I am Malala

by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb

SUMMER READING GUIDE

Key Vocabulary to help you as you are reading:

SWAT / a valley in NW Pakistan close to the Afghanistan border
PASHTUN / ethnic group of people who speak Pashto, traditionally tribally organized; concentrated in Afghanistan and Pakistan
PASHTUNWALI / code of hospitality among Pashtun, including welcoming guests and honor
TALIBAN / fundamentalist Islamic "army" ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001 and spread into Pakistan. Still present in areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan
MADRASAS / religious Islamic schools
SHARIA/SHARIAT / Islamic law
HARAM / sinful; prohibited in Islam
PURDAH / seclusion of females
MUFTI / Islamic scholar or authority on Islamic law
KHANS / highly respected local lords
JIHADIS / Islamic fundamentalists who support armed and violent confrontation
HADITH / an account of things said and done by Muhammad
MULLAH / religious leader
INFIDELS / non-believers (of Islam)
PBUH / abbreviation for "peace be upon Him"/a phrase used by Muslims when referring to Muhammad to show respect
FATA / Federally Administered Tribal Area
IDP / Internally Displaced People
UNHCR / United Nations High Commission on Refugees

A. Identifications:

MAIN CHARACTERS
Malala Yousafzai
Khusal Yousafzai
Atal Yousafzai
Ziauddin Yousafzai
Madam Naryam
Mullah Fazlullah

B. Generalizations:

Provide 3 supporting details for EACH of the following generalizations. Include page # from the text where you found the information.

1. The Taliban treated women subordinately and forced them out of public life.

A.______

B.______

C.______

2. The Taliban in Swat, under the leadership of Fazlullah, was an enemy of art, culture, and music. A.______

B.______

C.______

3. The Taliban used fear and brutality to impose their rule in Swat.

A.______

B.______

C.______

4. According to the book, the military and government of Pakistan is viewed as corrupt and untrustworthy.

A.______

B.______

C.______

5. American involvement in Pakistan is complex and has not been viewed positively by many in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

A.______

B.______

C.______

6. Malala and her father repeatedly stood up for education, especially for girls.

A.______

B.______

C.______

C. Discussion Questions (Please familiarize yourself with the questions and be prepared to share with the class. You do not need to write out responses.):

1. Explain the main message of the poem on page 140 in your own words. Can you apply it to a situation in the world today? Explain.

2. Compare Malala and her friends' attitude toward education with the attitude of American students toward education. What can we learn from them?

3. Were you surprised to learn that Malala and her friends watched Twilight movies and listened to American music? Why do you think she mentions that in the book?

4. Malala's father said that Fazlullah himself was a high school drop out and was misinterpreting Islam's teachings and "spreading ignorance" (p. 114). Why do you think he and other members of the Taliban are against western education and allowing girls to go to school?

5. There are two very influential individuals in the book that both greatly impact others and gain many followers: one is Malala and one is Fazlullah. Using evidence from the book explain the extent to which a single individual can impact history? Explain how these two used similar methods to spread opposite ideologies.

6. Summarize the main message of Malala's story in your own words.

7. Would you recommend this book to others? Why or why not?