Amal Unbound

 1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Saeed, Aisha. 2018. Amal unbound. (N. Ayyar, Priya.) Portland, ME: Listening Library. ISBN: 9780525632115

2.      PLOT SUMMARY

Amal is a young girl growing up in Pakistan that dreams of becoming a teacher when she grows up. She has 3 sisters and another is born into the family at the beginning of the story. She observes the disappointment that is felt when news of her sister is shared. As the oldest, she runs the household while her mom recovers from childbirth. While she is picking up groceries for the family, Amal disrespects a very important man in her village, Jawad Sahib. This leads to her being forced into indentured servitude. In his house she is lonely, scared, and mistreated. She holds onto the good moments with the other servants, the books she’s able to get her hands on, and Jawad’s mother whom she serves closely. When the opportunity comes to expose the crimes of the family, she takes it and ends up freeing herself and another servant.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Amal is a sweet girl that has big dreams. She struggles with her place in life and wants more. I don’t know a lot about Pakistan, but the book’s events seem like they could be real in the context described. The clothing named was authentic and I would’ve appreciated a bit more of a description. She feels very badly about ruining her life and the life of her family by not being able to let things pass. Her family is filled with love and she has the support of so many great friends. The realities of her situation are apparent throughout. Her having to stay home with her siblings while her mom recovers is already very difficult for her. The book has a good number of details, but it’s also driven by a lot of movement. Amal’s fear, frustration, and confusion are described really well, and it’s easy to relate to her. Amal’s courage and her insistency in doing what is right leads her to the thing she desires most, her freedom. The setting is described really well. It’s easy to imagine the great difference from her home and the home that she has to serve in. Amal knew that she should listen to the voice of her mother and father, but she also couldn’t stand injustices. The love that she had for her family drives her back to them. The importance of friendship and learning to forgive and understand are also themes that are present.

4.      REVIEW EXCERPTS

Reviewed in Booklist: “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.”

Starred review in Horn Book Guide: “When she has an opportunity to expose the truth, she takes it. Short chapters and unadorned prose make the story accessible and direct, with Amal’s emotions, perspective, and strength anchoring the narrative.”

Starred review in Kirkus Reviews: “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, Saeed’s timely and stirring middle-grade debut is a celebration of resistance and justice.”

Starred review in Publishers Weekly: “Saeed's 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.”

Starred review in School Library Journal: “A strong choice for all middle grade shelves, especially where readers are seeking stories about young girls in non-Western countries overcoming adversity.”

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

ALA Notable Children's Books

 

5.      CONNECTIONS

*Other books written by Aisha Saeed:

Saeed, Aisha. Omar rising. ISBN: 9780593108581

Saeed, Aisha. Grounded: A novel. ISBN: 9781419761751

Saeed, Aisha. Written in the stars. ISBN: 9780147513939

*This book can be used to initiate discussions about the differences between life in Pakistan and in America.

*Invite students to write letters to Amal asking her any questions they still have about the story or sharing their favorite part.