Free the Children: A Young Man Fights Against Child Labor and Proves that Children Can Change the World

by Craig Kielburger, Kevin Major

"Craig has become a Pied Piper, inspiring students in hundreds of schools across the United States and Canada to join his crusade."   —  New York Times Here is the dramatic and moving story of one child's transformation from a normal, middle-class kid from the suburbs to an activist, fighting against child labor on the world stage of international human rights. Making headlines around the globe, Graig Keilburger and his organization, Free the Children, which he founded at the age of twelve, have brought unprecedented attention to the worldwide abuse of children's rights. Free the Children is a passionate and astounding story and a moving testament to the power that children and young adults have to change the world, as witnessed through the achievements of one remarkable young man.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Social Justice, Childrens, Adult, Canada, Autobiography

321 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Craig Kielburger is a Canadian activist for the rights of children. As a 12 year old he founded Free the Children, a non-profit organisation that now operates in 45 countries with more than one million young people involved in programs. More recently, Craig co-founded Me to We with his brother Marc. Me to We is a for-profit social enterprise that provides socially responsible products and services.

Craig has been recognised for his work with a number of awards, including being made a Member of the Order of Canada on February 20, 2007.

Reviews

[Rene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book- I was drawn to it; interested by this story from the first sentence all the way through. It was hard to put down. Incredible to think that at only age 12, Kielburger was able to accomplish so much- that he had so much ambition and passion about this certain topic. That is something that I truly admire and wish I had. Ambition and passion for an important topic that affects people and to help fight for the change to bring better to a society. However, he had a great amount of background and support and that really helped. It was upsetting to find out Iqbal's story was somewhat incorrect because that newspaper of Toronto Star was what drew Kielburger into his fight against child labor. But, to know that he understood the importance and the non-importance was a thumbs up as so to speak. He made his life early and it seemed so easy. He knew the people, was raised by the people, had the soul for the cause. It brought a new idea to me that if I owned these powers of ambition and passion that I too, can make a difference. However, I also feel as though there are so many problems with the world- that there is no way of going back. There is no way of starting it all over. If I had one wish- it'd be to recreate the world.

[bamlinden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent read, showcasing the genesis that would become one of the most well-known non profit organizations in the world. Craig Kielburger’s journey through South Asia at the age of 12 is nothing short of incredible. Reading like an adventure novel, it’s often easy to forget that this is non-fiction - and that’s what makes this story all the more incredible.

I’m a big supporter of the WE charity and the goals they strive to reach. The quest to end brutal child labour that runs rampant throughout this world is something that i appreciate this organization pursuing. Giving children the opportunity to have an education - a basic right (or so it should be) is also a major component of the we.org mission. It was great to be able to hear straight from the founder how this huge endeavour started.

And what a story it was. I still can’t get over the fact that a young child travelled for the better part of two months in South Asia to learn more about the plight of young children, to visit and see first hand the conditions and circumstances these kids are in.

The book is very well written, and really that was the only thing that bothered me. It was a first person account - a 12-year-old’s account...and it came across far more mature than I felt he could evoke. Kudos to Kevin Major in assisting the writing process. It was beautifully laid out. Great stories, a common thread and wonderful information made this both an informative read as well as an exciting journey.

This is a must read for anyone who wants to learn more about this charity - or any international aid organization. It’s an exceptional story of an equally exceptional organization. Simple as that.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel tells the inspiring story of the ambitious and compassionate Craig Kielburger. At the age of 12, Craig started his own organization called Free The Children after discovering his passion for children's rights. He then proceeded to embark on the journey of a lifetime by travelling through South Asia for 7 weeks to learn about child labour as well as it see it firsthand and talk to the child labourers themselves. Free The Children is an excellent and interesting read. You will learn a lot about the cultures of South Asia as well as child labour as an issue. I found I couldn't put the book down; the horrors I read about concerning child labour are something that will stay in my mind forever. How much Craig Kielburger accomplished and achieved at the age of 12 just goes to show how age is just a number when it comes to making a difference in our world and how young people have a voice that needs to be heard. I recommend this book for any young person who has a passion and one day hopes to help bring about change in our world.

