Maslo creates a sensitive overview of Malala Yousafzai's life in this picture-book biography for young readers. "She wanted to be free, like the kites. She wanted to fly," Maslo writes. "Malala will be free as a bird!" Complementing the inspirational text are whimsical illustrations depicting Malala growing up outside the cultural confines of girls in Pakistan. Malala was encouraged to fly free by her parents as she sought to further her education. The story progresses showing the tumultuous times of the Taliban, whose extremist ideas include destroying all-girl schools. The art seamlessly flows into darker hues and tense emotions as it culminates in Malala's miraculous brush with death (handled fairly abstractly). The resolution switches back to lighter hues as Malala's determination sets in. An awe-inspiring tribute to the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner ever, and a solid introduction for younger readers to a different religion, culture, and fight for women's rights.

The inspiring story of the young Pakistani girls'-education activist is told simply yet with some lyricism. Maslo's stylized acrylic and ink illustrations--in a strong, limited palette of blue, red, black, and gray--show realistic details but portray Malala's assassination attempt by the Taliban as an abstract painting without text (afterward the incident is described in words). Includes an excellent author's note. Reading list, timeline, websites.

Another picture-book biography about Pakistani schoolgirl-turned-international heroine Malala Yousafzai.In Maslo's picture-book debut, she frames Malala's story around the concept of freedom. The book opens with a quote from Malala's father: "I did not clip her wings, and that's all." It ends with another quote from him as well: "Don't you think she is meant for the skies!" Malala's father's influence is highlighted throughout: his love, encouragement, and support and his inspiring example. Other than the direct quotes, the prose is simple. The color palette of the pictures effectively conveys moments of hope, fear, and violence with swaths of dark gray, black and blue, patches of red, and ample white space. While most accounts of Malala's story note that she used a pseudonym and wrote for an international blog, the illustrations in this book show her speaking on television before she was attacked by the Taliban. An ample quote from her speech at the United Nations Youth Assembly captures Malala's message well, but the overall narrative about Malala as an individual seeking "freedom" subdues the part of her message that contextualizes her speech as one voice with and for many other voices. A detailed author's note, timeline, biographical note, and further resources section round out this offering.Choose this book to portray Malala as exceptional; look elsewhere to emphasize her place in a larger movement. (Picture book/biography. 5-10)

Nobel Peace Prize-winner Malala Yousafzai is immediately recognizable in newcomer Maslo-s graceful acrylic and ink artwork, through which she traces the girl-s burgeoning desire to defend the rights of girls and women. Tension builds amid threats to Malala and her father; eventually, -the day came when he could not protect her.- Maslo uses a limited palette of red and blue to dramatic effect, and she opts for an abstract representation of the Taliban-s attempt on Malala-s life: over several pages, a bulletlike blast of black on red morphs into choppy blue waters, a waterfall, and a cluster of soaring birds, signaling Malala-s recovery. An author-s note and timeline of Yousafzai-s life close out this visually poetic addition to the growing collection of children-s books about this activist. Ages 4-8. Agent: Rubin Pfeffer, Rubin Pfeffer Content. (Jan.)

PreS-Gr 2 This straightforward chronicle of one exceptional girl's fearless efforts to pursue her education presents the true story of Malala Yousafzai, who believes that "one child, one teacher, one pen, and one book can change the world." When Yousafzai is born, her parents proudly name her after a Pashtun heroine. From a very young age, she dreams of being free like the colorful kites her brothers fly from the roof. Despite society's restrictions, Yousafzai's father refuses to clip her wings. They both become advocates for education for girls. The Taliban brings war into the Swat Valley and tries to silence Yousafzai (Maslo does not include details of how she is injured). The brave girl wakes up in the hospital in England and after recovering, continues to speak out for "those without a voice." Maslo's acrylic-and-ink illustrations portray Yousafzai, her family, and friends in a graphic novellike style. She uses color and shadow effectively to create suspense and emotion. In one evocative picture, Yousafzai flies free over the mountains surrounded by vibrant kites and birds. An informative author's note and time line provide additional facts about this champion's life. VERDICT Timeless in its message, this biography is a fine addition to nonfiction collections. Linda L. Walkins, Saint Joseph Preparatory High School, Boston