Chapters 9, 11 & 13 are central to Malala's story. If you are unable to assign the entire book for the Common Reader, you may elect to read one or more of the following chapters as independent or stand alone chapters and use the questions for classroom discussion or a writing assignment.
Chapter 9 Discussion Questions
1) What was the Taliban’s message?
2) How did the Taliban initially communicate with the people of the Swat Valley? Why do you think they were effective in convincing people with their message?
3) What do you think is the proper role of religion in making laws for civil society?
4) How would you respond to the events Malala was dealing with?
5) Do the actions of Malala’s mother seem to be consistent with the Taliban’s view of women, or is it at odds with it? What does Malala think?
6) Does the Taliban’s message change from the beginning of the chapter to the end? If so, how?
7) The rule of the Taliban seems repressive to us, but why does the group become so influential and why does it become popular?
Chapter 11 Discussion Questions
1) Why do you think the girls continued to go to school?
2) Is the Pakistani Army preferable to the Taliban? Why or why not?
3) Why are schools being targeted by the Taliban? Does this have anything to do with the Taliban's outlawing of CD's, dancing, etc? Why would they choose this approach?
4) What is the Qaumi Jirga? Why is it important?
5) Do you think that doing the interviews that Malala did was a good thing? Why?
Chapter 13 Discussion Questions
1) What is the name of Malala's diary? Did the writing of this diary influence her development as an education rights leader? Why or why not? Read excerpts of the diary here.
2) How was Malala feeling at the end of her term?
3) When she was faced with the thought of losing school completely, what did she do?
1. Research Nobel Peace Prize winners and compare and contrast their contributions to peace and education with Malala's work.
2. Malala's father was a strong influence in her life--he was a mentor and a teacher. Think of a teacher, family member or friend who has influenced you. How has this person recognized your strengths and helped you develop them?
3. What are your strengths? How can you use your strengths to nurture, influence and teach others?
4. How does Malala's struggle inspire you as a student?
5. How did the Taliban change the lives of women and men in Pakistan? Did education make a difference in what people came to believe? Find and cite one information source that supports your position.
Use one or more of the discussion guides to find chapter questions, themes or topics for discussion:
I am Malala: A Resource Guide for Educators (George Washington University)
Questions and Topics for Discussion (Little, Brown Publisher)
Text in Community Study Guide (Created by Dr. Michael K. Cundall, Jr., Darrell Hairston, and Anna Whiteside: University Honors Program, North Carolina State University)