Book Review: We Are Displaced: My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls Around the World by Malala Yousafzai

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 224 pages

Published: January 8, 2019

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Genre:  Nonfiction, Autobiography & Memoirs

Synopsis:

Nobel Peace Prize-winner Malala Yousafzai will start with her own story of displacement as an Internally Displaced Person to show what it means to lose your home, your community, and the only world you’ve ever known. She will also share the personal stories of some of the girls she has met on her various journeys to refugee camps and the cities where refugee girls and their families have settled.

In a time of immigration crises, war, and border conflicts, We Are Displaced is a reminder from one of the world’s most famous people who experienced displacement that everyone deserves universal human rights and a home.

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After I read Malala’s memoir and learned more about her, I discovered that she was an inspiration. I know that it is cliché to say but in this case, it is absolutely true. Malala’s story was just so extraordinary that it was so hard to believe, at first. However, her tale not only allowed me to open my mind to a new issue but also made me appreciate more what I had. I was immediately thrilled to see that Malala released a new book that would be again full of her insight and wisdom. But instead of telling us her story, she discovered and incorporated young women’s stories that needed to be revealed in the light.

We think we know everything we need to know about the refugee crisis. But there are things that news reports, magazines and newspapers don’t reveal to the readers. That is why it is up to us to discover what we can, to understand why people would have to flee their homes. This book what was definitely needed, especially in this political climate. We say that we understand the situation but the truth is we don’t. We can never truly feel empathy for these refugees until we experience what they went through and Malala’s latest book gives us that rare opportunity.

Malala starts off her experience about her and her family is displaced, however, she doesn’t spend a lot of time on that. As she says, this is the time to hear other girls’ stories. The narratives that Malala heard are gut-wrenching but at the same time are uplifting. The point is not to identify the ones that have or will have a happy ending. All the stories have one running theme: hope. Hope to survive, hope to thrive and hope in their family. As long as they have that hope, their resilience and determination can never falter. That advice is something all readers can take to heart.

I am not going to go into heavy details about the girls’ stories because not only do I want you to read them but I don’t believe I have the right words that can describe how powerful and eye-opening these narratives are. I will say that my favorite one was Marie Claire’s narrative. Her struggles and successes brought me to tears. I am so glad this book is targeted towards a younger audience. Kids and teens need to hear this story from unbiased accounts and that is what they’ll get from this book.

Malala has done it again. She has brought an important to the forefront and make society face it head on. Powerful and thought-provoking, I consider this to be one of the best books of 2019.

Overall rating: 5 out of  5 stars

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