Amal Unbound

Amal Unbound is a gripping novel about bravery, the power of education, and the need to think beyond the status quo. I loved rooting for Amal and getting a glimpse into Pakistan. Highly recommended. As a side note, I’d also recommend the author’s first book, a young adult novel titled ‘Written in the Stars’ that I absolutely loved.

Excellent and important story with a Pakistani female heroine.

This book is written for children and is without bad language, sex, drugs, extreme violence (see note way below– it is a spoiler). Absolutely suitable for older elementary. This one belongs on everyone’s shelf.

As a 3rd grade teacher, who focuses on diverse literature and jumps on any chance to bring the global world into my classroom, I had Amal Unbound sitting on my shelf for a while. I didnt read it as soon as it was released because it had been marketed as 10 years and up, so more along 4th/5th grade interest level. I am so mad at myself for not reading it sooner! Needless to say, I read it in one sitting and was cheering for Amal. Her courage and bravery are impressive and the writing is so authentic, I never once questioned any expressions or descriptions used. Amal navigates an environment that is anything but easy and she shows that characters have many different facets in real life, even when they are cruel at their core.

Im not brave. Im terrified. I just dont have a choice.
You always have a choice. Making choices even when they scare you because you know its the right thing to dothats bravery.

This is one of those books that stay with you for a while. Enough has been said by previous reviewers about the book lending itself to discussions about courage, determination, the power of education, modern day slavery, gender, economics (debts, loans, etc.), etc.

The book is written with a younger audience in mind as well.

When I hear the words “indentured servant” I think of a youth or immigrant in colonial America, working seven years to learn a trade and work their way to freedom. In Amal Unbound, author Aisha Saeed shines a light on the hidden, present day, virtual enslavement of oppressed people, especially girls.
Twelve -year-old Amal is the eldest child living in a present day Pakistani village. One day she is attending school, dreaming of becoming a teacher and the next she must stay home to take care of her family while her mother recovers from childbirth.
Frustrated by having to care for her two younger sisters, Amal goes to the market alone, enjoying her temporary reprieve from constant care taking.
She is nearly run over by the corrupt and ruthless overlord who rules the village with impossible financial demands. Amal could be killed, beaten, or forced to live and work in the overlord’s household. Even as the car arrives to take her away, Amal and her family hold out hope that they will be able to raise the money to buy her freedom.
Amal soon learns that she has little chance of leaving the situation and despair nearly overtakes her. She must learn to negotiate the complex social system of the house staff and barely escapes the overlord’s wrath after being set up by another servant. Worse, the Kahn family kills those who stand in their way.
Amal rises above her despair and risks all in a desperate plan to bring justice to her village and to win her freedom.
The story of Amal Unbound is as stunning and compelling as the book’s cover. According to Saeed, most indentured servitude does not end with freedom and this odious practice is a world-wide problem, but readers will cheer Amal’s determination and fortitude.
Perfect for a read aloud, book club, or gift for middle grade students and teachers.

Even though this is in the young adult category, its worthy of reading by all ages. Life isnt fair, but a few brave souls still stand up for what is right.

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