We are all familiar with “I Am Malala,” the autobiography of Malala Yousafzai, recipient of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize and survivor of a shot in the head by the Taliban after she stood up for the educational rights of women. Over the summer, all students at Xavier College Preparatory were required to read “I Am Malala,” take a test and participate in a discussion considering the themes and ideas in the book. All classes were comprised of two to three random members from each class at each table. Seniors lead the discussion.

Considered by some to be the best learning experience in the beginning of the year, the discussion was productive and efficient with many students speaking about women’s rights, Pashtun culture, the Middle East, family relationships, faith and the bravery of Yousafzai.

Opinions about the time of the discussion and the test vary across the board for many students.

Junior Molly Donahue said, “The discussion should have taken place before the summer reading exam to give a review before the test.”

Junior Julia Miller said, “It was nice to digest it all. I had to have time to think about it after the test.” 

Throughout the discussion, most of questions tried to get the students to relate Yousafzai’s story to their own life and consider what the students would have done if they had been in her position. It was hard for many students to imagine being in such a dire situation as Yousafzai’s.

The discussion, which varied at each table,  helped increase the students’ comprehension of the book. With topics such as the strength of Yousafzai’s Muslim faith, her relationship with her father and the complicated situation in the Middle East, the “I Am Malala” discussion opened students to world views and ideas of which they may have been previously unsure or unaware.

Junior Katie Clelland said, “I thought the book was very insightful. Opening up such a book to everyone for discussion allowed us to have a variety of opinions which further cultivated our experiences from the book.”

The student body seems very receptive to the possibility of having a discussion of this nature every year. As Malala Yousafzai said, “One child, one book, one pen can save the world.” Because of this discussion, many students’ perceptions and expectations about the world were changed.