I Am Malala: A Memoir of Courage and Hope by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb
I Am Malala Book Online: A Review and Summary
If you are looking for a book that will inspire you, challenge you, and move you, then you should read I Am Malala, the autobiography of Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate in history. In this book, Malala tells her remarkable story of how she defied the Taliban, fought for girls' education, and survived a near-fatal shooting. In this article, we will review and summarize the book, and tell you how you can read it online.
I Am Malala Book Online
Introduction
Who is Malala Yousafzai?
Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist and Nobel laureate who was born on July 12, 1997, in Mingora, a city in the Swat Valley of Pakistan. She is the daughter of Ziauddin Yousafzai, an educator and social activist, and Toor Pekai Yousafzai, a homemaker. She has two younger brothers, Khushal and Atal.
Malala grew up in a culture where girls were often denied their right to education, and where the Taliban imposed their harsh version of Islamic law. Despite these obstacles, Malala developed a passion for learning and a voice for speaking up. She attended her father's school, the Khushal School, where she excelled in her studies and participated in public speaking competitions. She also wrote a blog for the BBC Urdu service under the pseudonym Gul Makai, where she shared her experiences of living under the Taliban's rule.
On October 9, 2012, when Malala was 15 years old, she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman while she was on her way home from school. The bullet hit her left eye socket and traveled through her head, neck, and shoulder. She was rushed to a local hospital, then flown to a military hospital in Peshawar, and then to a hospital in Birmingham, England. She underwent several surgeries and treatments, and miraculously survived.
After recovering from her injuries, Malala continued her education in England, where she currently lives with her family. She also became a global advocate for girls' education and women's rights. She founded the Malala Fund, a nonprofit organization that supports girls' education projects around the world. She also delivered a powerful speech at the United Nations on her 16th birthday, where she declared: "One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world."
In 2014, Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with Kailash Satyarthi, an Indian activist for children's rights. She was 17 years old at the time, making her the youngest Nobel laureate ever. She also received many other honors and awards, such as the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, the International Children's Peace Prize, and the Simone de Beauvoir Prize.
What is the book about?
I Am Malala is the autobiography of Malala Yousafzai, co-written with Christina Lamb, a British journalist. The book was published in 2013 by Little, Brown and Company. It has been translated into more than 40 languages and has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide.
The book covers Malala's life from her birth to her recovery from the shooting. It also provides historical and cultural context about Pakistan, Islam, and the Taliban. The book is divided into five parts: Part One: Before the Taliban; Part Two: The Valley of Death; Part Three: Three Girls, Three Bullets; Part Four: Between Life and Death; and Part Five: A Second Life.
The book is a compelling and inspiring account of Malala's courage, resilience, and vision. It is also a testament to the love and support of her family, friends, and teachers, who helped her overcome the challenges and threats she faced. The book is not only a personal memoir, but also a call to action for everyone to stand up for their rights and for the rights of others.
Why is the book important?
I Am Malala is an important book because it sheds light on the issues of education, women's rights, and extremism that affect millions of people around the world. It also shows the power of one person's voice and actions to make a difference in the world.
The book is important because it educates readers about the situation in Pakistan, a country that is often misunderstood or misrepresented in the media. It also exposes the brutality and hypocrisy of the Taliban, who claim to follow Islam but violate its teachings and values. The book also challenges the stereotypes and prejudices that some people have about Muslims, especially Muslim women.
The book is important because it inspires readers to pursue their dreams and passions, regardless of the obstacles or dangers they may face. It also motivates readers to speak up for what they believe in, and to join forces with others who share their vision. The book also encourages readers to appreciate their education and their freedom, and to use them for good.
The Life of Malala
Growing up in Swat Valley
Malala was born and raised in Mingora, the largest city in the Swat Valley of Pakistan. The Swat Valley is a beautiful region with lush green mountains, rivers, and forests. It is also rich in history and culture, as it was once home to ancient civilizations and Buddhist kingdoms. Malala loved her homeland and its people, who were mostly Pashtuns, an ethnic group with a strong sense of honor and hospitality.
Malala had a happy childhood with her loving family and friends. She enjoyed going to school, reading books, watching TV, playing games, and exploring nature. She was especially close to her father, who treated her as his equal and encouraged her to pursue her education and interests. She also admired her mother, who was illiterate but determined to learn how to read and write.
