Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2018). Twelve-year old Amal aspires to be a teacher in Pakistan. After unintentionally insulting a member of her village’s ruling family, that dream is sunk. As punishment, Amal is forced to leave her distraught family behind and work as an indentured servant at the Khan estate. Discovering their corruptness, Amal summons her courage and intellect to secure justice and freedom. (Grades 5-8)
Award Status: Winner, 2019
Award Category: Middle Grade Readers
Author: Aisha Saeed
Read more and purchase on the author’s website.