Everyone has heard the story of Malala by now. At the age of 15, she survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban. She was shot point blank in the head while sitting in her school bus. This was in an attempt to silence a very vocal voice of protest against the Taliban and their policies that kept women and young girls from getting an education.But did you know that Malala's voice was not the only one in the family that was raised in protest against the Taliban? Malala's father was also on the Taliban's hit list. Not only did he run a school for girls, he was a very vocal critic of the Taliban and their policies that impoverished the people and encouraged a culture of ignorance and hatred.
Malala shares the story of her family - from her father's struggle to gain an education and share that opportunity with others through the rise of the Taliban, and the effect the Taliban had on the politics of what had previously been a very peaceful community.
I was enchanted by Malala's tale. She doesn't dwell on her near death experience. Instead, she spends most of her time explaining the politics of Pakistan, sharing her love of her homeland, and describing the ins and outs of U.S. Politics on the rise of alternative political parties.
This is a fascinating, well written story that should be required reading for us all. The courage of one young girl - and her family - to stand up for what is right is inspiring.
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