Malala's Magic Pencil
Picture Book Read Aloud
book summary
This book details Malala’s childhood in Pakistan. She is able to go to school, but many other children, especially girls, couldn’t. Malala learns some of the reasons the other children couldn’t go to school including extreme poverty, parents’ beliefs that only boys should go to school, and wanting young girls to stay home to clean and cook.
Children not having the chance to go to school really bothered Malala. In search for a way she could help, Malala remembered a TV show that she used to watch with her brothers about a boy with a magic pencil that would get himself out of situations by drawing something that could save him. Malala is inspired by the idea of using her pencil to make things better. She dreamed big and came up with plans on how she could help others in Pakistan and beyond with her pencil.
Malala went on to be a strong advocate for education, especially education for girls. At the age of 17, she was also honored as the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for her work.
suggested teaching point
Pages 8-9 provide an excellent opportunity for readers to compare and contrast.
The illustrations on these pages show what each night and morning is like for Malala. Think about the actions she takes each evening versus the actions she takes each morning. Think about what she is thinking and feeling in the evening versus the morning. Describe how you think Malala is feeling in the evenings as she prepares for bed. How is she feeling in the morning?
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