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A True Book

Malala Yousafzai (A True Book: Biographies) (A True Book

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At the age of 11, Malala Yousafzai began writing a blog in support of education for girls in Pakistan. As the blog gained popularity and Yousafzai became famous, she faced opposition from religious extremists who were against women's right to education. Readers (Grades 3-5) will discover how Yousafzai stood her ground against terrorist activists, even after being shot for her beliefs. They will also learn how Yousafzai achieved international recognition and how she continues to support the rights of women in her home country.

48 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2015

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63 people want to read

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Robin S. Doak

89 books5 followers

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5 stars
27 (39%)
4 stars
25 (36%)
3 stars
13 (19%)
2 stars
1 (1%)
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2 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Grace Galinski.
59 reviews21 followers
March 1, 2017
I read this book a while ago, I just never got around to doing the review. So...here ya go!

I found this book pretty okay. It was on an interesting topic, but since it's small, the information wasn't that detailed. Although it seems like it was written for a younger age level, so I'm guessing that's why. The book did include some interesting things, I just probably should have chosen a different book if I wanted more information on her. (Which I'm thinking of doing)
20 reviews
January 18, 2017
This was a good short book about Malala, it made me want to read more about her! Overall I enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Kaylee D.
22 reviews45 followers
November 27, 2018
This book talks about everything she had to go through during her childhood life and how she didn't agree with her not being able to see her father let alone any males. Then she goes and talks about trying to get every girl in Pakistan should have access to education and this did not happen often.
She had then gotten shot by men and had to be taken to a hospital and had been in there for a few days. She had paralyzed her light side of her face and fixed her damaged left ear. She now today still stands up and fights for equality. She has written a book, her book is called I Am Malala that is because of what the attackers were asking her and her friend group right before they got shot. She has written that book to ''all the girls who have faced injustice and have been silenced.'' Together she promises, they will be heard. This book is a short read summing up what her childhood life was like and what she is doing now to change somethings. If you want to hear a powerful message and kind of learn what people who were ''different' childhoods life was like you should read this short book or her newest book she has published.
37 reviews2 followers
November 29, 2016
It was boring and I didn't like it at all, except for the fact that it was really short.
Profile Image for Karessa A..
26 reviews51 followers
May 31, 2019
One thing I can about this book is that it is short but informational. I once started her autobiography when I was at a friends house who had the book but never really finished it nor got into it very far, but after reading this biography I think that I would love to read her autobiography because her story is truly an inspiration. It really hit home for me with all the big fears and challenges I know I am going to face in the future and really made me want to do something about it. This book basically just explained the events and goals of Malala's life. I am really interested in reading a more in-depth book on it because the events that are described in the book are incredibly powerful and horrifying. I think that anyone that is thinking about reading her autobiography but isn't quite sure about it should read this first because it really gives you an overview of what her autobiography is about. Plus it is a really, really fast read and super easy to get through.
Profile Image for Sayde S..
31 reviews2 followers
November 15, 2019
This was surprisingly a good book, I picked it up because I needed a biography book, and I definitely wasn't expecting it to be this good! Its all about how a girl (Malala) stood up for girls' education, and during the time her homeland was a battlefield. The Taliban had taken control of where she lived, and had set up certain rules, But; Malala being the daring person she was decided to go against the Taliban, which was something no one would ever even think about doing. The result of her doing this caused her to get shot in the head by the Taliban while riding the bus home from school. Miraculously she survived, and this book is all about her life story.
Profile Image for Lauren Morris.
197 reviews8 followers
August 6, 2025
This was a great read! Very easy read too so students can understand it.
Profile Image for Sophia Riccardi.
11 reviews
February 28, 2017
This book is about a young girl that fought for women's rights for education in Pakistan. Malala Yousafzai is the youngest person ever to win a Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 17. In 2012 Malala was shot in the head almost killed by a member of a terrorist group. She was in a hospital for a long time. The cause of this you ask, she made a statement that girls in Pakistan should have the access to education.
I really like this book because it tells the readers more about Malala that most people don't know. Malala is a very interesting teenage girl and still has a lot of life still left in her. She has been through a lot in her year of life, but because of that she will make the other years a head of her even better.
Profile Image for Julie Carpenter.
1,924 reviews239 followers
December 17, 2015
Wow. How amazing would it be if more people...even everyone stood up for what was right? What an incredible young girl to do what she has done for the freedom of education for girls.

