"Be inspired by courage." That's what the "Blind Date with a Book" wrapping said about this book. As a teacher, it is easy to be discouraged and overwhelmed and anything inspirational helps to move things forward in a positive way. I had to read this book based on the quote. Little did I know what I was in store for. The author had written other books about activists and so I felt confident that she would tell a good story. The author tells of Pakistani-born Iqbal Masih who received the Reebok Human Rights Youth in Action Award for his work to help free children in his country from debt-bonded labor. Iqbal is one of millions of children in other countries who work as slaves weaving carpets and making other exported goods. The author includes a two page bibliography of notes for each chapter and sources of information. The author also includes a list of organizations around the world who deal with child labor laws. The text is separated into three parts with various chapters. The first part introduces the reader to Iqbal Masih and children as debt-laborers and progresses to tell about those who are standing up to and fighting against child slavery. This was truly an inspirational story of courage. I felt the need to be sure I'm buying made in the USA products to assure I am not supporting child slavery in another country. ( )

A nonfiction photojournalist narrative on the concept of the efforts around the world to stop child slavery. Iqbal Masih, was a slave most of his young life in the carpet factories of his native Pakistan. He was sold into bondage at age 4, but as the narrative fiction about his enslaved life, simply named" Iqbal" illustrates this young salve child had a greater bravery than other children like himself.
This book covers the topic of child slavery, using Iqbal as a focal point.
As Iqbal said when he received the Reebok Award for Human Rights presented in The Prologue, " I am one of the millions of children who are suffering in Pakistan because of bonded labor and child labor. But I am lucky. Due to the efforts of The Bonded Labor Liberation Front BLLF. I am free and I am standing in front of you here today. "
The book is organized in Parts. Part One, Part Two and Part Three.
Part One is entitled Modern Slavery and the New Abolitionists
Chapter One is all about Iqbal's life and is the inspiration for the fictional book about his child enslavement.
This details the machinations of Pakistani child slavery. It includes all those who benefit off the slavery of these innocent children. It include many moving picture of the circumstance Iqbal and and his fellow slaves endured.
Chapter Two is about the carpet weaving slaves and what they endure. It explains how they are sold or kidnapped into the work. A story of the slaves called carpet Children of Thar, is told by a canadian Human Rights Activist. If not for this Activist going into nether regions these children would never have been freed. Chapter 3 explains the modern form of slavery, the beedi roller, the brick maker, the silversmiths. A heartbreaking phot can be found on every page. On page 34 there is list of Myths that must be dispelled so that children will not be enslaved to make carpets. This list includes the "Children are well suited for certain kinds of woerk because of their nimble fingers."
Chapter Four called Glass Houses illustrates with photos on every page the child labor in America.
Chapter Five is about the man who saved Iqbal's life, a brave college educated journalist who endured much hardship after making many sacrifices to bring freedom to the slave children of Pakistan
Ehsan Ullah Khan began this organization with his own money, endured twelve prison stints , including being jailed for six months in the Shall Killa prison of Fort Lahore. His organization was joined by others like India's Bonded Liberation Front, The South Asian Coalition on Child Servitude. On page 48 there is a diagram laying out the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations.
Chapter Six named " we Demand an End to Slavery" includes evocative pictures of children fighting for their rights The photo on page 54 is my favorite where beautiful children looking quite serious are carrying a sign that teaches adults wisdom. Replace child workers with millions of unemployed adults.
Part Two is entitled Emancipation Chapter 8 illustrate how we in America can stop world wide child labor. It begins with a quote from Senator Tom Harkin " The United State must not import any products made by child labor. Period. This chapter lists on page 66 the Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) that fight unjust child labor. The rest of this part speaks about the freedom and activism of this extraordinary little boy.
Iqbal was martyred for his efforts against slavery on April 16, 1995. The murderers waited for him to be alone enjoying time with his cousins and shot al three boys. Only Iqbal died. 800 mourners showed up to his funeral at a christian burial site.
Part II is entitled Reconstruction It was only four months after Iqbal visited the Meadows School in Massachusetts. His death rallied American children to fight against child slavery Children around the world Pick up the Banner. In this last chapter there are 8 pages of activist groups on five continents that fight child labor.
This is an accurate book due to its 8 pages of notes that explain where the quotes and documents were located by the author. The first example is the speech by Iqbal during the Reebok award ceremony was found in the International Herald in its May issue. There is a glossary and pronunciation guide for many of the phrase used by Iqbal and his compatriots. There is also a Bibliography and Index.
I highly suggest these two books Iqubal the fiction about Fatima meeting Iqbal and this book be presented to students at the same time. ( )

A very good book about a leader against child slavery. Iqbal Masih was likened to Abraham Lincoln. The book is organized for middle and high school students. The book does a good job in introducing its audience about the slave-laborer's, emancipation, and Reconstruction. Iqbal Masih was a hero whose life influenced many of his people (especially) the youth just like him to end slavery. ( )

This is a biography describing Iqbal Masih's life in Pakistan. Readers will learn why he worked in a carpet factory as a child, how he fought to become free, and then how he freed other children from child labor before his murder. ( )

Iqbal Masih lived a short life, but accomplished more than most people. He started off as a child slave in Pakistan and journey across the world to tell his story. His life has an abrupt ending, but his story lives on. My favorite part of the book is what some students do after Masih's death to honor him. This nonfiction volume does more than detail child slavery, it teaches readers that they can change the world no matter how old they are.

Susan Kuklin has indexed her book well, which makes it easy to use in classrooms. She also has included a bibliography and an excellent "Where to Learn More" section. This section makes it easy for readers to get involved with Masih's cause. ( )