Amal Unbound

"This heroic story about a girl's struggle to become educated against overwhelming odds will open readers' eyes and herats. A gorgeous and compelling read." - Laurie Halse Anderson

Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed

I'm excited to share my latest read aloud that I enjoyed with my students. This book was so inspiring. The protagonist is a young adolescent girl who lives in a fairly rural village in Pakistan. She relates her tale from first person point of view in a way that envelops the reader in a culture very unlike what most of us experience. Amal is driven to obtain an education and she has developed a warm bond with the local teacher. Her dreams are put on hold, however, when her mother needs considerable help at home. Being the eldest, she is tied to domestic duties and begins to wonder if an education will slip away. On a market run, she encounters the figure of oppression in this story, Jawad Sahib, a ruthless wealthy landowner who terrorizes the locals. Her run-in with this antagonist, shatters the world she's always known and causes her to question the very fabric of her culture. Amal must find unbelievable courage and tap into the power of unity to stand up to forces that at first, seem beyond her control.

My Rating:

This story reminded me in so many ways of another brave girl who fought insurmountable odds to get an education!

Malala's Story