Iqbal

by Francesco D'Adamo, Ann Leonori (Translator)

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 Iqbal who explains to them that despite their master's promises, he plans on keeping them as his slaves indefinetely. But it is also Iqbal who inspires the other children to look to a future free from toil...and is brave enough to show them how to get there.
This moving fictionalized account of the real Iqbal Masih is told through the voice of Fatima, a young Pakistani girl whose life is changed by Iqbal's courage.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, School, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Pakistan

122 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Francesco D'Adamo is well-known for his adult books in the tradition of Italian noir fiction. He began writing fiction for young adults to much foreign acclaim in 1999. "Iqbal" is his third novel for young adults and his first to be published in the U.S. D'Adamo lives in Milan, Italy.

Reviews

[Sarah_ E1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iqbal reminds me of Salva in ALWTW. They both had no freedom, and could not do what they desired. But had trust and confidence to do what they believed in and never gave up.

Iqbal had hope and determination that he would free the children from child labor in Pakistan, even though when he shared his thoughts, nobody believed him. 6 million of the children are worked in forced or bonded labor. In carpet making, they worked from dusk till dawn, squatting for hours having the sun beating on them, and low benches in front of their looms, breathing dust and lint. Many of them are chained to their looms. There is no time for play and little time for rest. They are not visible to the outside world. When Iqbal tore the most astonishing patterns on the carpet he made, he was sent to the Tomb for weeks where there were no food, water, or enough oxygen. Children who were forced in it said that there were spiders and mice. He almost died in it until the house of their master got him out. Nevertheless, he escaped the house at night to the city, then went back to the master's house with policemen and accused the master and mistress of exploiting children and make them work like slaves in carpet workshops or brick factories. He said that the masters are greedy and wicked and that they should be put in prison. Only someone with so much bravery would dare to even complain to the masters of the house because the consequences are horrible. The master told them that they're workers, that he pays them regularly, that there aren't any chains. And they believed him. The master also bribed them with money, and the policemen left. Iqbal was sent to the Tomb again. After that, he left again to the city and freed the children with the Bonded Labor Liberation Front of Pakistan. He fought to free most of the children bonded to labor in Pakistan and was invited to give speeches all around the world. He inspired people and they respected him.

Salva had his world flipped upside down because of the war. He did not know where his family was, and they could have just died. But Salva believed that he would find his family again. He faced so many obstacles like no resources, lions, gunshots, crocodiles, mosquitos, bees, lost of his best friend, and most importantly, the death of uncle which strengthened Salva the most. Because of his determination, he crossed the line which people would not have if they didn't have such great hope. With one step at a time, he made it through Ethiopia, Kenya, and eventually to America. But that was not the end of his journey. He wanted to start a project for Sudan. Salva shared his plan with the churches, organizations, and schools to raise enough money to build a well and a school for many of them so they don't have to walk almost a day back a forth to get water.

These people's lives are forever changed because of Iqbal and Salva's courage.

[Ti Emme Rock · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Io non ho paura" anche quel ragazzino era Iqbal. Tutti eravamo Iqbal

[Maya Palavali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good that if I had a bucket of stars, I would dump it on this book. Real rating: Infinite stars.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[arcobaleno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Questo è un romanzo importante, costruito su una storia vera, quella di Iqbal Masih, un bambino pakistano che, dopo anni di sfruttamento per la lavorazione dei tappeti, nel 1992 ha avuto il coraggio di ribellarsi al suo aguzzino per permettere di denunciare le "mafie dei tappeti". E' una bella storia di speranza che Francesco D'Adamo ha ricostruito con semplicità per lasciarne traccia, affinché il tempo non annebbi, insieme alla voce di Iqbal, quella di tutti i bambini sfruttati. Dunque un romanzo di denuncia, commosso e indignato, sul valore della libertà e della memoria che, a tutti i costi, va salvata, perché senza memoria non c'è speranza nel futuro.
Il romanzo, scritto per i ragazzi ma naturalmente rivolto tutti, continua per fortuna a essere ristampato dal 2001. Cinque stelle per il valore sociale e umano. Tre per quello letterario: la semplicità del linguaggio appiattisce, a mio parere, la narrazione e imbriglia il (mio) coinvolgimento; eppure permette, anche ai ragazzi più pigri, di procedere con facilità nella lettura (che non è un fattore da sottovalutare!).

