Malala Speaks Up for School
Malala Yousafzai was born on July 12, 1997. She grew up in the Swat Valley in Pakistan.
Malala loved books. Her father was a teacher who ran a school.
Malala loved to sit in the classroom and learn. She wanted every child to have that same joy.
When Malala was ten years old, things changed in her valley. Some leaders said girls could not attend school anymore.
Malala knew that learning was important. She spoke up on the radio and wrote stories about her school days.
She said that girls have a right to learn. Even when it was hard, Malala used her voice to ask for help.
Leaders across the world heard her words. People cheered for her courage.
In 2014, Malala won the Nobel Peace Prize. She was only seventeen years old.
Malala teaches us that children need more than just hope to go to school. Communities must build safe buildings and buy books.
Governments must make fair laws so every child can learn. Malala still travels the world to help young people speak up.
- attend:
- To go to a place, such as going to school.
- courage:
- Being brave when facing hard or scary situations.
- joy:
- A deep feeling of happiness.
- laws:
- Rules made by leaders to keep people safe and fair.
- right:
- Something that a person should fairly and naturally have.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Where did Malala grow up?
- 2What job did Malala's father have?
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About this biography passage for Lower Elementary
“Malala Speaks Up for School” is a biography reading passage about Malala Yousafzai and Girls' Education, written for Lower Elementary. It takes about 1 minute to read (177 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.