This book was not one I had planned to write—but current events made it impossible not to. Many people around the world have supported me and my cause, and I am grateful that my voice carries so far.
First and foremost, I am honored that these girls and women have shared their stories with me and allowed me to share them with you. I have learned the power of storytelling through my activism and my previous books, and to be able to tell their stories along with mine is a gift.
This book is made of many different parts, and a lot of people helped put it all together:
Philippa Lei, Farah Mohamed, Hannah Orenstein, Maria Qanita, Bhumika Regmi, Taylor Royle, Tess Thomas, McKinley Tretler, and the entire Malala Fund team present and past (including Eason Jordan, Meighan Stone, and Shiza Shahid).
Malala Fund’s partners who facilitated our work with many of the girls in this book: Amira Abdelkhalek, Holly Carter, Anne Dolan, Stephanie Gromek, Susan Hoenig, and Jérôme Jarre (and Muhammed Zubair).
Liz Welch, who helped get all the stories onto the page, no matter what time of day or night it was in her time zone.
Farrin Jacobs, who wanted to publish this book as much as I did. Thank you for giving so much of your time and dedication.
Karolina Sutton, my literary agent, who is small but mighty.
Megan Tingley, Katharine McAnarney, Sasha Illingworth, Jen Graham, and the rest of the team at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; David Shelley, Jenny Lord, Katie Espiner, Sarah Benton, Helen Richardson, Tom Noble, Katie Moss, and Holly Harley at Orion Books; Tanya Malott and Brandon Stanton.
I am lucky to have a supportive family, without whom I never would’ve had the courage to speak up in the first place.
The people I have met in the UK have shown me such kindness—from doctors to teachers to all of my friends—and helped me settle into this country.
My family and I were fortunate enough to be welcomed into homes when we were displaced within Pakistan, and we were not alone: Residents of the surrounding areas opened their doors to hundreds of thousands of people forced to flee. The people who hosted IDPs from Swat and the people, like Jennifer and Farah, who are supporting refugees and displaced persons now represent the best of humanity. I am grateful to them, and I am grateful to you for picking up this book and making sure that the stories of Zaynab, Sabreen, Muzoon, Najla, María, Analisa, Marie Claire, Ajida, and Farah will not be overlooked.