Ch.1
Where did Malala grow up?
The Swat Valley in Pakistan.
Why did some families not send girls to school?
Many families believe girls only need to become wives and mothers, so they don’t see education as necessary for girls.
What TV character inspired Malala’s “magic pencil” idea?
A boy on a TV show who had a magic pencil that could solve problems.
What disaster hit parts of Pakistan?
A terrible earthquake.
What did some religious leaders pressure Malala’s father to do?
They pressured him to close his school or separate boys and girls more strictly.
What does Malala say about being Pashtun?
She is proud to be Pashtun and values her culture and traditions.
What role did Malala’s father play in keeping the school open?
He worked hard to keep the school running despite money problems and believed in equal education for boys and girls.
At first, what small things did Malala imagine fixing with the pencil?
She thought of fixing simple personal problems or small everyday issues.
Who is Fazlullah and what name did people give him?
Fazlullah was a religious leader who became known as the “Radio Mullah.”
How did Malala’s father respond to pressure about his school?
He defended the school and continued to support education for girls despite threats.
Who encouraged Malala to speak her mind and why is he important?
Her father, Ziauddin, encouraged her; he believed strongly in education and equality and owned a school.
How did Malala feel about learning and competition at school?
She enjoyed school, competed for top grades, and liked learning new things.
Later, what bigger problems did Malala wish she could solve with the pencil?
She wished she could help poor people, stop wars, and bring peace to her country.
What claim did the Radio Mullah make about the earthquake?
He said the earthquake was a punishment from God for sinful behavior.
Why was Malala’s father at risk?
Because he publicly supported girls’ education and criticized the strict new teachings, making him a target.
Explain how education changed Malala’s view of possibilities.
Education showed her it was a powerful tool that could change lives and allowed her to dream big and speak out for herself and others.
Describe one way Malala began to notice unfair treatment of girls.
She saw that many girls were not given the same opportunities to attend school and began realizing how fortunate she was compared to them.
How did seeing children begging influence Malala’s thinking about education?
It made her realize that lack of education leads to poverty; she saw education as a key to helping children have better lives.
Explain how fear affected the Swat community after the broadcasts.
Fear made many people listen to Fazlullah, follow strict rules, and look for easy answers during uncertainty, changing social behavior quickly.
Explain how Malala’s view of bravery developed in this chapter.
She admired her father’s courage in standing up for education even when it was dangerous, and began to understand the cost of speaking out.