Characterization
This person is Malala’s biggest role model and encourages her to pursue education and speak her mind.
Who is Ziauddin, Malala’s father?
This is the name of the school started by Malala's father.
What is the Khushal School?
This is something Malala believes every child, including every girl, deserves access to.
What is education?
This is the country where Malala grows up.
What is Pakistan?
Malala's story is told as a memoir, meaning the events are presented from this person's perspective.
Who is Malala?
This character trait is shown when Malala continues attending school even when doing so becomes dangerous.
What is courage/bravery?
This group gradually gains power in the Swat Valley and begins imposing strict rules on the people who live there.
Who are the Taliban?
This theme is shown when Malala continues to value school even when others tell her she should stop attending.
What is standing up for what you believe in?
This beautiful region, surrounded by mountains, is Malala's home.
What is the Swat Valley?
These are the names of Malala's two younger brothers.
Who are Khushal and Atal?
Malala's reaction after stealing Safina's toy shows that she possesses this trait because she feels guilty about hurting her friend.
What is remorseful/compassionate?
This is the central conflict that develops as Malala wants to attend school while the Taliban attempt to prevent girls from doing so.
What is person vs. society?
OR The Tailban's raising control / Fazullah's reign
Malala's relationship with her father supports this theme about the importance of encouraging young people to use their voices.
What is the power of support/encouragement?
As the Taliban gain influence, this changes from a normal part of daily life into something that can put Malala and other girls at risk.
What is going to school?
This traditional code of values influences the culture and expectations surrounding Malala's family.
What is Pashtunwali?
Ziauddin's decision to treat Malala as an equal rather than limiting her because she is a girl reveals this character trait.
What is open-minded?
This event marks a major turning point because the peaceful life Malala knew begins to change dramatically.
What is the Taliban's growing control of the Swat Valley?
Malala's story demonstrates that this can begin with one person speaking up and can inspire others to question unfair rules and demand change.
What is creating change?
The difference between Malala's early memories of the Swat Valley and the valley later in the book shows how a setting can do this to a story.
What is change the mood or atmosphere?
This Pashtun word refers to the idea of revenge.
What is badal?
This quality becomes increasingly clear as Malala begins speaking publicly about girls' education despite the danger involved.
What is determination/bravery?
This conflict becomes more serious as Malala's public advocacy for education puts her increasingly at risk.
What is Malala vs. the Taliban?
Malala's relationship with her father demonstrates this theme about how one person's beliefs and actions can influence the way another person sees the world.
What is the influence of family?
If Malala had grown up in a place where girls had always been free to attend school without fear, this major part of her story would likely have been very different.
What is the influence of setting on plot?
This is the name of the radio station used by a Taliban leader to spread his messages throughout the Swat Valley.
What is Radio Mullah?