I am Nugood, Age 10 and Divorced is the true story of Nujood Ali (as told to Delphine Minoui).
That’s right, by the age of 10, this young girl from Yemen had been given in marriage by her own father to a man three times her age. He promised not to be with her sexually until after one year after she started her period, but he did not keep this promise. When Nujood tried to resist him, he began beating her.
After a few months, the only refuge she found was on the rare opportunity that her husband let her visit home. It was on one of these visits that she decided to try to get a divorce.
I don’t know if you like using books as I do — like a window — but this book offered a peek into Yemen and a surprising look at practices that I didn’t know still occur today. The story was not told to criticize the culture, but to shine the light on one girl’s sad story. I also appreciated the fact that while this is something that none of us can image happening to our own daughters, it wasn’t told in a sensationalist way. Most importantly, it was an inspiring look at the courage of a young girl to fight against that which she knew was wrong.
Her story has attracted worldwide attention and has been translated into 16 languages. She was named to be a Woman of the Year in 2008 by Glamour magazine, alongside others such as Hillary Clinton.
Because of her courageous act, other young girls are speaking out, and countries are even making laws to protect girls who should never be forced to marry.
In spite of a few difficult passages, this is an inspiring and eye-opening story told in Nujood’s own words. It’s a short easy read that would interest women and teens as well.
Nujood’s proceeds for the book are financing her and her sister’s education, and will hopefully help Nujood achieve her dream of becoming a lawyer so that she can help other girls.
We have three copies to give away . Just leave a comment if you’d like to enter. The winners will be announced in next Monday’s book review column.
We do not have a winner to announce, because last week’s giveaway of the Princess and Pirate Potty books (and a Target gift card!) is still open — so enter now!
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book for review purposes.
Reviewed by book blogger Jennifer Donovan, managing editor of 5 Minutes for Books and Snapshot blogger.
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{ 133 comments… read them below or add one }
I would very much like to read this book. Thanks for the opportunity.
WOW, I would love to read this book. Thank you!
This would be a very interesting and eye opening read. Thanks for the giveaway!
i’d love to read this book; i did hear about her divorce when it made headlines a while back…
I would like to read this book and learn more about this courageous girl’s story. Miki
I am beginning to work on a project that deals with a somewhat similar kind of child abuse, so this would be a fascinating read.
I would most definitely love a copy of this book. I can’t imagine having to go through what this young lady went through at such a young age.
Thanks for this post.
I would like to win this book. Thank you for this giveaway.
Oh I just have to read that book… Looks like a really important read!
Wow, powerful!! Definitely will read regardless if I win! Thanks.
Hi Janice & susan, i trekked all the way over to your site, from a recent link from Chris Brogan. That book does seem interesting ( yes, i know,i know (lol) some guys do actually read stuff like that
).
Love your site,
Fabes
I would like to read this book. Thanks for the opportunity.
This would be an interesting book to see other parts of how the world works.
this looks like an important book
I would love to read this book. It reminds me of work by Nawal El Saadawi. If you are not familiar with her, she is another great author to investigate who speaks out on this important topic.
I’d love to read this book. Thanks for the opportunity!
This would be a very good book!
I love learning about the Middle East and women’s plight in particular.
julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to win a copy for my classroom. I teach at a high school.
Very interesting! I’d love to read this book.
Your summary really caught my interest! I have a daughter who has worked in 5 different African countries and women are treated so differently there. I love to read and this book looks like one I would like to read
I would love a chance to win. Thank you.
Sounds like a great book. I would love to win. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
This sounds interesting and I’d love a chance to read this
This seems like an amazing book! If I don’t win I’m going to get it.
What a great giveaway!
Kim
The Misplaced Midwesterner
<a href="http://themisplacedmidwesterner.blogspot.com"
This is a book I would definitely be interested in reading!
This is hard to fathom in our part of the world, so Nujood’s story should speak to many. Although, I’m sure victims of child abuse could relate to her story.
would love this
Looks like it would be interesting.
Wow – I can’t imagine. Sounds like an intriguing read.
This sounds like a very interesting read.
Very interesting… unimaginable to me thankfully!
Would like to win this book
jceko77@yahoo.com
I would like to read this.
Would love to read this. Thanks!
This looks amazingly eye-opening. I’d like to win it!
This sounds really interesting, I would love to read it!
I too use books a window and love to get lost in them and read about basically everything. I would love to read this book and learn more.
ckachelmuss at gmail.com
I’d be really interested in reading her story, how sad…
I used to live in Mauritania, where child marriage isn’t as common as in Afghanistan and Yemen, but still happens. My daughter got many marriage proposals while she was between the ages of 4 and 10. A friend told of her aunt and uncle, who married off her 11 year old cousin without telling the girl, just let the man in one night. When the child screamed, he said, “I’m your husband.”
Shocking right? But what was interesting was that my friend was shocked too. Things are changing, but these things take time.
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to read this book!!!
I would be interested to read this book, as I know nothing of the culture in which this woman was raised. Thank you for this opportunity.
She certainly had courage — so many hard, hard things happening to children.
I definitely love to use books as a window. I want to read this.
Please enter me for this book. Sounds so interesting.
I would like to read this book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
This book sounds like an eye-opener and perfect for the Women Unbound challenge. Please enter me.
I would like to read this. Thank you!
Please enter me in this giveaway!
I also love to use books as a window to another world. I hope I win!
I would love to read this book!
This sounds like an intense book ~ I can’t imagine being 10 and having to face what she has!
oh, I would love to get my hands on a copy of this book.
