You Are a Star, Malala Yousafzai

November 1, 2023
An inspirational look at a young girl's path to activism. The third book in the You Are a Star series features Malala Yousafzai, the well-known activist for girls' education. Using a first-person narrative, the book highlights aspects of her life in her hometown of Mingora, in the Swat Valley region of Pakistan. Malala's fondness for books and learning and the spirit of inquiry encouraged by her parents all grow into a passionate belief for the right to education, equality, and freedom for all. When the Taliban take over her town with their strict diktats about girls not going to school, Malala opposes their ideas through her writings and media interviews. While her budding activism grew, so did the threats from the Taliban, until one day she and her friends were violently attacked. As the world rallied around the brave young girl, Malala strengthened her resolve to fight for girls' education "everywhere children [need] help." Using brightly illustrated comic-style panels that depict her home life and relationships with her family and friends, the book is a straightforward account of Malala's budding activism and commendable achievements. Though none of the information feels new in the crowded landscape of books on Malala, it does showcase her determination and steadfastness in the face of immense odds. A rousing biography that examines its subject's motivations to serve others. (author's note, notes about Malala, timeline, glossary, resources) (Picture-book biography. 5-8)

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