An uplifting novel for 11-13 year olds about oppression, privilege, girls and womens' status, education and diversity, and also a heartwarming story about a girl with a mission
Aisha Saeed is a Pakistani-American writer, teacher and attorney. She has been featured on MTV, the Huffington Post, NBC and the BBC, and, as one of the founding members of the much talked about 'We Need Diverse Books' campaign, she is helping change the conversation about diverse books. Aisha lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and sons.
‘Raw, honest, funny, charming and hopeful. A reminder of how people
with privilege should never underestimate the courage and strength
of young people fighting for their rights. Girls and boys
everywhere can learn so much from a young girl like Amal.’
*Randa Abdel-Fattah*
‘A wonderfully uplifting tale of courage and the fight for justice.
Saeed has created a compelling story that shines a light on a part
of our world that has been ignored for far too long.’
*Zana Fraillon*
‘A beautiful and moving story about indentured servitude, economic
class, family, resistance and ultimately—freedom. Amal’s story and
the many people we meet in it are so thoughtfully and deeply
rendered, I remain haunted by their struggles and changed by their
journeys.’
*Jacqueline Woodson*
‘This heroic story about a girl’s struggle to become educated
against overwhelming odds will open readers’ eyes and hearts. A
gorgeous and compelling read.’
*Laurie Halse Anderson*
‘Saeed infuses this true-to-life story of unjust power dynamics in
a poor Pakistani village with a palpable sense of dread regarding
the fate of the inquisitive, industrious, poetry-loving titular
character…Amal’s experience navigating an unfamiliar social
hierarchy in the landlord’s lavish estate exposes her to pervasive
gender inequities and unfair labour practices…Saeed’s eloquent,
suspenseful, eye-opening tale offers a window into the contemporary
practice of indentured servitude and makes a compelling case for
the power of girls’ education to transform systemic injustice.’
*Publishers Weekly, starred review*
‘A Pakistani girl’s dreams of an education dissolve when she is
forced into indentured servitude…Amal narrates, her passion for
learning, love for her family, and despair at her circumstance
evoked with sympathy and clarity, as is the setting. Inspired by
Malala Yousafzai and countless unknown girls like her, Saeed’s
timely and stirring middle-grade debut is a celebration of
resistance and justice.’
*Kirkus Reviews, starred review*
‘Readers will find that a little perseverance and a heart filled
with hope can eventually surmount a harsh reality. Saeed fills her
prose with lush descriptions of Pakistani life, while still
managing to connect with readers whose surroundings and experience
will be starkly different. Hand to any reader who struggles with
definitive gender roles, norms, and expectations held in place by
societal structures.’
*Booklist*
‘Saeed’s eloquent, suspenseful, eye-opening tale offers a window
into the contemporary practice of indentured servitude and makes a
compelling case for the power of girls’ education to transform
systemic injustice.’
*Publishers Weekly, starred review*
‘A beautifully written and extraordinary narrative of one young
girl and her determination to invoke change. Essential
reading.’
*Diva Booknerd*
‘Full of character and interest and written with a lovely balanced
clarity, it celebrates the power of the gutsy individual.’
*Magpies Magazine*
‘Inspired by Malala Yousafzai, who advocates for women’s rights in
Pakistan, this is a compelling tale of one girl’s determination to
make the world a fairer place.’
*Booktrust UK*
‘Saeed’s rich, complex middle grade debut takes a nuanced look at
the socioeconomics of modern Pakistan while sharing an empowering
message about family, literacy, and culture.’
*School Library Journal, Best Books of 2018*
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