But she finds out the hard way that the smallest of incidents can derail dreams. And that life isn't fair. Especially when the local landlord uses his money and power to suffocate hope.
Amal understands there are rules in her world, but she doesn't always realise the cost she might face if she breaks them. Her belief in her rights leads to misfortune after misfortune.
Even when she recognises the dangers, her wish for freedom and justice push her to act, regardless of the consequences.
Aisha Saeed has created an authentic story about what could still be happening in remote Pakistani villages today.
By doing so, she let me feel the chill of absolute dread when Amal's landlord unleashed.
I was terrified by Amal's foolhardy bravery even as I hoped she would not walk away from the chance to set her difficult world right.
Amal Unbound is a keeper for anyone who wants to know what it's like to live under tyrannical control in a small village. But more than that, Amal Unbound is a powerful page-turner about one girl's courage in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Title: Amal Unbound
Author: Aisha Saeed
Publisher: Text Publishing, $16.99
Publication Date: 28 May 2018
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781925773026
For ages: 11+
Type: Middle Grade Fiction
