Vote for Effie
Laura Wood
Scholastic, £6.99
ISBN: 9781407187723

Inspired by the Women’s March, this is an empowering and heart-warming story of friendship and standing up for what you believe in. Effie Kostas is the new girl in school and the only joy she finds is the cake in the canteen. One day, she arrives just in time to buy the last piece of chocolate cake. But the junior student council president jumps the queue. It is this injustice that instigates Effie’s desire to run for council president herself. This inspirational book shows girls that they can be brave, strong and (with self-belief) they can make a difference.

Angela Kent is the librarian at Four Lanes Junior School, Hampshire

I really enjoyed this book as it reminded me that no matter what anyone says to me, I should be brave enough to do anything I want.

Lillia, aged 10

Let Her Fly: A father’s journey and the fight for equality
Ziauddin Yousafzai with Louise Carpenter 
WH Allen, £14.99
ISBN: 9780753552964

The memoir is separated into sections focused on father, sons, wife and best friend, and daughter, and each touches on how Ziauddin’s upbringing, fight for equality, the Taliban and the shooting of Malala affected their lives. What strikes me the most is how love pours from every page - from Malala’s foreword to the acknowledgments at the end. Love for everyone who has been part of this journey is the driving force for what made Malala the person she is today. You are also left with a feeling of great respect for Ziauddin.

Hina Bokhari is a former teacher and journalist, and is now a Liberal Democrat councillor. She tweets at @bc_hina