Review: "Amal Unbound," by Aisha Saeed

Amal wants to be a teacher, but being a girl in small-town Pakistan, she is not expected to have an education. Instead, when her mother gives birth to her newest baby, Amal is expected to leave school and take care of the house and her other sisters while her mom recovers. One fateful trip to the market leads Amal to a life she never imagined, trapped as an indentured servant to the most powerful man in her village. Amal dreams of getting free and fulfilling her goal of being a teacher, but how can she escape his powerful grasp? I think this book is a great window into that side of the world without being too realistic as to the horrors someone like Amal would truly face. It’s written perfectly for a middle grade audience.

Mrs. Denney's Rating: ***

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