When young Iqbal is sold into slavery at a carpet factory, his arrival changes everything for the other overworked and abused chidren there. It is...
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reviews
Jul 26, 2010
S10_Matthew
rated it: 
Iqbal is a story about a bunch of young children escaping from captivity in Pakistan. While I have read numerous rousing escape stories in which cunning kids use their ingenuity to trick their evil masters, Iqbal had a new spin on this idea. The book is told from the perspective of Fatima, a young child who is enslaved to make rugs for her master Hussein Khan, until her debt is repaid. All of the children who work under Hussein Khan have this similar debt that must be repaid.
Iqbal a More...
Iqbal a More...
Jun 13, 2010
Linda
rated it:
When finishing a book such as this, I'm reminded why I love to read! Books open a world of information and a few pages of a previous unknown subject can lead to the craving to learn more and more and more.
Iqbal is a fictionalized novel based on a real-life young man who made a tremendous difference in Pakistan and drew a bright light on the dark, dirty, despicable issue of child slave labor.
Iqbal Masih was a child slave sold by his mother to pay family debts. It was not uncom More...
Iqbal is a fictionalized novel based on a real-life young man who made a tremendous difference in Pakistan and drew a bright light on the dark, dirty, despicable issue of child slave labor.
Iqbal Masih was a child slave sold by his mother to pay family debts. It was not uncom More...
Jun 13, 2010
Linda
rated it:
When finishing a book such as this, I'm reminded why I love to read! Books open a world of information and a few pages of a previous unknown subject can lead to the craving to learn more and more and more.
Iqbal is a fictionalized novel based on a real-life young man who made a tremendous difference in Pakistan and drew a bright light on the dark, dirty, despicable issue of child slave labor.
Iqbal Masih was a child slave sold by his mother to pay family debts. It was not uncom More...
Iqbal is a fictionalized novel based on a real-life young man who made a tremendous difference in Pakistan and drew a bright light on the dark, dirty, despicable issue of child slave labor.
Iqbal Masih was a child slave sold by his mother to pay family debts. It was not uncom More...
Jul 01, 2011
Emilie
rated it: 
A fictional account of Iqbal Masih's life, this book addresses the problem of child labor in Pakistan. Props to the author for choosing to write about such an important topic.
Although this is a book for young readers, I think it could have been better, and is possibly attempting to protect readers from getting too emotionally involved with the story. The narrator, Fatima, a young girl who works at the same carpet factory as Iqbal, is a flat character who merely acts as a lens through More...
Although this is a book for young readers, I think it could have been better, and is possibly attempting to protect readers from getting too emotionally involved with the story. The narrator, Fatima, a young girl who works at the same carpet factory as Iqbal, is a flat character who merely acts as a lens through More...
Nov 03, 2009
Ali
rated it: 
"Iqbal" is about children living in Pakistan who are forced to work in a carpet making factory as slaves. Most of them are forced to work because their parents or family members are in debt, so they must work to pay it off. The main character is Iqbal. When he is put into the rug factory, he is an expert. When his first carpet is finished, everyone is astounded. It's the most beautiful thing anyone has ever seen. Then, abruptly, he takes a knife and cut it up into pieces right in front
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Feb 17, 2011
Barky
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Jul 14, 2010
Jonathan
rated it:
This is fascinating historical fiction based on a real person who changed not just the child labor laws in Pakistan but the loves of hundreds of children who were forced into slave labor.
The setting for this piece is unusual- most of it takes place in a clandestine rug factory where children are chained to their looms. The plot is fairly straight forward- courageous boy inspires others to break their chains and fight for a better life. The theme is typical for this type of tale- do More...
The setting for this piece is unusual- most of it takes place in a clandestine rug factory where children are chained to their looms. The plot is fairly straight forward- courageous boy inspires others to break their chains and fight for a better life. The theme is typical for this type of tale- do More...
Dec 22, 2008
Adil
rated it:
Adil Kolenovic 12/22/08
Mr. Nourok Writing Arts 9
Iqbal
You can’t judge a book by its cover and that also goes for the book “Iqbal” too. The title may sound outlandish and strange from its name, but it’s actually an excellent book. The thing that’s great about this book is that it’s written in a calm and relaxed tone and quickly becomes tense during a significant scene. The story just unfolds in your hands and all you have to do is read it. The plot is set up pe More...
Mr. Nourok Writing Arts 9
Iqbal
You can’t judge a book by its cover and that also goes for the book “Iqbal” too. The title may sound outlandish and strange from its name, but it’s actually an excellent book. The thing that’s great about this book is that it’s written in a calm and relaxed tone and quickly becomes tense during a significant scene. The story just unfolds in your hands and all you have to do is read it. The plot is set up pe More...
