July 26, 2018

All Groups

Malala’s passion and activism for women’s rights and education may lead the reader to forget that she is only 16 years old when writing her story.  

Are there moments in or recollections of her school and home life when you feel that the “teenager” in Malala becomes apparent?  

For example, Malala often describes her friendships and rivalries (“I fought nonstop with my brother Khushal, and he would go crying to our mother.  Never in history have Khushal and Malala been friends” 144-5), and she mentions her interest in the Twilight movies and other staples of Western popular culture.  

Do any of these statements surprise you?  If so, which ones, and why?  

How did they influence your perception of Malala and her story? 

Parent Signature: __________________________________

July 25, 2018

Group Three

Malala’s relationship with her parents, particularly her father, is arguably one of the most important factors in Malala’s story.  Malala writes, “It was my grandmother’s faith in my father that gave him the courage to find his own proud path he could travel along.  This is the path that he would later show me” (36).  

1.  What are some of her father’s courageous acts that appear to inspire Malala most, and lead her on her own “path”?  

2.  How does Malala’s courage mirror that of her father’s?  

3.  How does Malala’s relationship with her mother compare with her relationship with her father?  

4.  What does she see as her mother’s virtues? 

Group Two

Malala’s relationship with her parents, particularly her father, is arguably one of the most important factors in Malala’s story.  Malala writes, “It was my grandmother’s faith in my father that gave him the courage to find his own proud path he could travel along.  This is the path that he would later show me” (36).  

1.  What are some of her father’s courageous acts that appear to inspire Malala most, and lead her on her own “path”?  

2.  How does Malala’s courage mirror that of her father’s?  

3.  How does Malala’s relationship with her mother compare with her relationship with her father?  

 Group One

Malala’s relationship with her parents, particularly her father, is arguably one of the most important factors in Malala’s story.  Malala writes, “It was my grandmother’s faith in my father that gave him the courage to find his own proud path he could travel along.  This is the path that he would later show me” (36).  

1.  What are some of her father’s courageous acts that appear to inspire Malala most, and lead her on her own “path”?  

2.  How does Malala’s courage mirror that of her father’s?  

Parent Signature: __________________________________

July 24, 2018

Group Three

1. Have you come across an epilogue before? What is an epilogue? What is it for?

2.  On page 117 Malala writes, “My world has changed but I have not.” Is this true?

Group Two

1. Have you come across an epilogue before? What is an epilogue? What is it for?

2.  On page 117 Malala writes, “My world has changed but I have not.” Is this true?

Group One

1. Have you come across an epilogue before? What is an epilogue? What is it for?

2.  On page 117 Malala writes, “My world has changed but I have not.” Is this true?

Parent Signature: __________________________________

July 23, 2018

Group Three

Part Five: A Second Life

1. Who is Rehanna and what did she do to help Malala? What did Yma do?

2.  Why was it so hard for Malala’s parents to come and see her in Birmingham? What did they have to do to get there?

3.  Imagine you are Malala.  You received a lot of messages and gifts when you were in hospital. Which is most important to you and why?

4.  On page 108, Malala notes ‘I don’t feel like it’s a story about me at all.’  What do you think she means by this?

Group Two

1. Who is Rehanna and what did she do to help Malala? What did Yma do?

2.  Why was it so hard for Malala’s parents to come and see her in Birmingham? What did they have to do to get there?

3.  Imagine you are Malala.  You received a lot of messages and gifts when you were in hospital. Which is most important to you and why?

Group One

1. Who is Rehanna and what did she do to help Malala? What did Yma do?

2. Imagine you are Malala.  You received a lot of messages and gifts when you were in hospital. Which is most important to you and why?

Parent Signature: __________________________________

July 19. 2018

Group Three


Part Four: Between Life and Death

1.  As clearly as possible, explain what happened to Malala and what the doctors did to save her.

2.  When the Taliban issued a statement saying they were responsible (see page 80), they accuse Malala of “preaching anti-religious messages.” Why did they say this? 

3.  Was Malala preaching anti-religious messages? How could you describe Malala’s faith and views about religion?

4.  Why was Malala taken to Birmingham?

Group Two


1.  As clearly as possible, explain what happened to Malala and what the doctors did to save her.

2.  When the Taliban issued a statement saying they were responsible (see page 80), they accuse Malala of “preaching anti-religious messages.” Why did they say this? 

3.  Was Malala preaching anti-religious messages? How could you describe Malala’s faith and views about religion?


Group One


1.  As clearly as possible, explain what happened to Malala and what the doctors did to save her.

2.  When the Taliban issued a statement saying they were responsible (see page 80), they accuse Malala of “preaching anti-religious messages.” Why did they say this? 

Parent Signature: __________________________________

July 18, 2018

Group Three


1.  In your culture, which age marks the beginning of adulthood?

2.  Do you remember what you did to mark this birthday?

3.  Answer this question: ‘Who is Malala?’

Group Two


1.  In your culture, which age marks the beginning of adulthood?

2.  Do you remember what you did to mark this birthday?

3.  Answer this question: ‘Who is Malala?’

Group One


1.  In your culture, which age marks the beginning of adulthood?

2.  Do you remember what you did to mark this birthday?

3.  Answer this question: ‘Who is Malala?’

Parent Signature: __________________________________

July 17, 2018

Group Three


1.  As she turns 12, Malala is living at her aunt’s place in Haripur. Write her a letter wishing her Happy Birthday.

2.  As Malala and her family arrive home at the beginning of chapter 10, what are they afraid of? Describe what they find.

