The Carpet Boy's Gift

by Pegi Deitz Shea, Leane Morin (Illustrator)

Yearning for freedom and schooling for himself and the other children who toil in a carpet factory in Pakistan to repay loans from the factory owner to their parents, Nadeem is inspired by a former carpet boy named Iqbal Masih to lead the way.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Historical Fiction

38 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sold by his parents to the owners of a carpet factory for a loan of 1,000 rupees, Nadeem was a bonded laborer, forced - together with many other children - to work from sun up to sun down every day, in a dark workshop choked with wool dust. Longing to breathe the fresh air, and feel the sun on his face, to play soccer with his little brother Hakim, and most of all, to go to school, Nadeem lived for the day when his family's debt, their peshgi, was paid back. But how would that day ever come, when the Master kept finding ways of fining him (thereby increasing the peshgi), every time he got too close? Could Iqbal, a young boy and former bonded laborer whom Nadeem met at a protest march, have the answer? If it was true, as Iqbal claimed, that bonded labor was illegal, why did no one stop the Master? And what could Nadeem do...?

This fictionalized account of a bonded child laborer incorporates the story of the real-life figure of Iqbal Masih - a young Pakistani boy who was sold into bonded labor as a carpet weaver at age four, escaped at age ten, became an international spokesperson on the issue for the Bonded Labour Liberation Front, and was assassinated at age twelve - and presents some very difficult realities in a sensitive but honest way for young readers. Iqbal's murder factors in the plot of The Carpet Boy's Gift, and Pegi Deitz Shea is to be commended for not glossing over the heartbreaking reality of the situation, while still providing hope, with the conclusion of her tale. With a moving story, beautifully complemented by Leane Morin's lovely illustrations, and extensive notes at the rear, that give further information and ideas about how young readers can get involved, this is a book that I highly recommend!

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book touched me deeply, and it deeply disturbed me, as I’m sure it is meant to do.

First off I want to say that in the back of this book there is an extraordinary and incredibly useful section of resources: books, websites, organization, all devoted to helping the reader learn what they can do to help, to make a difference. I was very grateful for the included information. Any readers, child or adult, can choose at least one more thing they can do to improve conditions for children who are forced to work before they should have to do so.

This is a historical fiction story, based on a real Pakistani boy who escaped the carpet factories and was an activist for other children, encouraging them to leave their slave laboring and go to school, but who was murdered for his efforts. He’s a peripheral character in this story. The main children characters reap the benefits he reveals to them.

The circumstances in this story are so horrific and disturbing that I recommend this only for older children. It tells of children as young as four years old and children of all ages who’ve been sold to a master, who has them working as slaves. I personally would not introduce this book until children are in fourth grade. Fourth through sixth grade children can handle this information, and will hopefully be inspired to take action. They might also appreciate their life as a school student more when they’ve read about how other children long to go to school.

I didn’t love the art but the illustrations do fit the book very well, and I did very much appreciate some of them.

I felt completely wrung out after reading the story and, even though the story has a partly happy ending, the extra material at the end is really necessary to avoid sinking into despair.

Another worthy offering from the wonderful publisher Tilbury House.

[Patricia Tilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pegi Deitz Shea writes a very important story about the power of children working together to end child labor in Pakistan. Her fictional story honors the legacy of a boy, Iqbal Masih, who risked his own life to free children from slavery so that they could attend school. Iqbal escaped from a factory and attended a rally held by the Bonded Labour Liberation Front (BLLF), an organization working to help bonded children. He began to sneak into hundreds of rug factories so he could educate the other kids about their rights. He became famous worldwide. Leane Morin’s illustrations are beautiful watercolors that show a lot of emotion and are unique. Each photo has a border with a special design –like a carpet border.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the picture book story of the boy described in Francesco D'Adamo's children's novel Iqbal, about the boy in Pakistan who was murdered for trying to fight child labor.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching story about enslaved children working in a carpet factory who meet Iqbal Masih, a real boy who once worked in such a factory and escaped to become a crusader against child slavery.

[Anna Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about the dangers and damages of illegal child labor. Written for children with illustrations by children about real issues. Like abuses in the past, if no one stands up for the injustices to stop and create better living standards nothing will change.
The back includes information for the reader to take actions both big and small to work towards that better future.

[Mona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iqbal Masih is a boy who dared to fight not only for his own life but for the kids who are working in Pakistan. He would sneak into different factories to educate children about their rights to learn and have a decent life. He emphasizes the importance of bonding their power to fight this injustice life and seek a better future.

[Eleanor Friar]

crazy cuh

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

We think we have come so far in human rights and child protection, and then we hear something like this. This story was inspired by the true story of Iqbal Masih from Pakistan. Nadeem is enslaved with other children in a carpet factory. He is inspired to help himself and the other children in the factory when he meets Iqbal who tells him he is free, that child slavery was made illegal. Like the main character, Iqbal was bonded by his parents to a carpet maker, forced to work twelve hour days for six years under terrible conditions. He escaped and began working to help other children learn their rights. In 1995 at the age of twelve, Iqbal was shot while riding his bike home one day. The book contains information in the back on Iqbal's life, his work and the work of other child advocates, the United Nations and "The Rights of the Child" and more about child labor issues.

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The inspiring fictional story of young carpet-slaves in Pakistan who follow in the footsteps of Iqbal Masih, the young boy who became the face and voice of the international movement to end child slavery. Tragically Iqbal was assassinated at the age of 12, but as this book attests, his legacy and his legend live on. (I get chills whenever I think of Iqbal.) Also contains an excellent afterward with more information about Iqbal, a list of organizations combating child slavery and ways to help the cause.

[Christine Medunycia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has very beautiful framed illustrations. I like the story but I have to say that the idea of child labor infuriates me. This story seems to be, to me, unbelievable. The children have to take a stand; but, I am afraid for them. There is much truth in this story - it doesn't hold anything back, and for that, I like it. I looked for another book by the author but it is very hard to find.

[Buxmont Uu]

WOOW 24