An uplifting novel for 11-13 year olds about oppression, privilege, girls and womens’ status, education and diversity, and also a heartwarming story about a girl with a mission
Twelve-year-old Amal loves learning and dreams of becoming a teacher.
Then something unimaginable happens—after an accidental run-in with the son of her village's corrupt landlord, she is forced to work as his family's servant to pay off her own family's debt.
At the opulent and corrupt Khan estate, Amal realises she will have to find a way to work with others in order to bring about change, and to achieve her dreams.
Inspired by Malala Yousafzai, Amal Unbound is a heartwarming story for brave girls everywhere.
About the Author
Aisha Saeed is a Pakistani-American writer, teacher, and attorney. She is one of the creators of the #WeNeedDiverseBooks social media campaign. Her writings have appeared in Orlando Sentinel, Muslim Girl Magazine, and Rivaaj Magazine. She is a contributing author to the highly acclaimed Love Insh’Allah: The Secret Love Lives of American Muslim Women, which features the story of her own (happily) arranged marriage. Aisha lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and sons.
Industry Reviews
`Raw, honest, funny, charming and hopeful. A reminder of how people with privilege should never underestimate the courage and strength of young people fighting for their rights. Girls and boys everywhere can learn so much from a young girl like Amal.' -- Randa Abdel-Fattah
`A wonderfully uplifting tale of courage and the fight for justice. Saeed has created a compelling story that shines a light on a part of our world that has been ignored for far too long.' -- Zana Fraillon
`A beautiful and moving story about indentured servitude, economic class, family, resistance and ultimately-freedom. Amal's story and the many people we meet in it are so thoughtfully and deeply rendered, I remain haunted by their struggles and changed by their journeys.' -- Jacqueline Woodson
`This heroic story about a girl's struggle to become educated against overwhelming odds will open readers' eyes and hearts. A gorgeous and compelling read.' -- Laurie Halse Anderson
`Saeed infuses this true-to-life story of unjust power dynamics in a poor Pakistani village with a palpable sense of dread regarding the fate of the inquisitive, industrious, poetry-loving titular character...Amal's experience navigating an unfamiliar social hierarchy in the landlord's lavish estate exposes her to pervasive gender inequities and unfair labour practices...Saeed's eloquent, suspenseful, eye-opening tale offers a window into the contemporary practice of indentured servitude and makes a compelling case for the power of girls' education to transform systemic injustice.' * Publishers Weekly, starred review *
`A Pakistani girl's dreams of an education dissolve when she is forced into indentured servitude...Amal narrates, her passion for learning, love for her family, and despair at her circumstance evoked with sympathy and clarity, as is the setting. Inspired by Malala Yousafzai and countless unknown girls like her, Saeed's timely and stirring middle-grade debut is a celebration of resistance and justice.' * Kirkus Reviews, starred review *
`Readers will find that a little perseverance and a heart filled with hope can eventually surmount a harsh reality. Saeed fills her prose with lush descriptions of Pakistani life, while still managing to connect with readers whose surroundings and experience will be starkly different. Hand to any reader who struggles with definitive gender roles, norms, and expectations held in place by societal structures.' * Booklist *
`Saeed's eloquent, suspenseful, eye-opening tale offers a window into the contemporary practice of indentured servitude and makes a compelling case for the power of girls' education to transform systemic injustice.' * Publishers Weekly, starred review *
`A beautifully written and extraordinary narrative of one young girl and her determination to invoke change. Essential reading.' * Diva Booknerd *
`Full of character and interest and written with a lovely balanced clarity, it celebrates the power of the gutsy individual.' * Magpies Magazine *
`Inspired by Malala Yousafzai, who advocates for women's rights in Pakistan, this is a compelling tale of one girl's determination to make the world a fairer place.' * Booktrust UK *
`Saeed's rich, complex middle grade debut takes a nuanced look at the socioeconomics of modern Pakistan while sharing an empowering message about family, literacy, and culture.' * School Library Journal, Best Books of 2018 *