[John Sacco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the few books that kept my interest from the very beginning until the end. I thought it was so interesting that Craig started this organization when he was so young. It was so amazing to me that Craig was so ambitious to not only create an organization about a topic he became tremendously passionate about but to go to a country where child labor is prominent. I felt he was very audacious by not wanting adults to be major parts of Free the Children. This really proved to me that anyone can actually change the world. The stories of the child laborers that Craig met in his time in India are more than touching. There are no words that can really describe how those children must feel being ripped from there families to work horrible jobs with little to no pay. Many of those children were so brave to work to support their family by paying off loans. It shows how lucky many of us are because there are always people that have it worse than us.

[Pamala Hansford]

It puts you to shame to read about what this 13 year old and his friends have done to campaign against child abuse and labour.

I thoughtt it was well written and combined a story of passion and comitment with a travelogue of India and Pakistan.

It would maybe be nice to have a version of this that younger children could access and enjoy.

[Nauman Faridi]

I read only part of this book that was related to child labor in Pakistan. Very encouraging to see a boy's struggle against this crime against humanity.

[Victoria Shepherd · Rating 3 out of 5]

A remarkable story and protagonist; would love to know more about how the person balanced the mission and his life as a child.

[Samantha Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows the journey of Craig Kielburger from the start of "Free The Children" , to his journey in South Asia and his impact on the world. Craig's vision for " Free The Children started when he heard the story of a young boy named Iqbal Masih. Iqbal was murdered for speaking out against child labour based on his own experience. After hearing Iqbal's story Craig was inspired to help with the issue of child labour. He asked his grade 7 class if anyone else was interested in helping and 11 hands shot up.

After Craig and his group made numerous trips to schools , community meetings and board meetings people were finally starting to see that child labour was a serious issue. However they were not all on board with the idea that kids could make a difference.

After months of talking to a new friend named Alam , who had the same passion about kids changing the world, Craig wanted to take a trip. He wanted to travel to South Asia, to speak to victims of child labour , girls who had been involved in the sex trade and to experience the culture. After preparing a schedule and making all the final preparations , his parents were finally on board. During his trip Craig talked to victims of child labour , victims of the sex trade and any children who had been exploited, to hear what they had to say.

I liked hearing about all of Craig's experiences and how strongly he felt about changing the world. I felt that the characters were believable, as it was a real person telling the audience about his life , experiences and feelings.
I think for the most part the book was exciting , however it was a deep subject so there was not a lot of " exciting" parts. I think the authors writing style was fast paced with just enough detail and it was easy to understand.
I would have added more detail about how " Free The Children" started and what he did to get it off the ground. However I would take out the details about his surroundings in Asia.

I would recommend this book to teenagers or adults of any kind who want to learn about the difficulties people face around the world and admire what organizations and people like FTC and Craig Kielburger do to change the world.

The End

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that author Craig Keilburger did a very good job at showing every detail of the trip that was described in the book. In Free the Children the author's main point that he was trying to get across to every may have been a simple one but also a very complicated one. He wanted to say that everyone should be free no matter what race or age. What he was trying to do throughout the whole book was basically try and convince the government that they should stop child labor. While he was on his trip he interviewed lots of children but the interview that stood out to me as an interview with a boy called Mariupun. When he asked him how much his whole family made for working at a firework factory he said "Per day, ten rupees each."(p.213) "The whole family together made about two dollars U.S. per day."(p.213) That basically shows you how bad that they had it . These kids were ages 6-14 years old who were going to spend the rest of their lives working at the factory trying to pay off a debt that keeps going up. Another important thing that Craig said was," Adults have to understand that youth do want to take action on various issues and that youth do want to become involved."(p.146) This is also very important because this is another major message that he was trying to get across to the world. That kids wanted to be apart of today's issues and have a voice. The book suggests that the world take responsibility for not caring about what state a lot of the third world countries are in and especially how they are treating the children. I agree with how he thinks that kids are usually not taken very seriously when they are talking about important subjects because they do not have as much experience as maybe some of the adults with the subject. I think that they should take into account not that it is a child talking but what the child is saying. This book was very memorable because I really did not know that these types of things were happening in the third world countries.

[Yauheniya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The journey of Craig Kielburger through South Asia at the age of 12 is nothing short of extraordinary, to learn more about the welfare of young children, to visit and see first hand the situations and conditions under which these children are.

He knew the people, he had been brought up by the people, he had the passion for the cause. It brought a new idea to me that I could make a difference as well if I owned these forces of ambition and passion. I still appear, though, as if there are so many issues on the planet, that there is no way to go around. There is no way to start all of it over. If there was one wish I had, it would be to reinvent the earth, no child should suffer, they deserve a fun childhood.