3.  Why was Malala’s father nervous about the honour she receives on page 61? How would you feel, in his place?

4.  In 2012 Malala turned 15, and on page 66 we learn that in Islam the age 15 is important because it marks the beginning of adulthood. 



Group Two


1.  As she turns 12, Malala is living at her aunt’s place in Haripur. Write her a letter wishing her Happy Birthday.

2.  As Malala and her family arrive home at the beginning of chapter 10, what are they afraid of? Describe what they find.

3.  Why was Malala’s father nervous about the honour she receives on page 61? How would you feel, in his place?


Group One


1.  As she turns 12, Malala is living at her aunt’s place in Haripur. Write her a letter wishing her Happy Birthday.

2.  As Malala and her family arrive home at the beginning of chapter 10, what are they afraid of? Describe what they find.


Parent Signature: __________________________________

July 16, 2018

Group Three


1.  In chapter 7, what pseudonym is Malala given for her blog?  What does it mean and where does it come from?
2.  What is Malala afraid of, and what is she fighting for?
3.  On page 42 Malala writes “I began to see that the pen and the words that come from it can be much more powerful than machine guns, tanks or helicopters.” Do you agree? Why or why not?
3.  Can you think of any times in your life when words have been more powerful than weapons?


Group Two


1.  In chapter 7, what pseudonym is Malala given for her blog?  What does it mean and where does it come from?
2.  What is Malala afraid of, and what is she fighting for?
3.  On page 42 Malala writes “I began to see that the pen and the words that come from it can be much more powerful than machine guns, tanks or helicopters.” Do you agree? Why or why not?

Group One


1.  What is Malala afraid of, and what is she fighting for?
2.  On page 42 Malala writes “I began to see that the pen and the words that come from it can be much more powerful than machine guns, tanks or helicopters.” Do you agree? Why or why not?


Parent Signature: _________________________________

July 12, 2018

Group Three

Part Two: The Valley of Death

1. What does Malala tell us about the Taliban in chapters 5 and 6? What sorts of things were the Taliban doing and why?
2. Why do you think lots of women gave gold to Fazlullah on page 32?
3. Why did people congratulate Malala’s father on page 34?

Bonus:
Who is Benazir Bhutto and why was she killed? Use a library, the internet and/or talk to others to find out more about Benazir Bhutto.  Take notes. Share what you have found with others.

Group Two

Part Two: The Valley of Death

1. What does Malala tell us about the Taliban in chapters 5 and 6? What sorts of things were the Taliban doing and why?
2. Why do you think lots of women gave gold to Fazlullah on page 32?
3. Why did people congratulate Malala’s father on page 34?

Group One

Part Two: The Valley of Death

1. What does Malala tell us about the Taliban in chapters 5 and 6? What sorts of things were the Taliban doing and why?
2. Why do you think lots of women gave gold to Fazlullah on page 32?

Parent Signature: _________________________________

July 11, 2018

Group Three

1.  Read chapter 4 closely. Note down one important event of 2002, one of 2004 and one of 2005. If you can, compare your notes with others.
2. Talk about how these events are linked.
3. Do you remember hearing or reading about these events as they happened? What do you remember?
4. What is going to happen next?

Group Two

1.  Read chapter 4 closely. Note down one important event of 2002, one of 2004 and one of 2005. If you can, compare your notes with others.
2. Talk about how these events are linked.
3. Do you remember hearing or reading about these events as they happened? What do you remember?

Group One

1.  Read chapter 4 closely. Note down one important event of 2002, one of 2004 and one of 2005. If you can, compare your notes with others.
2. Talk about how these events are linked.

Parent Signature: _______________________________

July 10, 2018

Group Three

Part One: Before the Taliban

1. On page 21, Hidayatullah says ‘Malala was a lucky girl.’  Why?
2. At the end of chapter 3, something happens far away that will “change our world.” What happened and how do you think it will affect Malala and her family?
3. Describe the visit to the school on pages 23 and 24. Who visited the school and what did they want? What do you think of Malala’s father’s solution?

Group Two

1. On page 21, Hidayatullah says ‘Malala was a lucky girl.’  Why?
2. At the end of chapter 3, something happens far away that will “change our world.” What happened and how do you think it will affect Malala and her family?
3. Describe the visit to the school on pages 23 and 24. Who visited the school and what did they want? 

Group One

1. On page 21, Hidayatullah says ‘Malala was a lucky girl.’  Why?
2. At the end of chapter 3, something happens far away that will “change our world.” What happened and how do you think it will affect Malala and her family?

Parent Signature: __________________________

July 9, 2018

Group Three

1. If you were a 16-year-old girl in Pakistan, could you have imagined doing what Malala did? Why or Why not? What do you admire about Malala?

2. Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations said “For everyone, everywhere, literacy is, along with education in general, a basic human right... Literacy is, finally, the road to human progress and the means through which every man, woman and child can realize his or her full potential.” 

 

Do you believe literacy is a basic human right and how might a quote like this scare the Taliban?

3. How does Malala’s view of the importance of education relate to human rights?

Group Two

1. If you were a 16-year-old girl in Pakistan, could you have imagined doing what Malala did? Why or Why not? What do you admire about Malala?

2. Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations said “For everyone, everywhere, literacy is, along with education in general, a basic human right... Literacy is, finally, the road to human progress and the means through which every man, woman and child can realize his or her full potential.” 

 

Do you believe literacy is a basic human right and how might a quote like this scare the Taliban?

Group One

1. If you were a 16-year-old girl in Pakistan, could you have imagined doing what Malala did? Why or Why not? What do you admire about Malala?

Parent Signature: ________________________________