This little book is the compilation of a group of stories written by a fourth grade class at Veneta Elementary School. They are the fruit of a writing assignment given to them by their teacher Mrs. Chen, who uses story-writing as one of her many tools to reach into the creativity and imagination of her students.The authors of this book are friends of mine. They are all heroes in their own right. They face the struggles and challenges of being young students in a huge busy world that often seems out of control even by adults, and they face those challenges with courage, tenacity and optimism. They are learning, growing, and becoming the fine citizens of tomorrow!These students were inspired by the true life story of the Pakistani school girl Malala Yousafzai. Malala suffered great persecution and near death from a gunshot wound to her head at the hand of her persecutors, the Taliban. She was attacked for her stand and fight for the right of all children to have an education. For her courage she won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, and was the youngest person to ever win it. She is loved and admired all over the world. Her passion, strength and her courage became theirs. They realized that they do have a voice, and that what they have to communicate to their world is of great value. A young school girl fighting for education in Swat Valley, Pakistan, ignited a spark that blazes all over the planet. The students in Mrs. Chen's fourth grade class caught the fire! They recognize the courageous Malala to be a super hero.If you are one of the heroes in this book you are special indeed. You have contributed greatly to the soul of this child, and by so doing have contributed to the lives of all of us. If you are picking up this book for a quick easy read, or to pass a few idle minutes, get ready for a surprise and a blessing. This extraordinary book is a little bucket of joy! Prepare to have your own heart warmed as you catch the heart and soul of these students. They remind us of what family, friends and community are really all about. They give us a promise and a hope.
