When I first heard the story of Malala Yousafzai, I was at home surrounded by my all of western creature comforts. I could not believe that for all the struggles in the world, that cowards would try to kill a girl simply seeking to learn. In this memoir though, Malala layers an intricate story that illuminates the delicate balance between tribal history, national customs, superstitions, ignorance, and power plays that lay the foundation for the radicalization of the disenfranchised into extremism. In some ways, if you look around the landscape of America, particularly at our echo chambers where disinformation and conspiracy theories thrive, you can see that we are not so safe from our own flavor of extremism. Even worse, we seem perpetually one election away from a future that more closely resembles The Handmaid’s Tale, than an idealized style of western liberalism. At every turn Malala shows how danger hovers around all those who pursue education, but at the same time, the promise of how empowering an education can be draws the young girls back to the classroom. Their courage to keep learning is mirrored by the incompetence around them and successive failures of politicians to develop and protect areas like Swat. You can’t help but wonder that if education and opportunity would have been available to all, that the allure and power of militant groups would have seem backward in comparison. In the absence of a stronger and more just government presence, you see how the dream of what Pakistan’s founder wanted for it, is still being fought for on the ground by everyday people like Malala and her father. I like to say I have had the fortune of being to many parts of the globe that fall into the 2nd and 3rd world category. That travel has made me more appreciative of what I have and disdainful of people complaining about their First world problems. Memoirs like this one and “The New Odyssey” really remind me to be grateful. They also remind us to fight for the just betterment of our little piece of Earth right here. So that opportunity is kept fair and equitable and injustice kept at bay.

This was a very well told and descriptive story! This helps us Americans see into the lives of people in the East. I hope Malala can be able to go home soon.

I could not finish it. That’s rare for me.

I truly enjoyed her, thank you your sharing your heartfelt journey.

Reading this book has made me realize how privileged I am. Sometimes I complain about school and how I don't want to go. As I read I realized how ungrateful I can be. I don't have to fear about getting an education a free one at that. It also opened my eyes to the continuing injustices in the world. "One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world."-Malala Yousafzai

A very moving story; I purchased the young readers edition for my daughter too.

Loved this book. So inspired by a teenage girl. This book is a must, especially for teenage girls

I really enjoyed this book, Malala's writing is very impressive and taking into consideration her age she's very descriptive and I'm really inspired by her and her family's desire to break boundaries for a good cause. Would totally recommend.

I couldn't keep reading it without falling asleep

This book is truly amazing and inspiring! The message in this book made me realize how well lucky we are and how we should do more to helps others.