Amal Unbound was the middle-grade global read aloud for the fall of 2018 and has been read in many classrooms around the world. https://theglobalreadaloud.com/ What a great choice! This is a must-read for students, teachers, and parents. I was worried that it would be for mature readers or extremely sad, however, it is an empowering story of a modern Pakistani girl who seeks justice after being forced to quit school and become an indentured servant. It would be a great choice for 4th grade and up. I give it a 4 out of 4 rating!
Amal is a teen who dreams of becoming a teacher but has a run-in with their landlord who then requires her to come to his house as a servant as a punishment. She learns that despite her father trying to pay her way home, her room and board bills make this impossible. She is stuck like many of the people who have been caught in a similar situation. Amal works hard at her job and makes friends with the other servants as well as the landlord's mother who she serves. Amal risks much and comes up with a plan to fight for justice for herself and others.
This story was inspired by the true story of Malala Yousafzai. Watch the following video where Amal Unbound is compared with the Young Readers version of I am Malala.
- Age Range: 10 and up
- Grade Level: 5 - 6
- Reading Level: 4.2 (6 points)
- Hardcover: 240 pages
- Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books (May 8, 2018)
ALSC Notable Children's Books - 2019
CCBC Choices 2019 Choice: Fiction for Children
ILA Teachers' Choices - 2019
ALA-CBC Building a Home Library Booklist - 2018
CSMCL Best Books - 2018
Publishers Weekly Best Books - 2018
Kirkus Best Books, Middle-Grade - 2018
NYPL Best Books for Kids - 2018
NPR’s Book Concierge - 2018
School Library Journal Best Books - 2018
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