Amal Unbound is an award winning novel that tells the story of a young girl growing up in Pakistan who is forced into indentured servitude. This book is a valuable resource for students and teachers to examine social injustices in Pakistan and around the world.
Having students choose a favorite quote or scene from the book allows them to express which parts of the story resonated with them on a personal level. In this way, students are making a text-to-self connection that demonstrates their understanding of the characters and their development or the themes of the novel. Students can share their storyboards afterwards and have a short discussion about what the quotes mean to them.
Storyboard Text
FAVORITE QUOTE in AMAL UNBOUND by Aisha Saeed
Amal makes many courageous choices throughout the course of the novel, from standing up to Jawad Sahib after he hits her with his car, to her final act of resistance in giving crucial information to her teacher so that Jawad Sahib will be arrested. She risks herself and her family to bring him to justice. She tells her teacher that she is acting because she doesn't have a choice. He reminds her that her actions are a choice, even if she is scared. She chooses to act because she knows that to stay silent would be wrong, despite the risks to herself. That is true courage.
"You always have a choice. Making choices even when they scare you because you know it's the right thing to do - that's bravery."
“I'm not brave, I'm terrified. I just don't have a choice.”