What a brave and intelligent girl!
Sounds fascinating! Please enter me!
What a courageous girl. I cannot even begin to fathom what she went through at such a young age. She is such an inspiration.
I would absolutely love to be entered in your draw for this remarkable book. Thanks!
We would be very interested in receiving a copy of this book to read. I am sure our friends would value the opportunity to read it as well, so if we win, we’ll probably pass it on to them after we’re done too. Thanks for the chance to win.
What a touching story! I am going to have to buy this book. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks for the entry. Would definitely be eye-opening for me.
i love to read mverno@roadrunner.com
Wow. Sounds like an amazing story.
this book looks great! i just read precious the book (saphire) and i want to read this one now too!
Wow, sounds like an incredible story written by an amazing woman. Would love to win!
Wow, what an amazing story. I’m glad that because of her book, other girls are speaking out.
I just read the kite runner and really enjoyed learning about other cultures I would really like to read this book
this sounds like a very heart wrenching but good book
Would very much like to read this book!
Looks interesting. I’d like to read it.
Sounds fascinating, count me in. Thanks!
Oh I would absolutely love to read this book. I read a book called Princess about a Saudi Arabian princess a few years ago. It was eye opening, heart wrenching and phenomenal!
I would love to read this book. It isdefinately one I would enjoy and share with my other family members. Fingers crossed on this one. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
This is shocking, and unfathomable!
I would love to read this story.
This sounds like an inspiring, though not easy, read.
It anyone is looking for something similar I would recommend Infidel.
Sounds very interesting. I have a 9 year old, I can’t even imagine giving her in marriage next year.
I’d love to read this, and possibly to recommend it to my book club! Please include me in the drawing for the free book. Thanks for making us aware of it!
would love to read this….will suggest it my book discussion group…sign me up to win
I would love to read this book!!
Wow, very interesting book. I would like to win and read it
I definitely would love to read this. It will probably make me cry!
As a woman and mother to two daughters (one due on April 1st) I would love to read this book. Thank you.
Please enter me into the book give-away. I never read books unless it’s a good story. I think this is a book I would not put down until I finish reading it. I will be praying for all the children in the world. Thanks for opening my eyes.
I’d like to read this book. Thanks for the chance.
I’d like to read this amazing story, thanks.
Twitter: longwait4bella
February 23, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Wow! What a difficult story to read, I think. But it would be interesting and eye opening. Thanks for the chance to win.
This sounds like a great read :0 Thanks for the chance
I would love to read this book. Thank you for the opportunity to win one.
I would love to read this book thanks
I would love to read this book! Thanks for the chance!
This culture is fascinating how it treats its young girls. I’d love to read it.
clena at aol dot com
I would love to win this book!
Sounds like a moving book, I’d love to win it.
Sarah
SeekingHim @ gmail dot com
I would love to read this thank you for the chance to win
proudmommari83@hotmail.com
This looks like a fascinating book.
This looks like it would be a very interesting read.
The premise of the story makes my heart ache. And…it makes me angry and sad that a little girl could be treated that way. I sincerely hope she finds hope, healing, strength, and opportunity in the years ahead.
I subscribe via google reader.
Would love to read this. Thanks.
I would love to read this. I find myself complaining about my life so much and why won’t my boyfriend marry me already so this would be an eye opener.
Please enter me, this book sounds amazing.
It sounds sad and interesting at the same time!!! I would like to win this book!!!
Sounds like a sad yet good read.
The word “divorced” makes me feel heartache but to add “10″ to that!? I don’t know that I’d enjoy reading it but I believe it would be a very grounding book. I am so blessed. I just need to realize it more often.
Please enter me in your giveaway!
I love using books to gain understanding of cultures that are different than the one I am used to. This book sounds so interesting. I haven’t heard of it before but I’m definitely going to check it out.
We have issues similar to this in our school district (different country, same type of abuse). I’d love to win a copy.
Please enter me. Thanks for the chance.
I would love to read this book. It reminds me (generally) of A Thousand Splendid Suns. I’m so glad she freed herself.
wow! What a powerful story!
Sounds like an interesting read!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-am-nujood-age-10-and-divorced.html
Wow–this would be an eye opening book to read. Count me in!
WOuld love to read this. Thanks!
This looks like a fascinating read – I would love to win!
Sounds like an interesting book to read.
Sounds like a great book!
This looks like it could be a deep read and very thought provoking.
Thanks for the giveaway! Sounds like a really eye-opening book!
What a courageous little girl, she should be playing with dolls and drawing pictures not having to deal with this.
I would love to read this book. Please enter me to win.
What a remarkable yet unthinkable story. I’d love to read this book. Thanks for the possibility.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sounds like an interesting read, count me in.
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
What an amazing story. So young and so much to have endured. I would love to win a copy of this. It sounds like a great testimony of courage and strength.
This sounds so interesting! Please enter me:)
Oh my gosh. How awful. This is great to get this stroy out there!
I would love to win a copy of this!
bkwrm333 {AT} yahoo.com
This sounds like a great book! I’d love to be able to read this story.
Sounds like a very interesting book.
Yes, please enter me!
Sounds like a great book.
I would like a chance to win.
Looks really interesting! Thanks for the giveaway!
I’d love to read this, thanks for the chance!
Would like to win this for my friend Laura who likes to read
I’d like to read this book~ thank you
I’d love to read this book!
Hi. I was trying to find an on-line review of this book and came across your web-site. I can’t wait to read this book and would love to win it too!Thanks for the contest.
Cheers!!!