Structure

The book opens with a Prologue which is a brief description of the day Malala is shot.

The book is divided into five “parts.” Part I is titled “Before the Taliban.” It includes eight chapters. In this part, Malala introduces her family and talks about many aspects of her life. It is in Part I that Malala sees children rummaging through a trash heap. She wants to find a way for them to attend school.

Part II is titled “The Valley of Death.” Chapters 9 through 15 appear in this part. Malala describes the rise of the Taliban and other aspects of her life, including the family’s decision to leave their home for a short time.

Part Three is titled, “Three Girls, Three Bullets.” Chapters 16 through 20 are in this part. In this section, Malala describes the day leading up to the moment she’s attacked. The Taliban soldier...