A strong choice for all middle grade shelves, especially where readers are seeking stories about young girls in non-Western countries overcoming adversity."- School Library Journal, starred review * This beautifully crafted and moving story will encourage middle grade readers to ponder such issues as indentured servitude, class, and resistance.
The rich storytelling, nuanced characterization of an all-Pakistani cast, complex and layered look at the socioeconomics of the region, and richly described setting make this ultimately hopeful contemporary tale a good alternative to Gloria Whelan's Homeless Bird and Patricia McCormick's Sold. Inspired by Malala Yousafzai and countless unknown girls like her, Saeed's timely and stirring middle-grade debut is a celebration of resistance and justice."- Kirkus Reviews, starred review * "Saeed's middle grade debut shares an empowering message about the importance of family, literacy, and cultural ties. Amal narrates, her passion for learning, love for her family, and despair at her circumstance evoked with sympathy and clarity, as is the setting. Saeed's eloquent, suspenseful, eye-opening tale offers a window into the contemporary practice of indentured servitude and makes a compelling case for the power of girls' education to transform systemic injustice." - Publishers Weekly, starred review * "A Pakistani girl's dreams of an education dissolve when she is forced into indentured servitude. Amal's experience navigating an unfamiliar social hierarchy in the landlord's lavish estate exposes her to pervasive gender inequities and unfair labor practices. * "Saeed ( Written in the Stars) infuses this true-to-life story of unjust power dynamics in a poor Pakistani village with a palpable sense of dread regarding the fate of the inquisitive, industrious, poetry-loving titular character. When it becomes clear just how far they will go to protect their interests, Amal realizes she will have to find a way to work with others if they are ever to exact change in a cruel status quo, and if Amal is ever to achieve her dreams. Most troubling, though, is Amal's growing awareness of the Khans' nefarious dealings.
#Amal unbound full#
Life at the opulent Khan estate is full of heartbreak and struggle for Amal-especially when she inadvertently makes an enemy of a girl named Nabila. Then the unimaginable happens-after an accidental run-in with the son of her village's corrupt landlord, Amal must work as his family's servant to pay off her own family's debt. Amal is upset, but she doesn't lose hope and finds ways to continue learning. Her dreams are temporarily dashed when-as the eldest daughter-she must stay home from school to take care of her siblings. Life is quiet and ordinary in Amal's Pakistani village, but she had no complaints, and besides, she's busy pursuing her dream of becoming a teacher one day. The compelling story of a girl's fight to regain her life and dreams after being forced into indentured servitude. About the Book Set in Pakistan, this middle-grade debut from the author of "Written in the Stars" tells the compelling story of a girl's fight to regain her life and dreams after being forced into indentured servitude to pay off her family's debt.īook Synopsis Saeed's timely and stirring middle-grade debut is a celebration of resistance and justice.-Kirkus Reviews, starred review
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