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

Malala Yousafzai is the Pakistani girl who won the Nobel Peace Prize at just 17 years old. Her autobiography tells the story of her childhood, particularly the importance her father placed on her education. He owned schools and actively sought to educate women, which is strickly forbidden by the Taliban. The Pakistani Taliban is the terrorist, tribal group that is working to overthrow the Pakistani government and make Pakistan an Islamic state.

Malala followed her father's footsteps even as a child, actively speaking out for female education. Her outspoken demeanor was the reason the Taliban shot her when she was 15 years old. She survived the assassination attempt and ultimately became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She speaks worldwide on the topic of the importance of educating women.

This book is so moving and inspiring. Her life is a crusade to make education available to girls. I felt like American girls most likely take it for granted that they will spend 12-13 years (at least) getting a formal education instead of being made to do physical work to support their families like Malala. Reading the account of her short life so far, really proves how one person and one voice can create a movement that changes a culture. Her life under Taliban rule is demoralizing. I have been more assured to learn about non-profits that are working to eliminate laws that harm women and others that bring women's right to the UN table. Malala was the impetus to bringing global attention to gender equality.