She teases him a lot and gives him advice about who she thinks is a genuine friend and who is not, and my father says she is always right. Most Pashtun men never do this, as sharing problems with women is seen as weak.

In Chapter 1, Malala describes the marriage of her parents, Ziauddin and Toor Pekai. Their relationship is her first and most intimate example of nonconformity. In her parents’ marriage, Malala sees true equality and respect, making them unique among other Pashtun couples. This kind of partnership comes naturally for both of them, and they allow Malala the same kind of freedom to follow her heart even if her choices differ from strict cultural traditions. Just as they have not lived strictly by Pashtun practices, they will not bind Malala to them either.

When we learned she was dead, my heart said to me, Why don’t you go there and fight for women’s rights? We were looking forward to democracy and now people asked, "if Benazir can die, nobody is safe." It felt as if my country were running out of hope.

Malala experiences a moment of desperation when she learns of Benazir Bhutto’s death in Chapter 10. Before her death, Bhutto symbolized hope and served as proof that girls like Malala could grow up to be leaders. The Taliban killed Bhutto because she dared to oppose them, leaving little girls in Pakistan with no representation in their government along with a traumatic memory of what happens when women speak out. This desperation ultimately motivates Malala to become a politician. She refuses to follow the traditional path for women but will instead follow in Bhutto’s footsteps and work toward a brighter future for Pakistani women no matter the consequences.

Rehanna told me that thousands and millions of people and children around the world had supported me and prayed for me. Then I realized that people had saved my life. I had been spared for a reason.

In Chapter 23, Malala awakes in the hospital confused and scared, and a Muslim chaplain named Rehanna tells her of the outpouring of support she has received. Shocked and humbled, Malala now understands that her work impacts people across the world. Although she focuses on girls’ education in Pakistan, Malala has inspired marginalized people everywhere. As this reality sets in, Malala credits these strangers for saving her life through prayer. Throughout the book, Malala turns to prayer when she feels helpless. Although Malala could not pray after the shooting, her life was spared because millions of strangers prayed for her.  The miraculous nature of her survival against all odds convinces Malala that God approves of her work and wants her to continue.