It is always easy to forget, reading like an adventure book, that this is nonfiction, and that's what makes this situation all the more fantastic, also written as the first book by Craig Kielburg himself. It was wonderful to be able to hear directly from the creator how this tremendous undertaking had begun.

This was an outstanding novel, explaining the origins that would be among the world's best known non-profit organizations. I highly recommend it if you have a passion for learning more about the world, this book has a very powerful message. Everyone should know that the world isn't perfect if there are child slavery and abuse. I want everyone to acknowledge that. “I play video games and watch TV, but there's more to life than that. Faxing and the Internet have created a global community. The kid next door has become the kid in Latin America or Asia.”― Craig Keilburger. This a true meaning of including everyone. I connect with this, we shouldn't disclude anyone. Many people can't afford or don't play video games or have any electronics, still living life to their fullest.

Teens or adults of any sort should read this, those who want to learn about the problems people face around the world and appreciate what organizations and individuals such as Craig Kielburger are doing to change the world. I would suggest this book to everyone in the world because this book would change the entire understanding of what you live in and how individuals take advantage of it and don't value what they have. If everyone in the world had read this book and had a heart, I truly believe that it would be a safer place to live in.

And what a plot it was, I still probably won't get over the fact that a young kid traveled to South Asia for the better part of two whole months to learn more about the plight of young children, to visit and see first-hand the situation under which these children are.

It was so impressive to me that Craig was so enthusiastic to not only establish an organization about a subject he was incredibly passionate towards but to go to an influential country where child labor is relevant. By not wanting adults to be a big part of Free the Children, I thought he was quite daring. This really proved to me that everybody can change society.

The atrocities I learned about child labor are something which will forever stick in my mind.

I found it was so incredible that Craig, when he was so young, established this organization.

This was one of the few non-fiction books that, from the very beginning until the end, held my attention. It's amazing to think that Kielburger was able to accomplish so much at the age of only 12, that he had so much ambition and passion for this certain subject just because of reading a newspaper article about a 12-year-old Iqbal Masih like him who got assassinated in Pakistani because he spoke out in public of human rights and how he escaped with his friends a carpet factory. It really does inspire me.

I admire this organization's continuation of the mission to end inhuman child labor that runs wild throughout this planet.

There are no imaginable words that can really explain how those kids deserve to feel torn out of their families with little to no wages and to work terrible jobs for years or sometimes even with your entire life. Some just might be lucky to be rescued in the first place, and there are just so many that they can save.

Ambition and excitement for a significant subject that affects people and helps to advocate for progress in order to make the streets safer.

The stories of the child laborers that Craig met in his time in India are more than touching. Many of those children were so brave to work to support their families by paying off loans. It shows how lucky many of us are because there are always people that have it worse than us.

In any young person who has a desire and one day wants to help achieve change in our environment, I highly recommend the book. When it comes to making a difference in our world and how young adults and children have a voice that deserves to be understood and taken seriously, making a difference, how much Craig Kielburger fulfilled and accomplished at the age of 12 just shows how age is a simple number, no one should be determined or judged by it.

I have learned about Craig for 3 years now, it all started because of my teacher for my electives Ms. Krug, teaching about children like us, Teens Around The World. I'm a huge supporter of the WE charity and the aims they seek to accomplish.

I thought Craig Keilburger, the author, did a very good job of showing every aspect of the trip mentioned in the book. The author's primary argument that he was trying to get across to everyone in Free the Children might have been an easy one, but also a rather complicated one. He wanted to suggest that everyone, no matter what race or age, should be free. Throughout the entire book, what he was trying to do was simply try to persuade the government that they should stop child labor. He said "Per day, ten rupees each." when he asked him how much his whole family earned for working in a firework factory, (p. 213). "The whole family together made about two dollars U.S. per day." (p. 213) This essentially tells you how bad they had it. These children were between the ages of 6-14! I wouldn't change a signal thing about this book, there get tons of great details and no weaknesses.

A significant thing Craig said was, "Adults have to understand that youth do want to take action on various issues and that youth do want to become involved." (p. 146). This is also really significant because this is another important message he was trying to get to the world though. The kids wanted to be apart from the problems of today and have a voice.