Qui per sapere qualcosa di più su Iqbal Masih.

[Mallory Bourke · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 in this country with young children. I can honestly say it opened my eyes to the injustices that these children are faced with. I am so comfortable in my own little world that I forget there are situtaions like this one happening everyday.

[Valentina Morpurgo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Il 16 aprile 1995, veniva assassinato Iqbal Masih, un ragazzino che aveva combattuto e denunciato la "mafia dei tappeti" pakistana. Aveva 14 anni.
Questo libro va letto! Questa è la sua storia e la storia di migliaia di bambini che ancora oggi, nonostante sia proibito da una legge, vengono venduti dalle famiglie e impiegati nelle fabbriche di mattoni, di tappeti, nei mercati... È un circolo vizioso da cui interi nuclei famigliari, ridotti in povertà estrema, nn riescono a sottrarsi. Un mondo così lontano ai nostri occhi da risultare quasi impossibile.

[Neha Patel]

Amazing representation of child labor and the bravery boy who opposed it!

[stella 🍓 孔凡星 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Read: March 2019 💕First Read: April 2015

[Euna Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 exploitation.

Chapter One begins with the quote, "Yes, I knew Iqbal. I think about him often. I like to. I feel I owe it to him. You see, for Iqbal I was not invisible. I existed, and he made me free. So here is his story. As I remember it. As I knew him." Reading it again after finishing the book, it voices all the children who is affected by the heroic deeds of a young boy who wanted freedom for all. I believe this could be a great book to teach students the history of child labor laws and children's rights.

[Dana Fontaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very symbolic book about freedom, hope, and child labor. This books is about Iqbal, and Fatima, two children who are indentured slaves in Pakistan. Fatima narrates the book, while Iqbal is the main character. Iqbal is sold from merchant to merchant because he is rebellious. One of the many times he runs away he runs across an activist that is against child labor. He trusts in the wrong people and he confides to the corrupt police force that he is a runaway. They take him back to his master where he is severely punished. Iqbal stands up to his master and everyone is freed. Not every ending is a happy one, though. You must read this book to find out what happens. This book is slightly fictionalized. Iqbal was a real child that existed and helped many people to safety.

[Garance Brosseau · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst book.

[Faerietales_again · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book out loud to my middle school class and they loved it! This story is written in a very similar style to "Boy in the Striped Pajamas" in that in tackles a very difficult subject from a child's perspective. The simplistic writing style allows for children to explore the idea of child labour in a child-friendly way. I would highly recommend this book to readers of any age, as I got just as much out of it as my students did.

UPDATE: Read it again with my class again this year and definitely was a highlight. Took them awhile to get into it, but once they were hooked, they were really engaged!

[Reeda Booke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a brave boy who was sold to a rug factory as a slave to pay off a family debt and his courageous battle to free all children in slavery for a hope of a better life as free children. This is a true story as told by Fatima, who was also a child slave, and recounts his life to free them from a life of cruelty, long hours and little food.
It was a heartbreaking story, sure to bring tears to your eyes, but also a story of bravery and courage for one so young to be able to stand up for himself and many others. That his life was cut short was tragic.

[Irini 이리니 Thalassinou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Στην αναζήτησή μου για βιβλία που σχετίζονται με το Πακιστάν, έπεσε στην αντίληψή μου αυτή η αληθινή και συγκινητική ιστορία. Σε προκαλεί να παλέψεις κι εσύ μαζί με αυτό το παιδί.
Όπως αναφέρει και ο συγγραφέας στον πρόλογο του βιβλίου:
"Είναι η ιστορία του πώς μπορεί να κατακτήσει κανείς την ελευθερία του."

[Alexandra Floread · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read this book because I saw the play over ten years ago and ever since wanted to know more about Iqbal’s story. I almost forgot about how much this story affected me until I relived the joys and triumphs coupled with the sorrow and pain. I am glad my emotions responded in the same way they did when I was a child.

[Star Gater · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was under the impression that this was nonfiction; however, it appears to be fiction. I was okay with the middle grade classification given the subject matter. I needed to dip my toes into child carpet slavery. The subject matter is too near and dear to my being to select and purchase such a tale.

Children being sold into slavery and children used to pay family debts are not fictional subjects for me.

I took issue with a revolt of sorts in this tale. I just don't believe they happen.

The tale is not graphic (middle grade) and the characters are simple.

