Malala's Magic Pencil

This is a beautiful little book with so many threads to follow. First, there is the thread of the "magic pen." The narrator (Malala) wishes for a magic pen, and as she learns more about her world, what she says she will do with that magic pen subtly changes from drawing a lock on her bedroom door to keep out her brothers to drawing a world without conflict where boys and girls are equal. There is a soft touch in the book that will draw in very young readers who recognize right away when they are being preached at versus when they are reading a story. This is a story. The other threads are educating girls, of course, and realizing the poverty within her community, and fighting the violence of the Taliban with words. If you are like me, you wondered how a book intended for very young audiences would deal with the terrifying act of violence done to Malala. The page where this occurs is simple, black, and says only that "My voice became so powerful that the dangersou men tried to silence me. But they failed." If you look closely, she is wearing a hospital bracelet and looking out the window, but I think most adult readers could read this page and continue without a child asking what happened to her. The older the child, the more likely the question. The last two pages are anecdotal summaries, and those do state that Malala was attacked, again not specifying what that means. Those who know and want to fill in the details have a beautiful framework in which to do so; those who prefer to focus on Malala as a leader for justice, peace, and education will find this to be a inspiring text. The illustrations have glittering gold throughout the first half of the narrative where the focus is on the magic pen. Then the book shifts focus from imagining to doing. I *LOVE* the inherent theme that imagining is the precursor to action and change. In the second half of the book are crumbling buildings, Taliban pushing women in full burka. An observant child (and what child isn't) will have a lot of questions about the illustrations throughout the book, so be prepared and look forward to some great conversations about different cultures, about war and violence, about reality. The gold returns on the last page when she is giving her UN speech. Very well done.

Such a beautiful story made child friendly ( they don’t put it in the book that she was shot in the head by terrorists and triumphantly and miraculously survived and bravely speaks and inspires girls and women around the world to stand for their rights!) but the beauty of her courage and inspiration translates wonderfully for a children’s story about a magic pen (her voice!)

I want my daughter and my sons to read about courageous women and girls. It’s hard to imagine a more courageous story than Malala’s.First, this book was appropriate for kids of multiple ages. My 7 and 9-year olds learned more about Malala from the detailed pictures. Her concrete home has cracked walls. A group of children literally pick through a trash heap to feed their families. There is a power in illustration to tell the context of the story, and for my two kids who already know Malala’s story and can learn more from illustration - well, it’s powerful.My 4-year-old has been deeply affected by recent school shootings near our house, and I didn’t want to read a book about someone getting shot going to school because he doesn’t need that right now - and nuance is lost when you’re four. This book gives you the option to talk about it or not. Malala is in a hospital gown with a bracelet on one page, but the shooting isn’t explicit. I have read the book several times with my little one, and he gets the courage and the context without getting more freaked out.Finally, the whole frame of her pencil being magical is just brilliant. Gold foil writing creeps across each page. And kids get that sometimes just telling your story - or listening to stories and taking action - is the central act of courage.

A beautiful book that I gave to my 7-year-old cousin for Christmas. It features some gorgeous gold print and tells an excellent story. The story is child-sensitive, and it doesn't gloss over Malala being shot, but it does make the incident as child-friendly for consumption as possible (it says something like "someone hurt me"), which I appreciated. It allows people to have productive conversations with young readers. My cousin loved the book, and I loved being able to give her a beautiful gift that I hope leaves an impression upon her.

[Originally reviewed on chalkacademy(dot)com]Malala herself wrote this beautiful story about the magic of the pen, the power of the human voice. She begins the story about a television show that inspired her to dream of a magic pencil. As she grows up, she realizes the magic is her own voice and bravery to speak up. The shooting isn’t mentioned, but Malala alludes to it on one page: “My voice became so powerful that the dangerous men tried to silence me. But they failed.” This is a true #ownvoices autobiographical picture book.Highly recommend for elementary school history / social studies, and it's just a wonderfully inspiring book to have at home. We're so grateful to have this book in both English and Chinese!

I purchased this book for my 6 year old daughter for Christmas. I love that this book is inspirational for young girls. The book made me cry, thinking about all that Malala has overcome. I’m very happy to be able to share Malala’s story in a way that is easy to understand for my kindergartener. I definitely recommend this.

An excellent picture book where Malala recounts her true story in a way that is suitable for a young audience from about 3-4 years old.Malala used to love a TV show called Shaka Laka Boom Boom and wished for a magic pencil like the boy on TV. However, when real trouble came, described in the book as 'powerful and dangerous men declared that girls should be forbidden from going to school' Malala needed just her voice and an ordinary pen to write about her life and that of her friends.The actual shooting is not mentioned for this audience (religion mentioned at all either). The text is simply written on a black page 'My voice became so powerful that dangerous men tried to silence me'. 'They failed'. On the opposite page is a drawing of Malala with her back to us, the only clue that she is in hospital is a hospital name tag around her wrist. I think this is a very delicate and touching way to present this horror where that adult can make a call whether to leave it at that, or answer any questions a child may have in a way they see fit.The ending is triumphant , of course, with Malala continuing to use her ordinary pencil and her ordinary voice to stand up for the rights of all people to have an education and to live in peace and safety. A must have book for every school and home.

We have had this book for several years and keep buying it for friends' children as their birthdays come around. I'd suggest it is suitable for children of 5+. My 8 year old son still loves this book and is always keen to talk about Malala and what she acheived. It has helped him begin to question the way the world works and is genuinely interested in the injustice occuring in other countries. It has helped pave the way for conversations about gender roles in society too and what real people have achieved by standing up for they think is right.My 5 year old son is just starting to appreciate it but I'd expect it to take another year for him to fully absorb the awesomness of Malala's story.Everyone we have gifted it to has loved it -boys and girls- and are fascinated how it is a real story.

My granddaughter aged 7,was very touched by this book and was telling people All about Malala. I think this speaks for itself.

A beautiful story of what you know is a harrowing age in a torn country. Yet the message is positive, clear and inspiring. Supported by stunning illustrations which tell a story of their own, it is a poignant book to share with others.

This is one of the best and rare books depicting plight of girls education in certain parts of the world. I had ordered this for my 7 year old grand daughter. After reading it, I did not give her at Christmas 2018, however I will give to her when she is 12-13 years old and would be able to understand complexities of different religions/cultures.