Malala is born at dawn in 1997. She is the first child of Ziauddin Yousafzai and Tor Pekai. They live in the large city of Mingora, which spreads out across the depths of the Swat Valley in Pakistan. Their modest home is across the street from a school for girls that Ziauddin founded--the Khushal School. Malala's father is not sorry that his child is a girl, as some new fathers in their country might be. Ziauddin is very fond of his Pashtun people, but he is not as fond of some of their traditions. Ziauddin asks friends and family to throw dried fruits, candies, and coins into her cradle, as they would for a boy. Excerpted from Malala: Activist for Girls' Education by Raphaelle Frier All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.