Two stars for bringing attention to a global issue.

I would like nonfiction recommendations.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 uncommon for money lenders to prey on helpless poor people, lending them amounts they were not able to repay. In return, children were taken and worked (sometimes to death) under barbaric conditions.

At the age of five, Iqbal was enslaved in a carpet factory, chained to a loom, where, like many, he worked night and day with little food, little light and no contact with the outside world.

Iqbal escaped twice, once he was returned at the hands of corrupt policemen who received bribes. Successfully escaping the second time he sought help from the Bonded Labor Liberation Front who helped to free him and many.

Sadly, in 1995, at the age of 12, he was murdered . He is indeed a hero!

And now, because of this book, I'm off on a new journey to learn as much as possible, not only about Iqbal, but about child labor in Pakistan and throughout the world. ( )

[Daniel E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give the first half of Iqbal a go three. First, I like "Iqbal". Next I lake story. However, I do not like Hussein Khan because he is bad for all these reasons, I give the first half of Iqbal a three.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need a quick read, then this book is perfect because it’s descriptive and only 120 pages.

[alisha ⭐️ ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

this this was a reread for me, the first time i read this book it changed my life. i read it in school when i was 10, the same age as the girl narrating the book. that is why it was so eye-opening and hard hitting for me, because i could not believe that this was the reality for millions of children in the world while i was reading about it at school.

i still have still thought about this book so many times throughout my life and it formed so many opinions for me. so getting to now reread this book as an adult, first of all, i am so impressed and thankful for my teacher choosing this book for us to read. second of all, i am still so moved by the story 🤍

[Adelaide · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book and it was well written but it wasn’t the type of book I normally read so I didn’t really enjoy it. I was assigned this book to read in class and so it was not of my choosing. If you like this genre i would recommend. But yeah it just wasn’t for me.

[Arianna Perruquet]

letto un botto di anni faaaa

[sleeps9hours · Rating 1 out of 5]

I saw this on a list of recommended summer reading for teens. It's a fictionalized account of a real boy who worked in child slavery hand knotting carpets in Pakistan. He escaped and joined a movement to end bonded child labor, and won an international prize before being murdered in his village at the age of 13.

Unfortunately, the writing of what should be a very moving story is not done well. There are a couple of nonfiction books about Iqbal which might be better reading suggestions. This book is written from the point of view of a girl at the carpet "factory" (a room with a dozen kids and their looms), and doesn't contain all that much information about Iqbal. The characters are all one dimensional and life in Pakistan outside of the carpet room is hardly represented at all. Even for teen books I found it overly simplistic and unrealistically sappy.

[Astra · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 power, and it made me further realize how lucky I am to be free.

[Anoushka K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

And... now Iqbal is over! I just felt a whirlwind of emotions during this book. D’adamo takes real events and a sort of poeticism to create a tale that is both sad and uplifting, and the result took my breath away. It was amazing.

“My sister, I don’t know where you’re going, or how I’ll be able to communicate with you, or even if we’ll meet again. I just beg of you, don’t forget. Tell somebody our story. Tell everyone our story. So that the memory will not be lost.

That’s the only way to keep Iqbal at our sides forever.”

[KellenD · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a really good book. I think it is a great balanced book and I like how it gave detail.

[Mackenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an inspiring story of told by Fatima a slave in Pakistan. Working for Hussain Khan for three years to pay of the money her parents owed the moneylenders, she spends every day making carpets in a factory with other kids. Every day, if the work is good enough, Hussain Khan erases one of the lines representing, the debt from the slate that is above her loom. But somehow after being erased the lines on her slate are never done, neither are any of the other children's slate.
Iqbal is sad when he comes, but different than the other children. Even being chained to his loom, he isn't afraid of Hussain Khan. He works better than any other kid in the factory.

The children in the factory find out that Iqbal is weaving a Blue Bukhara, a carpet that has a vey complicated pattern. One morning, some people come to the factory. Hussain Khan wants it to be perfect, but Iqbal rips up the Blue Bukhara into pieces. The carpet is ruined, and Iqbal is put into the Tomb, the Tomb is used to punish the children

Iqbal promises Fatima that someday they will fly a kite together. Then he runs away by climbing out the window. Iqbal comes back three days later with two policemen. Fatima watches them hand a struggling Iqbal back to Hussain Khan in exchange for two small stacks of money. Iqbal is sent to the Tomb for so long that they forget the number. When he comes out he told the other kids that he had heard a speech from the Bonded Labor Liberation Front of Pakistan. The guy said that being slaves was now illegal, and Iqbal had told the police that he was a slave and they brought him back to Hussain Khan. Iqbal showed them a pamphlet from the Liberation Front, but no one can read, but then they find out that Maria can. She has never spoken before, Maria starts to speak and is able to teach them. In a year, everyone can read the pamphlet and the address at the bottom. Iqbal escapes again during a fight between the kids.