Malala was proud of her heritage and religion. She was a devout Muslim who prayed five times a day, fasted during Ramadan, and followed the teachings of the Quran. She also respected other faiths and cultures, as she learned from her father's example of tolerance and dialogue. She celebrated both Islamic and Pashtun festivals, such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Shab-e-Barat, Nowruz, and Malang Jan.
Facing the Taliban's oppression
Malala's life changed dramatically when the Taliban came to Swat Valley in 2007. The Taliban were a radical Islamist group that emerged in Afghanistan in the 1990s. They claimed to enforce sharia law, but in reality they imposed their own twisted version of Islam that violated human rights and dignity. They banned music, TV, art, sports, and other forms of entertainment. They destroyed schools, mosques, shrines, statues, and other historical sites. They terrorized people with bombings, shootings, beheadings, floggings, and public executions. They especially targeted women and girls, who were forced to wear burqas (full-body veils), stay at home, and give up their education.
Malala witnessed the horrors of the Taliban's rule firsthand. She saw her beloved Swat Valley turn into a war zone. She heard the explosions of bombs and guns. She saw the corpses of innocent people on the streets. She felt the fear of being attacked or killed at any moment. She also experienced the loss of her freedom and rights as a girl. She had to hide her books under her shawl. She had to stop going to school for months. She had to live under constant threats from the Taliban.
Malala refused to accept the Taliban's oppression. She spoke out against them on various platforms. She wrote a blog for the BBC Urdu service under the pseudonym Gul Makai (cornflower), where she shared her daily life under the Taliban's rule. She gave interviews to local and international media outlets such as Geo TV, Dawn News, Aaj TV, Al Jazeera English, and The New Surviving a bullet to the head
Malala's life was almost cut short on October 9, 2012, when she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman while she was on her way home from school. The bullet hit her left eye socket and traveled through her head, neck, and shoulder. She was rushed to a local hospital, then flown to a military hospital in Peshawar, and then to a hospital in Birmingham, England. She underwent several surgeries and treatments, and miraculously survived.
Malala's survival was seen as a miracle by many people around the world. She received an outpouring of support and prayers from millions of people, including celebrities, politicians, religious leaders, and ordinary citizens. She also received thousands of cards, gifts, and messages from well-wishers. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and named one of Time magazine's most influential people of 2013.
Malala's recovery was not easy or painless. She had to endure physical and emotional challenges, such as losing hearing in her left ear, having facial nerve damage, suffering from nightmares and flashbacks, and missing her home and friends. She also had to face the reality that she could never return to Pakistan safely, as the Taliban still wanted to kill her. She had to adapt to a new life in England, where she continued her education at a girls' school.
The Message of Malala
The power of education
Malala's message is simple but powerful: education is a right for everyone, especially for girls. She believes that education is the key to unlocking the potential of every child, and the solution to many of the world's problems. She argues that education can empower girls and women to overcome oppression and discrimination, and to contribute to their societies and economies. She also asserts that education can foster peace and tolerance among different religions and cultures.
Malala's message is based on her own experience of education. She credits her father for instilling in her a love of learning and a respect for knowledge. She cherishes her school as a place where she can explore her interests and talents, and where she can make friends and have fun. She values her teachers as mentors and role models who inspire her to achieve her goals. She also acknowledges the sacrifices that many girls make to get an education, such as walking long distances, facing harassment or violence, or defying their families or communities.
Malala's message is also backed by facts and statistics. She cites that there are more than 130 million girls out of school worldwide, and that girls face multiple barriers to education such as poverty, child marriage, gender-based violence, lack of sanitation facilities, cultural norms, and armed conflicts. She also points out that investing in girls' education has multiple benefits such as reducing maternal and child mortality, improving health and nutrition, increasing income and productivity, enhancing environmental sustainability, and promoting democracy and human rights.
The courage of speaking out
Malala's message is not only about education; it is also about speaking out for what is right. She believes that everyone has a voice and a responsibility to use it for good. She challenges everyone to stand up against injustice and oppression, and to demand their rights and freedoms. She urges everyone to join her in her fight for girls' education and women's rights.
Malala's message is based on her own courage of speaking out. She recalls how she started raising her voice when she was only 11 years old, when she wrote a blog for the BBC Urdu service under the pseudonym Gul Makai (cornflower), where she shared her daily life under the Taliban's rule. She remembers how she gave interviews to local and international media outlets such as Geo TV, Dawn News, Aaj TV, Al Jazeera English, and The New York Times, where she expressed her views on education and peace. She recounts how she delivered speeches at various events and forums such as the National Peace Award ceremony, the District Child Assembly, and the Provincial Child Assembly, where she advocated for girls' rights and challenged the authorities to take action. She also describes how she faced threats and attacks from the Taliban and other extremists who wanted to silence her.
