I Am Malala

The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban

By: Malala Yousafzai, Christina Lamb - contributor

Narrated by: Archie Panjabi

Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Biography/Memoir, 2014

When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education.

On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive.

Instead, Malala's miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen, she has become a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize.

I am Malala is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls' education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons.

I am Malala will make you believe in the power of one person's voice to inspire change in the world.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2013 Malala Yousafzai (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Narrator Archie Panjabi is an excellent choice to deliver this memoir of the Pakistani girl who stood up to the Taliban. Her voice is youthful, lilting, and buoyant, invoking the key qualities of the now well-known young woman who, at the age of 15, was shot three times in the face by the Taliban because she actively advocated education for girls. Panjabi narrates with vigor; rapid sentences and warm tones evoke Malala's persona. The listener has the feeling of being told this story by Malala herself rather than by an actor, which is the best type of audiobook. Those who want to hear more about Afghanistan, Pakistan's Swat Valley, or the family behind this courageous young person will not be disappointed." (AudioFile Magazine)

AMAZING

everyone should read!! Beautifully written and I loved the narrator's voice! I may have cried a few times...

Wonderful

I love this book and the genuine way in which the author shared her story
I recommend this to everyone.

Amazing view into a different way of life

Where does I Am Malala rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This audiobook ranks in the top ten of the audiobooks I have listened to in the last 10 years.

What other book might you compare I Am Malala to and why?

I can't compare this to another book, but I found it an interesting book to have read just after listening to Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns. Both stories are from the same part of the world and to hear of the Pakistani and Afghanistan history with an over lap in the time line helped me understand a bit about the emotional and political turmoil of the the countries. I think that "I am Malala" should be required reading for those people that think that "all Muslims are the same and they are all terrorists" - because that is not true now and it was not true in the past.

What about Archie Panjabi’s performance did you like?

The performance was great, it was so helpful to have heard the names of people and places as they should be spoken. So hear the earnestness and passion of Mala brought to life by Archie's performance added so much to my enjoyment

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, one sitting would have been too hard. The story and history was so complex that I wanted time to consider.

Eye opener for this American girl

Would you consider the audio edition of I Am Malala to be better than the print version?

I can't answer this question, as I did not read the print version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

since this is non-fiction, there aren't "characters"

What about Archie Panjabi’s performance did you like?

She has a very pleasing voice and put enough emotion into the performance that you were engaged for the entire story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would say not. It was interesting, but not "exciting" like you'd get from fiction. That's a good thing.

Very Good

This is a very good book, it was hard to get get into at first but soon it became very interesting. I never knew anything about Malala, so this book made me realize how much different her country is compared to mine. She is a miracle and I hope she can visit her valley again because it's an awful thing to hear that a person cannot visit their own home. The audible was really cool to listen to since the lady spoke in the Urdu language sometimes which was cool! Thank you Malala for standing up for girls and for your story.

Inspiring

What an inspiring book, to hear her side of the events, is an eye opener! My two boys who listened to it with me, want help her cause and are thinking of ideas to help others learn!

Powerful Message for the world to read.

Beautifully written and narrated message of strength, courage, and enlightened wisdom from a young woman who is the voice of all women who've been oppressed by political corruption & militant dominance. A moving story to take action for women's right to education all over the world, especially in the Middle East.

Intense

I very much enjoyed this book. I loved learning the history of Malala's home, and the history of Pakistan. I was very saddened to hear of Talibans take over. I hope that Malala gets her wish of peace and education for all children.

This book touch ed my heart!

What did you love best about I Am Malala?

We all need to be aware of the pain and fear that people throughout the world are experiencing. I Am Malala is wonderfully written. At the age of 16, Malala has given us a fast paсed story that is sincere and honest. We learn about the lives of her Pakistani family who are not rich and famous - that is until the eldest daughter (Malala) gets shot in the face by the Taliban. Such inhumane cruelty is hard for us Americans too imagine. We see it on the news and read about it but do not have it on our doorstep threatening our beliefs and daily behavior. I am grateful for the insight I received of the Pakistani people's understanding of 9/11 and how the people are in fear of the Taliban as we are. This book should be on the required reading list for all students. If we educated all young people in this world, ( as Malala wants) we would see a difference in this world and groups like the Taliban would be squashed!

What was one of the most memorable moments of I Am Malala?

Life style, family relationships and faith in her God... Insightful!

What does Archie Panjabi bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Expression!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The Families desire to be of service to all in their community. Malala's drive to want education for all young people - not just herself.

Any additional comments?

Very interesting and thought provoking!

Enlightening

The narrator was very good. Thank goodness for those who are brave enough to speak out. I'm sorry that so much evil is done in the name of religion and keeping people ignorant and without human rights. It really makes one rather be a humanist than to adhere to any kind of superstitious religion.