He comes back with the leader of the Liberation Front. The children are freed.
Not sure of where to go, the children go to the Liberation Front headquarters till they are reunited with their families. They are washed, fed and given comfortable sleeping quarters. Iqbal keeps his promise to Fatima, and they spend an afternoon flying a kite together as, one by one, the children are returned to their families. Soon only Karim, Iqbal, Maira, and Fatima have not gone back to their families.

Eventually Fatima goes back and lives with her family. Maria and her stay in touch by sending letters to each other. Then , Maria sends a letter that says that Iqbal was killed on a bicycle by a shot fired by a man in a car before the car sped away. Maria is still the Liberation Front headquarters. She tells Fatima to tell Iqbal's story, to keep it alive.



This book made me feel many emotions. Many times I felt pangs if anger at the way Hussain Khan and others treated the child slaves. I felt a deep anger when I read about the Tomb, and how on pg 41 after he tells them about a wild boy who used to work here and wouldn't work. "So the master put him in Tomb?"
"Five days he kept him there."
"And did he come out?"
"Yeah he cam out. They carried him out like the dead, but he didn't die. He was burned from the heat and his skin had peeled away." This made me feel sorrowful for all the children slaves, but the he part where i felt most sorrowful was pg 118 where Iqbal dies. Him dying made me sorrowful but the fact that this story is true and this is happening to children made me really appreciate my life.

[Sarah Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iqbal is based on Iqbal Masih's life as a bonded laborer in Pakistan during the early 1990s. This fictionalized account of what happens when one boy lets go of fear to better his plight and help his friends find freedom is inspirational and motivating. It leads readers to investigate and question the enforcement of human rights globally.

This historical fiction text incorporates a plethora of figurative language and symbolism. The vocabulary utilized is basic enough for an upper elementary school student to easily comprehend, and the content is deep enough that it could stretch the inquiry of an 8th grader. Iqbal has the power to open the eyes of students to what childhood may look like to those stuck in the cycle of poverty. While the cultural differences may feel abundant at first, the story is written in a way that allows the reader to connect with the characters in meaningful ways and realize they are not so different.

I imagine that this book could be used as a read aloud, independent unit, or part of literature circles. Themes of courage, hope, ethics, justice, and human rights would be valuable for students to reflect on. The way D'Adamo introduces and develops his many characters would also be beneficial for students learning characterization.

[Cecily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the book "Iqbal" by Francesco D'Adamo was very good. The story is told through the eyes of a young girl named Fatima, who works in a carpet factory with other children. The work is hard and not fit for children. Life is hard for them, until Iqbal arrives and changes everything.

I thought this book was very good because the story was interesting. The story was always very surprising. One example of this is when Iqbal sliced the carpet that would make the master, Hussain Khan, a lot of money. I certainly did not expect that to happen, most likely nor did any other reader. I also liked how the author added in the influence he had on the other children. for example, after he tells Maria about kites, she weaves a kite in her carpet. When Hussain Khan threatens to put her in the tomb for doing this, the other children all yell, "Put me in with her!" I thought this was very brave of the children and Maria. Another aspect I like about this book is how it spreads awareness about children who have to work in such bad conditions. I think people everywhere should read the this book.

[Emma McKinny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iqbal is about the life of Iqbal Masih. Iqbal lived in Pakistan, and like many other children, was bonded to a master. This means that at some point in his life, his parents had to borrow money, and in order to pay of the debt they sold their child. This was illegal at the time, and it still is, but nobody seemed to care. Iqbal escaped from his master, and joined the liberation front. He was given an award for helping so many children escape, and was going to go to college, but then, tragedy struck. It’s not completely clear what happened, but he was found dead on the side of the road. The murderers have yet to be discovered. Iqbal became a symbol for the children of Pakistan, and his story should be taught to every child. He helped prove that children can do amazing things, when allowed to be free.