Malala Yousafzai

Malala was born in 1997. At the time, the Swat Valley was a popular tourist spot, known for its thick forests and rushing rivers. But life there changed after the Taliban came to power. 

The group took away basic freedoms, including listening to music and watching TV. The Taliban threatened or punished anyone who disobeyed them. They destroyed hundreds of schools and attacked teachers and students. 

Despite the risks, Malala’s father didn’t close the school he had founded. Many parents stopped sending their kids to the school. But Malala and some of her classmates continued to attend in secret. 

In 2009, Malala started writing a blog called Diary of a Pakistani Schoolgirl. She described the dangers she and other girls faced. The blog became popular. Malala was also interviewed on TV about the power of school. 

“Girls’ education is really important,” she told Scholastic News years later. “That’s why the terrorists are afraid of it. They do not want women to be empowered.”

Malala was born in 1997. At the time, the Swat Valley was a popular tourist spot. It was known for its thick forests and rushing rivers. But life there changed after the Taliban came to power. 

The group took away basic freedoms. This included listening to music and watching TV. The Taliban threatened or punished anyone who disobeyed them. They destroyed hundreds of schools. And they attacked teachers and students. 

Malala’s father had founded a school. Despite the risks, he didn’t close it. Many parents stopped sending their kids to the school. But Malala and some of her classmates continued to attend in secret. 

In 2009, Malala started writing a blog. It was called Diary of a Pakistani Schoolgirl. She described the dangers she and other girls faced. The blog became popular. Malala was also interviewed on TV about the power of school. 

“Girls’ education is really important,” she told Scholastic News years later. “That’s why the terrorists are afraid of it. They do not want women to be empowered.”

Malala’s courage made her an inspiration—and a target. Her family received threats demanding that she keep quiet. But she wouldn’t back down. On October 9, 2012, the Taliban tried to silence Malala for good. While riding a bus home from school, she was shot by a Taliban gunman. 

Malala was flown to England. She spent 11 weeks in the hospital. She eventually made a full recovery.

Malala’s courage made her an inspiration—and a target. Her family received threats. The Taliban demanded that she keep quiet. But she wouldn’t back down. On October 9, 2012, they tried to silence Malala for good. While riding a bus home from school, she was shot by a Taliban gunman. 

Malala was flown to England. She spent 11 weeks in the hospital. She eventually made a full recovery.

Since then, Malala has traveled the globe to speak out in support of education for all. In 2013, she and her father founded the Malala Fund. It helps kids around the world go to school. Malala went on to graduate from high school and college.

Malala, now 25, still lives in England. She continues to spread her message.  

“One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world,” she said in a 2013 speech at the United Nations. “Education is the only solution.”

Since then, Malala has traveled the globe. She speaks out in support of education for all. In 2013, she and her father founded the Malala Fund. It helps kids around the world go to school. Malala went on to graduate from high school and college.

Malala, now 25, still lives in England. She continues to spread her message.  

“One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world,” she said in a 2013 speech at the United Nations. “Education is the only solution.”

1. Why did going to school become dangerous for Malala? Cite text evidence to support your answer.
2. What events led to Malala’s becoming a target of the Taliban?
3. How does Malala continue the work she began when she was younger?

1. Why did going to school become dangerous for Malala? Cite text evidence to support your answer.
2. What events led to Malala’s becoming a target of the Taliban?
3. How does Malala continue the work she began when she was younger?