Malala's message is also supported by examples and stories. She mentions other brave people who spoke out for their causes, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Mohandas Gandhi, and Mother Teresa. She also shares the stories of other courageous girls and women who fought for their education and rights, such as Shazia Ramzan and Kainat Riaz, her friends who were also shot by the Taliban; Ayesha, a girl who escaped from a forced marriage; Shamsia, a girl who was attacked with acid for going to school; and Mezon, a girl who became a teacher in a refugee camp.
The hope for a better world
Malala's message is not only about speaking out; it is also about hoping for a better world. She believes that everyone can make a positive difference in the world, no matter how small or big. She encourages everyone to act with compassion and kindness, and to help those in need. She invites everyone to join her in her vision of a world where every child can live in peace and dignity, and where every girl can learn and lead without fear.
Malala's message is based on her own hope for a better world. She reflects on how she survived the shooting and how she was given a second life. She considers it a miracle and a blessing from God, and she feels grateful for the opportunity to continue her mission. She also feels hopeful for the future, as she sees signs of change and progress in the world. She celebrates the achievements and successes of girls and women around the world, such as Malala Fund's Gulmakai Network, a group of local education champions who are working to improve girls' education in their communities; the Global Partnership for Education, a multilateral partnership that supports education in developing countries; and the Sustainable Development Goals, a set of global goals that aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030.
Malala's message is also inspired by her faith and values. She draws strength and guidance from her religion, Islam, which teaches her to love God and humanity, to seek knowledge and wisdom, to respect diversity and pluralism, to uphold justice and equality, to promote peace and harmony, and to serve others and the common good. She also follows the examples of her role models, such as Muhammad, the prophet of Islam; Khadija, the first wife of Muhammad and a successful businesswoman; Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad and a leader of women; Aisha, the youngest wife of Muhammad and a scholar of Islam; and Rumi, a poet and mystic of Islam.
Conclusion
How to read the book online
If you are interested in reading I Am Malala, you can find it online in various formats and languages. You can buy the book as an e-book or an audiobook from online retailers such as Amazon, Apple Books, Google Play Books, Audible, or Kobo. You can also borrow the book from online libraries such as OverDrive or Hoopla. You can also access the book from online platforms such as Scribd or Bookmate. You can also read the book in other languages such as Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Spanish, Urdu, or Zulu.
What can we learn from Malala
I Am Malala is a book that can teach us many lessons about life, education, and activism. Here are some of the main lessons we can learn from Malala:
We can learn to be brave and resilient in the face of adversity. Malala showed us how she overcame fear and pain, and how she never gave up on her dreams.
We can learn to be passionate and persistent in pursuing our goals. Malala showed us how she followed her passion for learning and how she worked hard to achieve her goals.
We can learn to be vocal and influential in raising our voice. Malala showed us how she used her voice to speak up for what is right and how she inspired others to join her cause.
We can learn to be compassionate and generous in helping others. Malala showed us how she cared for others and how she shared what she had with those in need.
We can learn to be hopeful and optimistic in creating a better world. Malala showed us how she envisioned a better world and how she took action to make it happen.
In conclusion, I Am Malala is a book that can change our lives. It can educate us, challenge us, and move us. It can also inspire us to follow Malala's example and become agents of change in our own communities and beyond.
Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions
What is the title and subtitle of the book?
The title of the book is I Am Malala, and the subtitle is The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban.
Who are the authors of the book?
The book is co-written by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb. Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist and Nobel laureate who survived a Taliban shooting. Christina Lamb is a British journalist and foreign correspondent who has reported from Pakistan and Afghanistan.
When and where was the book published?
The book was published in 2013 by Little, Brown and Company in the United States, and by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in the United Kingdom.
What are some of the awards and honors that the book received?
The book received many awards and honors, such as the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Memoir & Autobiography, the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work - Biography / Auto-biography, the Specsavers National Book Award for Non-Fiction Book of the Year, and the Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist.
How can I support Malala's cause?
You can support Malala's cause by donating to or volunteering for her nonprofit organization, Malala Fund, which supports girls' education projects around the world. You can also join her campaigns and movements, such as Stand #withMalala, Books Not Bullets, and Girl Power Trip. You can also spread awareness and advocacy by sharing her story and message with others.
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