The Breadwinner

The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis, 152 pages

“Young Parvana lives with her family in one room of a bombed-out apartment building in Kabul, Afghanistan. Because Parvana's father has a foreign education, he is arrested by the Taliban. Women cannot appear in public unless covered head to toe, go to school, or work outside the home, so the family becomes increasingly desperate until Parvana conceives a plan.” A good story about a terrible time in Afghanistan.  This is a good choice for kids who like realistic fiction about other countries.

Malala Yousafzai And The Girls Of Pakistan

Malala Yousafzai And The Girls Of Pakistan by David Aretha, 64 pages

This is a nonfiction book for young readers about the efforts of Malala Yousafzai to bring education to girls in Pakistan and all over the world.  She has won a Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts, the youngest person ever to do so at seventeen.  This is very simply told but covers all of the basics: her early life and desire to go to school, speaking out for girls’ rights to education, being shot by the Taliban and her subsequent recovery, and her continuing efforts since.  Although simply told, it will help younger readers understand something about the dangers people face and their struggles and give them a basic knowledge of Malala’s life and goals.  A simple solid effort that will benefit and be of interest to younger readers.