Our Responses to Adversity
by Sophie Mixa
After reading this novel, I realized that I haven’t faced much adversity in my life compared to Malala and others. It is hard to predict how I will respond to adversity when I am faced with it. I would hope to be as courageous as Malala, but I can’t even imagine being as brave as her. My personal call to action after reading this book is to make sure that I do not take opportunities, education, and my freedom for granted.
I notice myself living my life a bit differently after reading this book. I realized that I was taking my education for granted when others have to fight for their education. Each morning when my alarm rings, I dread getting out of bed and getting ready for school. Every night when I am doing hours of homework, I wish I could miss school the next day. This book made me see what Malala and others have to do in order to receive an education. It made me very grateful that I live in a country where education is important and available for all children regardless of their race, gender, or religion. I am also lucky that I live in a country that I feel safe leaving my home to go to school each day. I also am glad that our government is not corrupt and there is no Taliban to be afraid of.
The next time that I am faced with adversity, I will remember to stand up for what I believe in and fight for what is right. I will do my best to be like Malala and not be silenced even if all odds are against me. I am deserving of the opportunities that are available to me now and in the future and will do my best to make the most of them. Overall, I am really glad that I read this book as it opened my eyes to how fortunate I am and helped me learn about what girls my age in other countries have to endure each day to receive the same opportunities.
by Erin Kronabetter
I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai had a powerful impact on me. From the age of five, it is guaranteed that every day, for nine months out of the year, a yellow bus will pick me up near my house and take me to eight hours of school. I never realized that children around the world do not have the same promise. My parents have never limited my schooling because of their beliefs or our financial situation. In my country it is illegal to keep a child out of school. While reading Malala’s story I learned how hard it can be for children in third world countries, especially girls, to get an education. This book has changed the way I see my education. The right to go to school is a privilege that I now value. It is shocking to me that people pass up on this gift by dropping out of school. Kids around the world would give anything to go to school and teenagers throw that opportunity away. I think all students should read this book to understand how valuable their learning is.
Malala’s book also inspired me to stand up for what I believe in. She fought the Taliban, a dangerous jihadist group, for the education she deserved. Even after being attacked, Malala had the courage to fight for girl’s education. I have never been that passionate about any cause, but in the future I will have the bravery to voice my opinions on every subject that affects me. Malala is a strong role model to many young women and girls, including me.
by Alex Morales Lerma
This book hasn't changed any aspect of my life. Before reading this book I already appreciated education enough, and I already knew how important it is for people and how some undeveloped countries are in real need of a good education system. My parents have always told me that I am not going anywhere in life without an education, and eventually I have got to the conclusion that that is true, because I use to think that schools were places full of teachers that only tell you to do homework. How did I come to the conclusion that education is one of the best things ever invented ? During 8th grade I failed some classes. I wasnt listening to my parents, that were telling me to study and to read and to get good grades. But after realizing that I did not only fail myself, that I failed my parents too I started to see education as a really useful instrument to improve my capacities and my intellectual limits. And many people should realize this soon. So many people can get education so easily, but they decide to waste that opportunity. Many people receive education in poor conditions, and do you think they get angry because of that fact? No, they are so happy they can receive an education, they don't complain about being 50 people in the same class, because they consider themselves really fortunate of having such a great opportunity. In conclusion, people in occident waste opportunities because they don't appreciate what they have, while people in Africa or middle east only have chalk and a blackboard to learn.
This book hasn't changed any aspect of my life. Before reading this book I already appreciated education enough, and I already knew how important it is for people and how some undeveloped countries are in real need of a good education system. My parents have always told me that I am not going anywhere in life without an education, and eventually I have got to the conclusion that that is true, because I use to think that schools were places full of teachers that only tell you to do homework. How did I come to the conclusion that education is one of the best things ever invented ? During 8th grade I failed some classes. I wasnt listening to my parents, that were telling me to study and to read and to get good grades. But after realizing that I did not only fail myself, that I failed my parents too I started to see education as a really useful instrument to improve my capacities and my intellectual limits. And many people should realize this soon. So many people can get education so easily, but they decide to waste that opportunity. Many people receive education in poor conditions, and do you think they get angry because of that fact? No, they are so happy they can receive an education, they don't complain about being 50 people in the same class, because they consider themselves really fortunate of having such a great opportunity. In conclusion, people in occident waste opportunities because they don't appreciate what they have, while people in Africa or middle east only have chalk and a blackboard to learn.
by Vianca Cuevas
by Sequoia Bulson-Bratton