Jul 14, 2010
Euna
rated it:
Based on the true accounts of a real life hero, Iqbal Masih, "Iqbal" leaves the reader captivated by the heroic young children of the book and saddened by the existence of child bondage and slavery. The most compelling element of the book was evidently the characters. The tribulations of each child told through the eyes of Fatima and his heroic escape from bondage in the carpet factory inspires any reader who can feel the pain as the children face abuse, neglect and harsh exploitatio
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Nov 07, 2011
Chol
rated it:
This book talks about kids working as slavery in pakistan. More then 1 million kids working at the carpet shop, and they owner does let them go anywhere. So they try to escape and leave that place, but a lot of them did escape. One of them was iqbal he try to help all the kids in pakistan to be free, he talkS to report about his own storty and telling them a lot of kids are walking as slavery in pakistan. But soon he were murderd by easter suday 1995, in muritke, a village some thirty kilomerte
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Jul 13, 2010
Mallory
rated it:
This book was gut wrenching to read at certain points, because of the images that are created by the author's descritption. It is about a young boy from Pakistan named Iqbal. He is very brave, which also gets him into a lot of trouble. You can't help but root for this character who is a hero. You are constantly scared of what may happen to the characters. I really enjoyed reading the book and it is something I would introduce to my students who may not have a lot of knowledge about what happens
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Oct 19, 2008
Carmen
rated it: 
This is such an amazing book! I cried and laughed and was amazed at the emotion it carried.. not to mention its amazingly a true story! OMG! you all have to read it!
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Nov 17, 2010
Nick
rated it:
I liked this so much because this guy named Iqbal Mashi was a courageous person because he wanted to make signs that said free kids from child labor and he left and tried to get away as far as possible and see if his request was agreed meaning he could make it. This book was about this boy named Iqbal and he was in child labor with his owner Hussian Khan. The slaves had to make rugs as perfect as they possibly can or else the owner will lock you up in tomb. The other reason I liked this book is
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Apr 06, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
My son's 5th grade social studies teacher recommended this book to me during our recent PT Conference. It is amazing! I love that it's based on the life of a real person.
It is admittedly a book with an agenda, but a very good one--to raise awareness of modern child laborers. The story is about child carpet workers in Pakistan, and about a very brave one in particular who risks his life to change the status quo.
The "very brave one" is the real person of the story: Iqbal Ma More...
It is admittedly a book with an agenda, but a very good one--to raise awareness of modern child laborers. The story is about child carpet workers in Pakistan, and about a very brave one in particular who risks his life to change the status quo.
The "very brave one" is the real person of the story: Iqbal Ma More...
Jul 13, 2010
Angie
rated it:
I enjoyed this novel. It is a fictional story of a real Pakistani boy, Iqbal, that was able to escape from bondage in a carpet factory and join the fight in helping free other children subjected to this type of slavery. This is a story of hope and courage to stand up for what is right no matter the cost. I think students will enjoy the story but also be interested in researching what is currently going on in terms of child labor. The book offers a number of websites that one can use to resea
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Jun 08, 2009
Verdi
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It was about a slave, a boy named Iqbal who came to a carpet factory one day to work after his other masters sold him. He slashed up a carpet with a knife he used for his work; he was trying to rebel against the owners of the carpet factory. He escaped along with all the other child slaves (and only one knew how to read) working in the factory and so then he became leader of a group of people who fight against child labor. It's a true story.
It made me feel like children have powe More...
It made me feel like children have powe More...
Sep 14, 2010
Cameling
rated it:
When one hears of courageous acts, or determined plans to help others, one often thinks of adults in the role. Not because children are selfish or weak, but more because we think of children as innocent, care-free and to be protected.
So when children are in danger, one expects the saviors to be fiercely determined adults. This book, narrated though through the voice of a fictitious girl, sheds some light onto an amazing child, who took the world by storm in his determination to prote More...
So when children are in danger, one expects the saviors to be fiercely determined adults. This book, narrated though through the voice of a fictitious girl, sheds some light onto an amazing child, who took the world by storm in his determination to prote More...
May 31, 2010
Notorious
rated it:
Iqbal Masih, a true martyr and real hero, proved to the world that age truly is just a number. Coming from a region where it is normal to sacrifice children in efforts to pay off family debts, Iqbal refused to settle for this life.
Iqbal, a fictional novel narrated by Fatima, a child slave owned by Hassan Khan to work in his carpet factory. Life at the carpet factory was the same routine daily until Iqbal arrived. On the outside he looked like a regular Pakastani child servant sold More...
Iqbal, a fictional novel narrated by Fatima, a child slave owned by Hassan Khan to work in his carpet factory. Life at the carpet factory was the same routine daily until Iqbal arrived. On the outside he looked like a regular Pakastani child servant sold More...
