So, I just discovered when I was almost done that I was reading the Young Reader's Edition. Hopefully that didn't affect the quality too much.
It is good to read a serious book amongst the fun ones. This was a very interesting look into what it was like in Pakistan just in the last 10 years. I can't believe that people actually live in fear like this. It's one thing to see on the news, but it is another to read from a first hand account. Just because a voice on the radio said so, a revolution started across the country. And not in a good way. I completely respect the Islamic culture of covering up (because we do something similar), but an extremist group saying that girls couldn't be out in public period? Too far.
Malala was raised by a dad who told her that she was capable of anything. That, coupled with a desire to continue her education and be the best, is what made her a strong leader for her fellow students. It is rare to hear about a man who wanted his daughter to get an education so badly. He even started a girls' school in Pakistan, when it was rare for girls to go to school past age 10 or 11.
All that she did was advocate for education amongst girls. There is nothing wrong with that, unless you are advocating for education against a group of extremists who have shown that they don't care who they target.
Seeing all the horrible sadness that has been happening in Syria and with their refugees while reading this book has made me think of how grateful I am to live in this country. Malala was a lucky one, and so was her family. They got out, and while it was because of an awful incident where a group of cowards targeted a girl, she has been making a recovery and the family has been unscathed otherwise. Many of the people in that part of the world have not been so lucky. The United States has been dealt a blessed hand, and even if this presidential election doesn't go well (ahem, Trump?), it would be prudent to remember that we have it so much better than much of the rest of the world.
Malala was raised by a dad who told her that she was capable of anything. That, coupled with a desire to continue her education and be the best, is what made her a strong leader for her fellow students. It is rare to hear about a man who wanted his daughter to get an education so badly. He even started a girls' school in Pakistan, when it was rare for girls to go to school past age 10 or 11.
All that she did was advocate for education amongst girls. There is nothing wrong with that, unless you are advocating for education against a group of extremists who have shown that they don't care who they target.
Seeing all the horrible sadness that has been happening in Syria and with their refugees while reading this book has made me think of how grateful I am to live in this country. Malala was a lucky one, and so was her family. They got out, and while it was because of an awful incident where a group of cowards targeted a girl, she has been making a recovery and the family has been unscathed otherwise. Many of the people in that part of the world have not been so lucky. The United States has been dealt a blessed hand, and even if this presidential election doesn't go well (ahem, Trump?), it would be prudent to remember that we have it so much better than much of the rest of the world.
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