Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed (English) Hardcover Book

Description: Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed Aisha Saeeds middle-grade debut tells the compelling story of a girls fight to regain her life and dreams after being forced into indentured servitude. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Aisha Saeeds middle-grade debut tells the compelling story of a girls fight to regain her life and dreams after being forced into indentured servitude.Life is quiet and ordinary in Amals Pakistani village, but she had no complaints, and besides, shes busy pursuing her dream of becoming a teacher one day. Her dreams are temporarily dashed when--as the eldest daughter--she must stay home from school to take care of her siblings. Amal is upset, but she doesnt lose hope and finds ways to continue learning. Then the unimaginable happens--after an accidental run-in with the son of her villages corrupt landlord, Amal must work as his familys servant to pay off her own familys debt. 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. Most troubling, though, is Amals growing awareness of the Khans nefarious dealings. 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. Author Biography Aisha Saeed also wrote Written in the Stars, and is a Pakistani-American writer, teacher, and attorney. She has been featured on MTV, the Huffington Post, NBC and the BBC, and her writings have appeared in publications including the journal ALAN and the Orlando Sentinel. As one of the founding members of the much talked about We Need Diverse Books Campaign, she is helping change the conversation about diverse books. Aisha lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and sons. Review * "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. . . . Amals experience navigating an unfamiliar social hierarchy in the landlords lavish estate exposes her to pervasive gender inequities and unfair labor practices. . . . Saeeds 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 girls dreams of an education dissolve when she is forced into indentured servitude. . . . Amal narrates, her passion for learning, love for her family, and despair at her circumstance evoked with sympathy and clarity, as is the setting. Inspired by Malala Yousafzai and countless unknown girls like her, Saeeds timely and stirring middle-grade debut is a celebration of resistance and justice."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "Saeeds middle grade debut shares an empowering message about the importance of family, literacy, and cultural ties. 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 Whelans Homeless Bird and Patricia McCormicks Sold. 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. Saeeds well-developed narrative will evoke empathy for all those around the world like Amal, who are not guaranteed freedom or education. An inspired read for all, particularly for those who have followed Malala Yousafzais story or enjoyed Deborah Ellis The Breadwinner or Tara Sullivans The Bitter Side of Sweet."—School Library Connection, starred review"Readers will find that a little perseverance and a heart filled with hope can eventually surmount a harsh reality. Saeed fills her prose with lush descriptions of Pakistani life, while still managing to connect with readers whose surroundings and experiences will be starkly different. Hand to any reader who struggles with definitive gender roles, norms, and expectations held in place by societal structures."—Booklist "This simple yet lyrical novel paints an evocative picture of life in a small village in modern-day Pakistan, especially the limits placed on girls and women. . . . It may serve as a read-alike or a gateway to stories such as Yousafzais autobiography, I Am Malala; The Lines We Cross by Randa Abdel-Fattah; and Saeeds debut novel, Written in the Stars."—The Voice of Youth Advocates"Amals narration is straightforward and direct, and her despair at losing her dreams is palpable, as is her unflagging determination to get them back. . . . Theres clear commentary on the marginalized lives of girls and women in Pakistan . . . and the fight for her education is already fraught even before she is taken from her home. An authors note discusses the issues of indentured servitude, particularly among girls."—The Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books"This heart-wrenching yet hopeful contemporary novel about class, gender, and literacy features a narrator who takes great risks in the name of justice and self-determination. . . . Short chapters and unadorned prose make the story accessible and direct, with Amals emotions, perspective, and strength anchoring the narrative. An authors note asserts that Amal represents real women and girls who fight injustice across the globe, often without recognition."—Horn Book Review Quote * "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. . . . Amals experience navigating an unfamiliar social hierarchy in the landlords lavish estate exposes her to pervasive gender inequities and unfair labor practices. . . . Saeeds 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 Excerpt from Book Chapter 1 I watched from the window as the boys tumbled out of the brick schoolhouse across the field from us. Our class was running over. Again. Girls shifted in their seats and snuck glances at the clock above the chalkboard. My friend Hafsa sighed. "And finally, I have some bad news," Miss Sadia told us. She picked up a stack of papers from her desk. "I finished grading your math tests. Only five of you passed." The class let out a collective groan. "Now, now," she hushed us. "This just means we have more work to do. Well go over it tomorrow and take another test next week." "Those questions were hard," my younger sister Seema whispered to me. We lined up by the chalkboard at the front of the class to get our tests. "I shouldve stayed with the younger class until fall." "Oh, come on. You know you probably passed," I whispered back. "When have you ever failed an exam?" Seema tugged at her sleeves as she walked up to Miss Sadia. It was only in the arms that you could see my old uniform was too big on her. Miss Sadia handed Seema the paper. As expected, Seemas worried expression shifted to a smile. Her steps were lighter before she slipped out of the classroom. "Im sorry I cant help today," I told Miss Sadia once the room was empty. This was my favorite part of the day, when everyone left and it was just the two of us. The building felt like it had exhaled, expanding a little bit without all thirty-four of us, crammed two to a desk, filling up nearly every square inch of space. "My mother is in bed again." "Is the baby almost here?" "Yes, so my father said I have to come home and watch my sisters." "Ill miss your help, Amal, but hes right; family comes first." I knew helping