My daughter saw this at the library and was super excited to check it out. She told me her class had talked about Malala and my daughter then started to tell me about her. She definitely has inspired many people to try and stand up for what they believe and for the chance to reach for their dreams.

Happy Reading!!!
Profile Image for Kimmie.
336 reviews8 followers
September 8, 2015
A great introduction to Malala for the younger crowd. I read her autobiography I Am Malala, and was hoping for something that my students would be able to read and understand.
Profile Image for Anca.T.
44 reviews13 followers
January 8, 2016
I read this version for the younger crowd at the library,while waiting for my daughter's science club to end. It was ok, I am intrigued now and will definitely read the book.
Profile Image for Jenny Larges.
45 reviews
December 10, 2017
Summary “Malala Yousafzai”: A wonderful story about the youngest person in history to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani girl who became an activist for the education rights of girls in her country.

Reading level: MG, BL 5.4

Characteristics that Support the Genre: Photos and timeline of Malala’s like from birth to current.

Mentor Writing Traits:
Idea: An inspirational story about a young girl who wants to become a doctor and knows that if the extremist views in her country don’t change, she won’t be allowed to go to school because she’s a girl. She has become such an influence that an assassination attempt has been made against her, forcing her and her family to leave their beloved country.
Organization: Set up in a timeline from her childhood to current events of life on the road as a speaker, author and activist.
Voice: The reader empathizes through the many photos, maps and explanations of her story. They appreciate the characteristics of a typical teenager who argues with her brothers and Skypes with her friends.
Word Choice: Glossary included in the back.
Conventions: The text offers a variety options based on whether it’s a mini-section of a chapter, verbiage to support a photo or special commentary to understand.
Presentation: Logical timeline of events, helpfully supported with photos and dates.

Classroom Integration: I would use this book and her story as part of a social studies or history lesson, or perhaps within a literacy program studying biography or diaries.
Profile Image for Elise S..
22 reviews
Read
December 9, 2019
I thought this book was okay. It had a pretty interesting topic, but the book was very little so it was pretty easy to read. I would recommend this book to younger age levels since it is so easy to read. I liked the topic, although it didn't have a huge amount of information
Profile Image for Ro Menendez.
565 reviews19 followers
February 6, 2016
The "A True Book" series is seriously "hip" in its teen magazine type of layout, with text boxes, questions, and high quality photographs. This title is not an exception. Malala Yousafzai is a model for tween and teen readers to follow, but they might not pick up the book on their own if not for the modern format. Malala's story includes violence and although other publications I've read have been too blunt in explaining it, the progression that Robin Doak develops in this biography prepares the reader and softens the shock of it. The progression also explains clearly the brave actions that Malala took in order to bring peace and the right to education to all girls in her country. This may serve to inspire readers to stand up and advocate for what they are passionate about in the world. The text has multiple and varied examples of text features, and is divided in chapters, which provides at-promise readers a self-confidence boost. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Meredith.
743 reviews3 followers
September 10, 2015
This is a very well written book about Malala, her family, her fight for equal education for girls in Pakistan, and her continuing activism. This book is perfect for young readers eager to learn about this young hero.
Profile Image for Tracey.
359 reviews2 followers
February 24, 2016
a great, condensed story of a young, true hero's life.
39 reviews
April 6, 2017
1. Awards the book has received (if any):
2. Appropriate grade level(s): Second to fifth grade
3. Original 3-line summary: Malala Yousafzai is an inspirational young girl from Pakistan who at 11 years old began writing a blog regarding women's right to receive an education. Although she received hatred and dislike from people, she stood her ground and continued to fight for her right to get an education. Step into the world of Malala and travel with her through her journey to an education.
4. Original 3-line review: This book is such a wonderful piece that focuses on the importance of education where education isn't a standard aspect of life that everyone has the right to. I think Malala is such an amazing and strong young woman who not only impacted Pakistan's view of education but women's education around the world. She's an inspiration and I loved reading this book and learning more about her.
5. 2-3 possible in-class uses: Writing activity about why they think education is important or how they would feel if they couldn't go to school, students use what they learn about Malala's brave and extraordinary efforts to write and present a speech announcing her as a recipient of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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