I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World (Young Readers Edition)

At a media event in 2012, a Pakistani journalist emotionally draws Malala’s father away for a private conversation. Malala’s father is shaken by what she shows him on the computer: a declaration from the Taliban that Malala “should be killed” (117). Malala takes the news calmly. She has always felt this would happen someday, and she is not afraid. She is no longer the young girl walking fearfully to school. Malala’s father is more affected by the threat than she is. Malala realizes that while he does not mind being a Taliban target himself, he is afraid for her life. He suggests they cut back on their advocacy work. Malala reassures and encourages her father. She calmly reasons that everyone will die someday, and their mission is of the utmost importance. Her father agrees but urges that they use caution in deciding who they speak with.

Malala ponders what she would do if a Talib tried to murder her and initially thinks she would strike him with her shoe. She then realizes that using violence would make her no different from the Taliban. Instead, she will respond with nonviolence, speaking to the would-be assassin from her heart about her desire for education for all girls, including members of his family.