The book implies that the world takes responsibility for not thinking about what shape many third-world nations are in and how they treat children in particular. I agree with how he feels that when talking about important topics, kids are typically not taken so seriously because they don't have as much experience as maybe some of the adults with the subject. I believe they should take into account what the child is doing, not because it is a child talking. A penny is almost like a kid, people walk past them, ignoring them, not thinking much as they’re so young. No one will think twice. But when many groups of children come together they’re capable of changing the world. Every single penny matters, as also talking about raising money for help. 

[Jasmine Hawamdeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books, that whenever I need inspiring or need to reconsider how lucky I am to live the life I live or to push myself to work harder I read this. I have not took the time to read this one for awhile but I did it. I have read many books by Craig Kielburger (because he is someone that I mentor, look up to, and push myself to be like) so I think that is why I basically picked out this book. It is an auto-biography and a really inspiring one. You start with 12 year old Craig reading the Toronto Star newspaper, searching for the comics when he comes across an article that says "Battled Child Labour, Boy, 12, Murdered." He reads it. And finds out that the boy's name is Iqbal Masih and he was a child labourer, who stood up for himself and got himself shot because of that. Craig was inspired by the story so he decided to go to his class and asked "who wants to change the world with me?" 11 hands shot up and just like that "Free the Children" was born. It was his courage that day that started a movement of thousand and thousand of people changing the world.
This book is many that I will never forget by Craig Kielburger, his passion about child labour is very evident in his bio.
I finished this book because anyone who has a heart, when they start reading it won't want to stop because of the sadness, inspiration, determination, and passion that bursts out of this book.
I would recommend this book to everyone in the whole world because this book will change your whole perspective about what you live in and how people take advantage and don't appreciate what they have.
If everyone in the world read this book, and they had a heart I honestly think it would be a better place to live in.

[Spencer Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of the most attention grabbing, heart warming, victorious stories I have ever read. This story is about a young boy named Craig who, despite societies preconceived ideas about kids, forms an organization bigger than all of us. One day at the dinner table he reads a magazine article about a boy named Iqbal and how he is only 12, but was shot and killed because he was standing up for his human rights. This sparks young Craig to Create a group of kids who would help other kids that are stuck in the painful lifestyle of child labor. His Organization started small, but then it grew beyond his wildest dreams! Soon he was going to colleges and amphitheaters to speak about Iqbal and how we, as americans, need to help put a stop to the monstrosity known as child labor.

I have seen how big this organization has gotten. They now have an event that I have attended called We Day where all the kids who are involved in community services and charities get to enjoy this big event with popular icons like Seth Rogen and Selena Gomez. I cannot believe that this was all started by a 12 year old boy from Canada. It blows my mind what just one kid can do, Imagine if everyone applied themselves like Craig!

So is this a good book to read? Yes its a fantastic book and I highly suggest that you do. This book has inspired me and I am joining the fight against child labor.

[Maddi]

Free the Children, written by Craig Kielburger, is a true story about Craig’s transformation from a normal
twelve year-old living in a suburb in Canada to an important human rights activist. Craig was
reading the newspaper and was appalled to see that a boy Craig’s own age named Iqbal was
killed. Iqbal Masih was a child worker in Pakistan who escaped. After earning his freedom, he
became an inspiration and motivational speaker for other child laborers. Shortly after, his life
came to an end when he was shot for standing up to child labor. His legacy, however, still had a
long way to go. This story made Craig aware child labor still existed, and children his own age
and younger still suffered. He knew that there was no one better than a child to stand up for
children. He gathered some of his classmates and together they founded what is now a world
wide organization, Free the Children. This story follows Craig's unique path as a child activist. I highly recommend this book for both adults and children.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

We received this book at the We Day concert. My daughter read it, and was inspired to change the world. She didn't know what to do next, so she asked me to read it as well.

My daughter is about the same age that Craig Kielburger was when he founded Free the Children and toured Asia to educate himself about child labor. It was interesting to read about his experience, and hard to imagine her in his shoes. So I think the next step for her is to find her passion, and then she'll have a better idea of what she can change.

Reading this book is inspirational in the sense that it shows that kids can make a difference. There are some ideas in the back about what kids can do next, but I wish it made it more clear that you don't have to do something as radical as Kielburger to inspire change.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was inspired to read this book after attending an event in which Craig Kielburger was the keynote speaker. I was aware of his story somewhat prior to but didn't know the full details. I found him a very engaging speaker however and wanted to know more about his organization which is why I decided to read his book.

Please keep in mind that he wrote this book when he was 16 years old however, despite that it was a fairly good read - quick and insightful.