Feb 07, 2010
Vaishali
rated it:
The book is about a young child "Iqbal" who was amongst the millions of children who were "bonded" to their "masters" of either brick factories or carpet factories in Pakistan. Working for their "masters" in these facories meant to be a way to pay the debt or grant the land back to their parents. They lived in a ruthless condition, abused and overworked. Their lives were limited to the small room tied with a loom where these carpets were woven. These littl
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Nov 06, 2011
Mara
rated it:
Iqbal is a very quick read - 120 pages long. It was very interesting and heart-wrenching at the same time, for while it's told from a fictional girl's point of view, it's a true story nonetheless and thousands of children are still enslaved like the ones in Iqbal around the world. And if you already know the story of Iqbal, then you already know that the book has a bittersweet ending. But I would encourage people to read it. It is considered juvenile fiction, but anyone of any age would enjoy it
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Mar 02, 2011
Kelsey
rated it:
This story had a poignant message that I think is beneficial for young middle schoolers to start being exposed to. It discusses the plight of Pakistani children at a time when child labor was especially rampant. For the students who read it (recommended for 6th grade), they will come away with a better global perspective of what life is like for other children their age in a different part of the world. It is wonderfully well-written, was an engaging and intriguing read, and has numerous importa
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Apr 06, 2009
Johnny
rated it:
I love this book. The theme of how one slave boy stead up to the master with out fear and fought back the way he can. For a kib his a age it is amazing how he still has the courage to stand up for the freedom of the kids in the slavery group and his self after all that has happened to him. This shows the kid has to much pride to give up now. This book is a very shocked and proud moment book. There are ups and downs and twist and turns every chapter you read. I recommend this book.
Mar 11, 2011
Beate
rated it:
This a whole school read at our local Middle School this year. As my son was not a fan, I decided to read it so I would be able to discuss the story with my son. An easy read, I believe a 6th grade level, it touches on the slave trade of children, and the strength of the human spirit/survival and escape. You could easily read this in an afternoon, but it does bring out global themes. I would probably give this book a 3.5, if I was allowed to.
Nov 30, 2011
Maryana
rated it:
For those who enjoyed and were inspired by "The Boy Who Dared" - this book is for you. Another well written and well researched tale about a short but heroic and meaningful life. Though this time, the issues confronted may be a little closer to home. Again some scenes may be too graphic for younger readers, but when writing about child labour, such description is hard to avoid and the author treats these scenes with an awareness of his audience.
Dec 04, 2008
Brittney. Break my heart why dont ya
rated it:
This is the most saddest and most memerable books I have ever read.Iqbal is truely a hero and certentaly will never ever be forgotten. Most of us cant even dream about what he had been through. It was all over for him just with a shoot of a gun. It wasnt that long ago. He is truely a hero that everyone should look up to. Slavery. This book goes through all of the horrible event that Iqbal was in. This book should defintaly be a movie.
Jun 30, 2011
Juanita
rated it:
It about a boy. Who work at a young age and it called child labor and it not good because they will do it in till they die. So to make it short at the end of the book Iqbal died at my age 13 years old and they did not find his kill. But I think he find now but he was kill in front of his grandma house. I enjoyed reading about it I think the people who read about my review should read the book it good. The reason I gave you a Short story so I will not tell the hole story. I think the people s
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Nov 29, 2010
Mtbike40
rated it:
This was a required reading book for my daughter in 6th grade. The whole family ended up reading it during the Thanksgiving break. Iqbal provided a unique look into some of the perils that children face around the world. This was a well written story that kept you wanting to read more. The book reminded me that we must continue to look out for children, to make sure there childhood is not being taken away from them.
May 06, 2010
Anne
rated it:
Set in Pakistan where young children are used as slave labor to tie the threads on intricate carpets. This is about a true person, Iqbal Masih, who managed to escape a carpet factory and then devoted his efforts to freeing other children form similar situations, including brick factories and mines. He was murdered in 1995. This account is a fictionalized version, but based upon true events. Well-written, fast-moving.
Apr 15, 2009
Dorothy
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I finished Iqbal. It is a fictionalized account of read person. Iqbal was a 13 year-old boy from Pakistan who was sold by his parents into slavery, and he is forced to weave rugs. Some children are chained to their looms, all the children are forced to work long hours in harsh conditions. It's a sad commentary on what happens to children in other parts of the world. The book is well worth reading. His courage is inspirational.
Feb 19, 2011
Ubalstecha
rated it:
Solid, if short, novelization of Iqbal's life. While some of the events and characters are fictionalized, the story does a really good job capturing the working conditions of child labourers in Pakistan's carpet industry. By giving Iqbal friends within the factory, author D'Adamo gives young readers an ability to engage in the story. Good for helping young people understand the human cost of child labour.
