About Malala
What country does Malala live in during this memoir?
What is Pakistan?
What is the genre of A Schoolgirl’s Diary?
What is the genre of A Schoolgirl’s Diary?
What is Malala’s main conflict?
She wants to go to school even though it’s forbidden.
What does edict mean?
An official order or command.
What is one central idea of A Schoolgirl’s Diary?
Education is worth fighting for—even in danger.
Answers may vary
What event changes Malala’s life forever?
Answers will vary in how it is stated.
What is the Taliban’s order that girls could no longer attend school?
From what point of view is this story told?
First person (Malala tells her own story).
What internal conflict does Malala face while writing her diary?
She is afraid of being discovered but believes it’s worth the risk.
What does the Greek prefix pseudo- mean?
False.
What sentence best supports that central idea?
At home in the evenings I wondered what I would do with my life if I couldn’t go to school.
Why does Malala decide to write a diary for the BBC?
To tell the world what life was like under Taliban rule.
What does the prologue help the reader understand?
It shows what Malala’s normal life was like before the attack.
What external conflict does Malala’s family face?
Deciding whether to let her write for the BBC despite the danger.
What does defy mean?
To resist or refuse to obey.
What can readers infer about Malala’s father from his actions?
He believes deeply in education and supports her bravery.
What do Malala’s parents encourage her to do?
Be brave and speak out against injustice.
Why does the author include maps and footnotes in the text?
To help readers understand cultural and geographic context.
What does Malala’s pink shalwar kamiz symbolize?
Her courage and refusal to hide her identity as a girl seeking education.
What does anonymous mean?
Unknown or unnamed.
What does the statement “I am Malala” symbolize?
Her courage, identity, and willingness to stand up for girls everywhere.
What is the effect of Malala’s father accidentally revealing her identity?
It ends her anonymity as “Gul Makai” but makes her story known worldwide.
How does the story’s structure show cause and effect?
Malala’s diary causes attention from the world; her identity being revealed leads to change.
What does this memoir show about standing up for what’s right?
That speaking up can inspire global awareness and change.
Why does Malala write under a pseudonym?
To stay safe while telling her story.
How does the author use memoir characteristics to convey a central idea?
By combining facts, thoughts, and emotions to show how her personal experience reflects a larger fight for girls’ rights.