Insta Review: We are Displaced, by Malala Yousafzai

Insta Review gives you a new book recommendation in under a minute. Go ahead, time it!

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It’s almost the 4th of July, and my mind is full of questions about what it means to be an American, a citizen, and a human. Malala Yousafzai’s new book does exactly what we have come to expect from Malala – takes her global spotlight and shines it on other young women, giving them a platform to share their stories, hopes, and drive to make the world a better place. All of the young women in this book have one critical thing in common: they have, for one reason or another, been forced to leave their homes. Some have resettled and feel happy and successful in their new locations. Others are stuck in limbo in refugee camps or have not been accepted as they attempted to start again. Whether it ends with a victorious high school graduation or a painful lack of closure, each story is powerful in its own right. The context and information included in We are Displaced will help readers of all ages make sense of refugee banter that takes place on the news and in political debates; but, more importantly, it will break through the statistics and propaganda to add a human face to these crises and our action (or lack of action) in their wake. Amazon suggests grades 7 and up, and on average, I’d agree. But know your reader – refugee stories, by definition, aren’t happy-go-lucky tales. Tough topics are handled age appropriately, but it would be impossible to tell these stories without including pain, loss, and terror. Some will be ready for these stories earlier, and some will need more time to prepare. We are Displaced ends with extra background information, updates on contributors, and a call to action for young people looking to get involved, learn more, and make a difference in their communities. Once again, Malala has brought about questions and discussions that will linger in my head long after tomorrow’s fireworks have faded. #stabsummerreading #ireadya #yalit #refugees #malalayousafzai #wearedisplaced #human #bookreview

A post shared by Ms. Fitz (she/her) (@fitzbetweentheshelves) on Jul 3, 2019 at 9:32am PDT