Iqbal

Iqbal is a book about bonded labour. It is about Pakistani children Iqbal, Fatima and fourteen other children. They have been sent out to work to pay off the debt, which their family owe to the unkind and evil Hassan Khan. Hassan Khan tricks these children. Their job is to weave carpets day in and day out. Each child has a slate with lines on it. They have to work hard each day for these lines to be rubbed off. These lines represent the money they owe. Hassan Khan tricks the children. He kept on adding more lines because he knew that they couldn't count. Every day he would inspect, if the children were naughty or the carpet wasn't good enough to sell. He would lock them in the dreaded tomb where snakes, cockroaches and scorpions lived. All kids were chained to their looms. This continued until Iqbal came into the workshop. Iqbal wasn't very tall and was shabby but he was very talented and brave. He knew that Hassan Khan was cheating them and wanted to get away. He taught the kids that what Hassan Khan was doing was wrong and to fight back. Unfortunately Iqbal was murdered by the carpet mafia on Easter Sunday 1995. He was only 13. Iqbal gave the kids courage and hope to get back to their families. I thought that this book was touching and was an eye opener to what the world around you is like. You are so protected in your environment that sometimes you don't realize what is happening in this world and when you find out what actually happens you are shocked to discover that there are kids out there who have to work really hard to survive. When you read Iqbal you can understand why they want to get away. One thing I have noticed is that when you read Iqbal you feel like you are a spy in the background watching everything that is happening. Or you are re-tracing the footsteps of the children. The way that D'Adamo has written this novel you almost feel like you are going through those hardships as well and you are celebrating the successes that they had. It is a wonderful book and it makes you feel tearful. By: Rima (New Zealand)

My sister and I both cired when we read this. This book is about a very brave and determined boy named Iqbal and I really admire his courage. This is a book that will touch your soul and will make you cry and also, spread a wonderful message.

"Iqbal and Fatimah are forced to work for a cruel man in a Pakistani sweatshop. They are not paid and it does not look like they, nor any of their friends, will ever be released. Thus, Iqbal takes things into his own hands and escapes so that he can show the world what is going on. Based on a true story, this shows what can happen when one person makes a stand." (summary from Lone Star List 2005-06, TX Library Association)

Iqbal was a boy who had to work in a factory owned by a really mean ugly old guy who was really strict and didn't treat the kids well, more like slaves. Iqbal had to work there to pay off his parent's debt. He knew he would never get out of there, so he stood up for what he believed in. Iqbal inspired other kids to do the same as well. He got so famous that today it is illegal to have child laborers. It's really sad, but it's a really good book. :)

A powerful book about a young boy from Pakistan who was influential in freeing children from slavery in the carpet trade. Translated from Italian, this book is a fast, easy read. It is an eye opener for those who are unaware of child bondage. It will also create in young readers the realization that great things can be accomplished by youth.