Powerful read. Great to find out more. Positive role model for younger audiences

I KNEW that I would find this to be a good if tough read, but never did I imagine that the words would literally reduce me to tears on more than one occasion. Seriously. This is one of those books that I'm instantly putting on my 'books that everyone should read' list because if they did, they would really learn a thing or two! For those who don't know who Malala Yousafzai is, I really recommend looking into her inspiring story about opposing the Taliban regime, fighting for girl's education and how Pakistan might be war-torn, but it is home and beautiful to her.

I liked how this book was split up. This is the Young Readers edition and I can see how the attack on Malala (and the aftermath in hospital) has probably been translated to be far less gruesome, as well as a simplification of the political climate in Pakistan. But I really thought that Patricia McCormick did a really good job of making the facts easy to understand, and it's still an emotional read. I learnt A LOT while reading this as I don't think that the plight of the Middle East is covered well in Western Society and I certainly had no real clue about exactly how the Taliban came about in the first place.

Malala's story, as I said, is really touching. I liked that she remained focused throughout on her desperate bid to raise awareness on girl's educational needs and the love for her country's natural surroundings and sense of community when compared to that of England (being a white British girl even I can relate to the sense of isolation in our big cities) is nice because it really puts into perspective that money, technology and a sense of entitlement is NOT everything. It is love that brings happiness, as soppy as it sounds. What's more, the horrors imposed by the Taliban could EASILY happen in any other country and I really feel that privileged people (including myself) would do well to remember this while reading. Passionate and inspiring, this is my favourite read of the month for sure!