, a token to all the men, women, boys, and girls who have stood up for what is right and who have spoken out against injustice, but were unfortunately silenced permanently by the forces of terrorism. 

"We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced."

Yousafzai's situations weren't perfect, but they were favorable:

1) Her wonderful father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, was an activist for female education, and as a result continued to encourage Malala's efforts in school.

2) Malala also had a deep love and enjoyed receiving an education (a right that is often taken for granted in many areas of the world).

3) Her family did not use the Quran against Malala, but rather, for her. 

4) Above all, The Yousafzai’s were hardly coaxed with fear; these people pushed through the hateful attacks and threats. 

Malala’s family is a great example of the fearlessness we need more of in this world. 

I Am Malala's Malala Yousafzai

Before reading this book, I did not understand why first learning about Malala seemed like such a monumental time in my life. Her story not only sent shivers down my spine, but it reminded me what ‘being good’ really means in such a horrid world. I now know why her story means something to me. Malala is a humble, fearless, and inspiring political figure who not only survived a bullet to the head (!!) but also exceeded the worldly expectations that the Taliban and the rest of Pakistan had of her. 

As I said, Malala is a testimony. She is a testimony to not only the courageous men and women that have passed but to the all of us. Her story is a testimony of what can happen when you defy injustice and remain rounded in the rights that you were born with. 

The book was an experience for me because, before reading her memoir, the only things I knew about Malala were things you could get off unreliable Wikipedia pages. 

You learn that Yousafzai, although extraordinary at her age, had dreams and hopes that aren’t so different to ours.

Although the book is not as inspiring as Yousafzai’s story, there is a looming sense of greatness, struggle, and courage between the lines of every page.

"The Pen is Mightier than the Sword"