Sierra Czubaj – I Am Malala

Photography By Rick Cooper

“Two bullets, three wounds.” On October 9, 2012, people heard the breathtaking story of Malala Yousafzai, a girl fighting for her education rights in Pakistan, her home country. As a result, the Taliban came after her, saying that she should be killed to quiet her voice. They shot her pointblank in the face. The bullet missed her brain but part of her skull had to be removed. Malala survived and the whole world spoke up for her.
The heart-stopping book, I Am Malala, takes place in the once peaceful, Mingora Swat Valley, Pakistan and the bustling city of Birmingham, England.
Malala describes how an earthquake in Pakistan left Swat Valley in terror, allowing the Taliban leader in Swat Valley, Maulana Fazlullah, to play on the fears of the Pashtun, the largest ethnic groups in Afghanistan. Fazlullah’s organization initially helped the Pakistan people after the earthquake, but later used the Pashtuns fear of the Taliban to seize Swat Valley and gain control throughout Pakistan.
The world took note of Malala’s courage in speaking out. As a result, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, making her the youngest person to receive such an honor. Her campaign, the Malala Fund, works towards ending child labor, giving children around the world school supplies, and pays for their schooling. Every donation goes to ending these dispiriting causes. As Malala authentically wrote, “Together we can create a world where every child has the opportunity to go to school and realize their full potential.” I agree!
I devour one book after another and was intrigued by this book because of the description on the front cover: “How one girl stood up for education and changed the world.” I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read that keeps you on your toes. I honestly could not put this phenomenal book down. Although it is a nonfiction autobiography, it is as compelling a read as the fiction bestsellers I like to read.

About Sierra Czubaj

I love the arts and my little sister, Arianna. She and I spend a lot of time playing together, especially with our puppy, Shiloh. I am 11 years old and attend 5th grade at Holy Nativity Episcopal School, doing one of my favorite things, learning. My teachers are Tina Fisher and Audra Resler, who always allow me to ask millions of questions, and store the answers in my mental file cabinet.