This is an important book.
It’s about rights, justice, and freedom of girls to receive an education. It’s about how life isn’t fair. It’s about choosing to do scary things. It’s about change.
12-year-old Amal lives in a small village in Pakistan. Being forced into servitude to pay off her family’s debt, she must find a way out. She uses all her strength, smarts, and courage to manage this ordeal.
“You always have a choice. Making choices even when they scare you because you know it’s the right thing to do – that’s bravery”
I was so angry reading this story. I felt Amal’s pain and loss. But I also learned of the power a determined young girl can have when facing class and gender inequities.
Seeing that a 12-year-old girl can create change in a community makes me feel hopeful.
It helps me to believe we can do it too.
Helps with: educational rights for girls, learning about Pakistan, understanding the importance of culture, education and learning, standing up for yourself, standing up for what you believe in, understanding indentured servitude, creating community and change, women’s rights and understanding gender inequality.
Author: Aisha Saeed
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2018