This beautiful book is just as lovely as its gorgeous cover. Told in a very clear, straight-forward style, the Pakistani main character is extremely likable and relatable, even though her circumstances will be incredibly unfamiliar for many readers. Rich in culture, thought-provoking, and a wonderful introduction to the topic of girls' access to education around the world, among many other things.

Amal loves to go to school and help out her teacher, unlike her friend Hafsa who gets miffed when class lets out late. Hafsa and Amal plan to leave their small town near Lahore and go to college some day, and Amal wants to be a teacher. However, when her mother has her fifth daughter, she falls into a depression and even with the help of the family housekeeper, Parvin, there is too much work to be down. Amal must stay home from school to do the laundry and cooking. When she is in the market, enjoying the time away from the house, she buys a pomegranate as a treat for herself. On the way home, she is hit by a car, and instead of apologizing, the occupant takes away her pomegranate! Amal grabs the fruit back and leaves after a few terse words, not realizing that she is crossing Jawad Sahib, who loans money to local families and exacts horrible consequences if not repaid quickly. Since her father owes money to Jawad after some bad years with the family farm, Jawad decides to take Amal to his estate to work as a maid in repayment. Her father assures her that this will only be for a month of so, and Amal is fortunate that she is to work for Jawad's mother, Nasreen Baji, who is kinder than many employers would be. Still, she is given trouble by Nabila, who was Nasreen Baji  maid but was demoted after making mistakes, and she quickly begins to realize that she will not be going home soon. She tries to make the best of the situation, and with the help of the other servants, borrows books from the house library. Because Jawad's father is running for political office, the family has built a literacy center in Amal's town, and the Ministry of Education has staffed it, but no one will go, not wanting to owe the family anything. Amal is forced to attend but is very happy to be taught about computers by the teacher, Asif. When Jawad's evil doings finally catch up with him, Amal is able to give vital clues to the authorities and break the family's hold over her town. 

Strengths: We need more books about how young people in other countries live, and I would hvae adored this as a middle school student. The details of what school and family life are like for Amal are wonderfully depicted, and her close knit, extended family is supportive and caring. Having markets in both the town and in Lahore described is fascinating, and the family wedding and attendant parties adds even more cultural depth. Amal's plight, and her reactions to it, are realistically portrayed, and her impulsive behavior has both good and bad consequences. There are so many wonderful levels of things happening in this book, and there is an overall upbeat feel that will help young readers process the traumatic experiences that Amal has. Notes in an afterword discuss the plight of indentured servants in today's societies. 
Weaknesses: It seems a little unrealistic that Amal would be able to bring Jawad to justice, but it does make for a great story!
What I really think: I need books like this set in lots of different countries! Every day life for children 11-14, with details about food, clothing, school, families and so many other things! Reading this type of book, as well as historical fiction, is a great way for young readers to understand that the entire world is not exactly the way their little corner of it is!

Oh what a powerful story about individual strength, and handling one's circumstances. I think this is a needed story just to add a bit more empathy to the world.

Realistic contemporary novel set in a small village in Pakistan, from the point of view of Amal. Amal is an admirable heroine, likable, smart, brave, forgiving and determined. 

After speaking back to the son a wealthy family, she is taken into servitude until her Father can repay his debts to the family. Cruel and unfair, especially for strong-willed, knowledge-hungry Amal, who slowly realizes that her freedom and possible future as a teacher has been stolen away from her.

I read this in one sitting, it was gripping and realistic, dark, but not too dark for young readers. More young adult, but suitable for mature middle grade readers.

*I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley*
This is a book that is so prevalent and needed so that students can understand different cultures and lives around the world. 
Amal just wants to learn and be a teacher one day, but in a turn of events at the market she is sent to be a servant on the estate of the family who runs the lands. She things she will be able to leave once her father pays off his debts, but she soon learns that might be harder than it seems. 
Saeed's descriptions and how she brings to life so fully Amal's life had me staying up late just to know what was going to happen to Amal. 
"I removed the metal top and took a sip of the frosty drink- the fizzy bubbles reminded me on my sisters' laughter." 
I like that line and how it lets you see how much Amal is missing her family. Amal is a strong character and one among many that students need to read about.

Amal is the eldest daughter of four in a small Pakistani village. Her father is a sugar cane farmer and proud owner of a modest property. Amal loves nothing more than to read and share ideas with her teacher. She too aspires to be a teacher someday. When Amal’s mother gives birth to another daughter, Amal can sense her disappointment. Amal is forced to leave school to help run the household as her mother suffers from debilitating postpartum depression. One day Amal travels to the market to get a break from her daily routine. A minor traffic accident and Amal’s response to it begins a chain of events that change her life forever.

“Amal Unbound” is a swift tale of courage in the face of injustice. From patriarchy to indentured servitude, from social class to political corruption, “Amal Unbound”  addresses each with relatable and accessible text. When Amal discovers information that will surely condemn her abusive landlord she decides to divulge it to her teacher. He tells her that she is brave, she dismisses his comment, to which he replies, “You always have a choice. Making choices even when they scare you because it’s the right thing to do--that’s bravery.”

Extension: Amal enjoys the poetry of Iqbal and Rumi. She also read the biography of Benazir Bhutto. Read selections from the poets and research Prime Minister Bhutto’s life to learn more about the region and culture. -- Highly Recommended.

Amal Unbound is one of those books that will stay with you LONG after you read it. It is about rebelling, choosing right even when it isn't the easy decision and seeing that actions have consequences both good and bad. 
Aisha Saeed has done an incredible job of telling the story of those not told often enough. The book is realistic fiction for many and one that will touch your heart and empower you. This book is certain to be a stand out in 2018.

What a great book to show the power of one. I look forward to adding to my classroom library once published.

Amal Unbound is about a girl named Amal living in a small community in Pakistan.  She is the oldest of five girls.  She realizes her parents desperately wanted her newest sister to be a boy after her mom falls into a postpartum depression, and Amal is left to run the household in her place.  Because her father pulled her out of school to help with the family, Amal is angry.  She gets herself into trouble when she talks back to a landlord, and is taken from her family to pay their debt as an indentured servant in his house.  This makes her even more angry, and frightened she will never have her freedom, her family, or her education, which she so desperately longs for.  Amal must find a way to  continue her education and find the strength within herself to go on.

What I liked about this book was that Amal found a way to stay strong and find a way to go on, despite the most desperate of situations.  When it seemed like she would never have what she desired- an education, her family, and her freedom- she found a way to stay positive and carry on.  Readers will hopefully see that despite the hardships we face, including times where we cannot control what happens to us, we have to hold on to hope, as well as find inner strength to carry on and make the most of a situation.  I also appreciate that Amal's goal in life was to get an education and become a teacher.  Finally, at the end of the book, there is a blurb on Malala, a role model and cheerleader for women everywhere, particularly in countries where educating women is not a priority.

What I didn't like about this book was that it was a frustrating reality.  Although Pakistan is a country that is changing, indentured servitude is something that exists.  We take our freedom and right to education for granted here in America.  I hope this opens the eyes of my students so they realize how lucky they are to have books at their fingertips and the opportunity to learn, despite being female or poor.

This lovely story about Amal tells about a girl in Pakistan struggling to find her place in a changing society.  She has a strong voice that sometimes gets her in trouble but she perseveres.  Kids are going to love this book and this character.

This is such an important, life changing book for so, so many people. I cannot wait for it to be published so I can talk it up to EVERYONE.