family was what a good eldest daughter did, but this time after school with Miss Sadia wasnt just fun; it was important. I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up, and who better to learn from than the best teacher I ever had? I loved washing the chalkboards, sweeping the floor and hearing stories of her college days. I loved watching her go over her lessons and rework them based on what worked and what didnt the day before. I learned so much from watching her. How could my father not understand? "I could still use your help with the poetry unit next week," she told me. "Some of the students are grumbling about it. Think you could convince Hafsa to give it a chance? You know how she rallies the others to her side. Shell listen to you." "I dont think she minds reading the poems. Writing them makes her nervous." "Youd think everyone would be happy to write poetry! Shorter than an essay." "Its different. The great poets like Ghalib, Rumi, Iqbal--they had things to say." "And dont you have things to say?" "What would I write about?" I laughed. "My little sisters? My fathers sugarcane fields and orange groves? I love reading poems, but theres nothing for me to really write about. Our life is boring." "Thats not true! Write about what you see! Write about your dreams. Pakistan was founded by the dreams of poets. Arent we of the same earth?" Miss Sadias dramatic way of talking was one of the reasons I loved her, but I wasnt convinced. Its not that I wasnt proud of my family and our life. I was lucky to belong to one of the more prosperous families in our Punjabi village but it didnt change the fact that I lived in a village so tiny, it didnt even register as a dot on a map. But I promised Id talk to Hafsa. This is what I now remember most about my last afternoon at school--the smell of the dusty chalkboard, the sound of the students lingering outside the door, and mostly, how easily I took my ordinary life for granted. Chapter 2 I raced down the schools gravel walkway to catch up to Seema and Hafsa. The sun blazed overhead, warming my chador and my hair beneath it. "Im buying Miss Sadia one of those bells I see on TV. You know, the kind that rings when class is over?" Hafsa grumbled. "She doesnt always keep us late," I protested. "Remember last week?" Hafsa said. "How she went on and on about constellations? By the time I got home, my brothers were out of their school clothes and halfway through their homework." "But wasnt it interesting?" I asked. "The way the night stars help us when were lost and tell all sorts of different stories?" "Why do I need to know about connecting dots in the sky? I want to be the first doctor in my family. Not the first astronaut," Hafsa said. Hafsa and I had been friends so long, I couldnt remember a time I didnt know her, but when she talked like this, I didnt understand her at all. Unlike Hafsa, I wanted to know everything there was to know. How fast did airplanes fly? Why did some leave whiffs of clouds in their wake and others didnt? Where did ladybugs go when the rain came hard and fast? What was it like to walk through the streets of Paris, or New York, or Karachi? There was so much I didnt know that even if I spent my whole life trying, I knew I could only learn a small percentage of it. "Hows your mom?" Hafsa asked. "My mother said her back is hurting." "Its gotten worse," I told her. "She couldnt get out of bed yesterday." "My mother said thats a good sign. Backaches mean a boy," Hafsa said. "I know that would make your parents happy." "It would be fun to have a brother," I said. "There it is! Look at the door!" Hafsa said when we turned the bend toward our homes. She pointed to the building that had appeared next to our village mosque. A structure had never emerged quite like this before with no explanation. Two weeks ago, a concrete foundation had been poured onto the field where we played soccer. The next week, brick walls arose and windows appeared, and today there was a door--painted lime green! "Any idea yet what it could be?" I asked her. "Yes." Hafsa grinned. If Hafsa could have it her way, shed be permanently stationed by the crates of fruit at her familys market, soaking up every bit of gossip. "Khan Sahib is building a factory." I rolled my eyes. Rumors and gossip were a part of life in our village. Some of the talk was ordinary, about the state of the crops or the weather, but often it centered on Khan Sahib, our villages powerful landlord. "Why would he build a factory here? He has plenty in Islamabad and Lahore," Seema said. What we need is a clinic. Look how much Ammas back hurts. The doctor in town is good, but this village needs a proper clinic." "Do you really think Khan Sahib would put up anything to help us?" Hafsa scoffed. "Maybe its not him building it," I suggested. "Look at the fancy green door! Who else has time and money to waste like that? You know Im right." Any unexplainable situation was always pinned to Khan Sahib. He was the mysterious figure Id heard of all my life but never seen. When I was younger, he loomed large and scary, like a character in a horror story. "Sure! Hes the one who breathes fire when he talks, right?" I rolled my eyes. "Didnt he pick all the fruit off Naimas guava tree?" Seema winked. "I heard hes why weve had no rain for months," I continued. "I dont decide what I hear," Hafsa huffed. "I just report it." "Well find out what it is soon enough." I hooked my arm through Seemas. "But in the meantime, lets hope its a clinic." Hafsas house came first on our path, just past the post office. Then came mine. I saw it in the distance. Gray like the others surrounding it except for the roses my mother planted around its border just before I was born; they still bloomed each spring around this time, without fail. Its why spring was my favorite time of year. My friend Omar peddled past us in his blue and khaki school uniform. He chimed his bell three times, our signal to meet. The stream. Thats the direction he was headed in. "Oh no." I looked in my book bag. "I left my exam in class." "Again?" Hafsa frowned. "Tell Amma I wont be long?" I asked Seema. Seema hesitated. Our father would be home soon, but she knew Omar didnt chime his bicycle bell three times unless it was important. "Okay." Seema nodded. "Hurry." Details ISBN0399544682 Author Aisha Saeed Year 2018 ISBN-10 0399544682 ISBN-13 9780399544682 Format Hardcover Place of Publication New York, NY Country of Publication United States DEWEY FIC Pages 240 Media Book Publisher Nancy Paulsen Books Imprint Nancy Paulsen Books Language English Publication Date 2018-05-08 AU Release Date 2018-05-08 NZ Release Date 2018-05-08 US Release Date 2018-05-08 UK Release Date 2018-05-08 Audience Age 10-14 Audience Children / Juvenile We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:141695914;

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