[Nonfiction Wednesday] Malala’s Relentless Fight for Girls’ Education

Fats here.

We are delighted to join the Nonfiction Picture Book meme 2017 hosted by Alyson Beecher @ Kid Lit Frenzy. We would also be linking our nonfiction choices with our reading themes throughout the year.

Malala: Activist for Girls’ Education

Written by Raphaële Frier
Illustrated by Aurélia Fronty
Published by Charlesbridge (2017, US edition)
ISBN-10: 1580897851
ISBN-13: 978-1580897853

“Malala is born at dawn in 1997. She is the first child of Ziauddin Yousafzai and Tor Pekai. They live in the large city of Mingora, which spreads out across the depths of the Swat Valley in Pakistan…” — p. 6

Last year, we shared three picturebook biographies featuring Malala Yousafzai, namely Malala: A Brave Girl from Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai: A Warrior with Words, and For the Right to Learn: Malala Yousafzai’s Story. Today I’m sharing non-fiction picturebook written about our brave girl from Pakistan. Malala: Activist for Girls’ Education is the collaborative work of French author Raphaële Frier and artist Aurélia Fronty. The book was first published in France in 2015. Two years later, the book was published in the United States in February 2017.

“Poverty, ignorance, injustice, racism, and the deprivation of basic rights are the main problems faced by both men and women.” — p. 31

Like the other Malala picturebooks, Malala: Activist for Girls’ Education presents key events in Malala’s life. In addition to these events, Frier added other details about the young activist. The book mentioned Malala’s younger brother, Khushal, and the times they spent when they were growing up. The book also talked about Malala’s love for her grandfather’s village and how she liked to climb up on the roof of their house in Mingora, among other things.

“Malala’s father is not sorry that his child is a girl, as some new fathers in their country might be… Ziauddin asks friends and family to throw dried fruits, candies, and coins into her cradle, as they would for a boy.” — p. 6

Readers would gain a lot in reading about Malala’s life alone. In addition, Malala: Activist for Girls’ Education shares more information about Malala, her people, and her country. It gave described the situation of girls in Pakistan and education worldwide. It also discussed important humanitarian figures who served as inspiration for Malala. At the end of the book, readers can find additional resources about Malala Yousafzai.

Malala: Activist for Girls’ Education is a gem to have. I hope you find a copy.