I think this would be a great book for educators and parents to give or recommend that their children read. For children, learning about someone who is their age and was able to make a difference could open a whole new world to them and engage them to find their passion.

[Sarah Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Free The Children tells the story of Craig Kelburger and his fight against child labor. This book opened my eyes to the issue of child labor. Personally I had never given much thought to the topic, but I now realize the importance of this issue. While reading I was horrified at how the author describe the conditions that these young children work in. This book also brought how rarely kids are thought of as capable of making change to my attention, while in fact they in fact are just as capable as adults are. Over all i really enjoyed this book and would recomend it to anyone looking for something interseting to read.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Craig Kielburger is one of my heroes. Rarely do we meet a 12 year old who not only wants to change the world, but actually does something about it. Most of this book tells of Craig's travels in Asia, meeting with children exploited by adults, all for monetary gain. His compassion for children, while still a child himself, is incredibly inspiring and should lead us to question how our own choices affect those we cannot see. You cannot read this book and be unaffected by it's message.
Craig is still at work changing the world today as an author, columnist, social entrepreneur and activist for the rights of children.

[Lizette · Rating 4 out of 5]

After going to WeDay concert, it really motivated me to help the world! Reading the book by Craig was just amazingggg !! Reading and learning on how it all started at a young age was awesome! My fav part was when they went to the high school to talk about child slavery and were overwhelmed with all the questions but then came back to the same high school with all the answers to the question!!! I recommend this to anyone bc this motivates and teaches you that you can make a change no matter what age you are and start with!!

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

He was twelve when he started this campaign to free the children. Since then he's plunged head-on to change the world. He's been nominated three times for the nobel peace prize and he's only 24. I've spent two summer traveling with Craig though Kenya and India and he's more than just an idealist, he's a great guy with a huge heart, a quick smile who really is changing the world. Reading this book is an insight to his motivation.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy Amazing. That's the new title. This is along the lines of "Three Cups of Tea" - the power that one person can have if they just do something. Except this kid was 12 years old when he started. What?! I wish I'd had the motivation and ambition and heart he did at age 12. DEFINITELY recommend. Or, rather, I beg you to read it. Please please please read this. It will change you, methinks.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The courage and vision of this author - at such a young age! - is extraodinary and inspiring. At the age of 12, Craig Kielburger formed an advocacy group, "Free the Children" to help understand child labour. This book chronicles the start of Free the Children, and the author's first trip to Asia, again while only 12 years old, to talk to child labourers, to bring their stories back to North America, and to try to find solutions.

[cschuller3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Craig Kielburger wants to go on a trip to Asia to study child labour, but his parents won't allow him to. So he does what he has to go to be able to go on the trip. He has to prove to his parents that he will stay safe and he has to pay half of the costs himself. Then, a few weeks later, he gets a fax from Asia which gives him a complete shock. Free The Children is about bravery, learning and fear.

[Thomas Pantea · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most realistic non-fiction books I have ever read, apart from the Fort of Nine Towers. When Craig was describing everything, he wrote so powerfully and eloquently that I was able to feel what he felt. I think that one memory of the book that I'll never forget was when an eight year old boy was basically sold into sexual slavery to an undercover cop (not there for gratification) in front of Craig. All in all, a masterfully written book.

[Joseph Schlesinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously, the main themes of the book are disclosure of the evils of forced child labor & the need to rehabilitate socioeconomic systems that condone & rely on the exploitation of children. But another theme, almost as important as the ones I've already stated, is the impact that concerned children can have when they act in concert to correct social injustice. A truly inspiring read!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covers how Kielburger was inspired to start the Free the Children organization, and the research trip he took through India, Thailand and Pakistan doing research on Child Labourers and how they're treated. Discusses how important it is to educate children in order to give the children, their families, and their society a chance at a better future.

[Cj23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because it really tells the reader what is happening in other parts of the world.
For example:the biography takes place on his travels to India to see how bad the quality of life really is in other parts of the world.

[Sayel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Craig Kielburger is one of my personal idols so I found his book really inspiring. From the perspective of a young man he tells us his story from his early years in activism, the challenges and the successes of someone who challenged the status quo despite being only a teenager. Very recommended!

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Craig's work in that area of helping to free children from child labor are admirable. I just didn't care for the actual writing of the book itself.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, a very powerful insightful book. It really opens your eyes to what is happening in the world and what someone can to do to help.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book. Teaches people how to serve others. They build schools. Oprah helped build schools with them.