Twelve year old Amal lives a simple life in her Pakistani village, but she has big plans for her future. She knows she is meant to be a teacher, and she and her best friend Hafsa, who wants to become a doctor, plan to go to college together to make their dreams come true. But as an eldest daughter, Amal has a lot of responsibility at home. This only increases after her mother gives birth to a fifth daughter and becomes weak and despondent, most likely due to some sadness over the baby’s gender and also postpartum depression.
At first Amal is happy to stay home from school for a few days and help keep the household afloat, as she feels this is her duty. But then, Amal's father decides that Amal has been educated enough and, since she is needed more at home, cannot return to school. Amal is crushed. Her teacher, Miss Sadia, and sister, Seema, come up with a plan for Amal to continue learning from home. Amal tries to make the best of the situation, but she is upset by the unfairness of it. If she had been born a boy, or had not been a firstborn, none of this would be happening to her.
One day, she takes a walk to the market, to have some alone time, and has an unfortunate run-in with the village landlord. Not knowing who he is, or that her father is indebted to him, Amal talks back to him in public (he deserves it) and this results in Amal being sent to the landlord’s mansion to work as a servant. Her parents promise they will do everything in their power to get her home as quickly as possible, but Amal soon realizes that she most likely will be required to stay a servant for the rest of her life. As Amal tries to adjust to her new situation, there are many obstacles to overcome, but she refuses to give up on herself, and ends up changing the course of more than just her own life in the process.
This is a very well-written story that explores some deep topics, but presents them from the point of view of an older elementary-aged student who is just beginning to realize what injustice is, and what it can look like for different people. The book delves into the issue of class struggles, where a few very wealthy people can have almost ultimate power over the less fortunate in their communities. It also shows how things can often, and unfortunately, play out for young girls in countries where gender dictates so much about what is acceptable for them.
As an eldest daughter myself, I could really relate to Amal’s sense of responsibility for, and obligation to, her family. As a person who loves to read and learn, I was immediately drawn to her passion for education and books. Amal is a great role model for young readers because her reflections are honest and authentic, and she remains loyal to her family, but true to herself, regardless of the circumstances. I think this is a great book to pair with The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani as both are perfect for about 5th-7th grade, tie into various subject areas, and have a lot to offer in terms of thought-provoking discussion. (The Free Library of Philadelphia even offers the fantastic audio versions of these books, both read by Priya Ayyar.)
