A Girl Called Genghis Khan: How Maria Toorpakai Wazir Pretended to Be a Boy, Defied the Taliban, and Became a World Famous Squash Player

An introduction to the Pakistani athlete by the author of A Song for Cambodia describes how Maria Toorpakai Wazir was bullied and abused for participating in an all-boys squash club before her achievements were rewarded by Pakistan’s president and threatened by the Taliban. Illustrations.
Presents the life of the young Pakistanian woman who defied the Taliban by dressing as a boy, moved to Canada to train as a squash player, became one of the top fifty women players in the world, and bravely returned to Pakistan in 2017.
Meet Maria Toorpakai Wazir, a brave Pakistani girl who pursued her love of sports in spite of being taunted and beaten. When the President of Pakistan gave Maria an award for outstanding achievement, the Taliban threatened her squash club, family, and life. Forced to quit the team, she continued to practice in her bedroom every day for three years! Maria's story will inspire and empower all children . . . especially girls.
This compelling, timely, and empowering picture book introduces children to Maria Toorpakai Wazir, a Pakistani girl who braved threats from the Taliban in order to play the sport she loved. “Malik’s artwork is extraordinary, with each page displaying brilliant colors and poster-worthy images that contribute to the narrative’s overall messages of female empowerment and triumph against impossible odds. . . . this book has something for every reader.” Booklist Meet Maria Toorpakai Wazir, a Pakistani girl who loved sports and longed for the freedom that boys in her culture enjoyed. She joined a squash club to pursue her dream, and was taunted, teased, and beaten but still continued playing. Then, when Maria received an award from the President of Pakistan for outstanding achievement, the Taliban threatened her squash club, her family, and her life. Although forced to quit the team, she refused to give up. Maria kept practicing the game in her bedroom every day for three years! Her hard work and perseverance in the face of overwhelming obstacles will inspire all children.