I am Malala/Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb/455 pgs.

Malala Yousafzai, living in the Swat Valley in Pakistan, fought for her right, and the right of other children, to an education--especially a girl's right to an education. As a result, she was shot, point blank, on Oct. 9, 2012, while riding a school bus on her way home; she was 15 years old at the time. Miraculously, she survived, and has been able to tell her story. She continues to speak out for her causes. It's a very inspiring book, and gives a better understanding of issues that touch everyone.

Thunder over Kandahar / Sharon E. McKay 260 p.

Fourteen-year old Yasmine only knows Britain when she and her Western educated academic Afghan parents return to Afghanistan. Rather naively they ignore their country's customs. After Yasmine's mother is brutally attacked for travelling out-of-doors without a male family member, they flee to their grandfather's country home. There Tamanna and Yasmine become best friends "sisters of the heart". Thrilled they attend a near by school for boys and girls. The Taliban burn down the school and threaten the teacher and students with death. The village believes this Western educated family to be spies. With Tamanna facing an arranged marriage to an older man and Yasmine and family targets of the Taliban, the girls must flee unaccompanied. They face land minds, suicide bombers, Taliban bands.
This emphasizes how hard life is in Afghanistan, especial for women.

2012 Notable Children's Recordings