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 into bondage to pay off his families debt. But on the inside he was a brave young man ready to fight for his freedom. Iqbal had an energy about him that let the other children know that it was okay to dream even after his failed attempt at escape. He knew he would be free and made all the other children get with the program.

Iqbal is one of those novels that force you to step outside of your little box and realize that children all over the world are living in extreme circumstances and it should not be so. Iqbal is truly a hero. While reading this novel I thought often that he had more gumption than many adults. Too many times we sit back and allow injustices to happen because we don't want to cause problems or because we don't want to interfere. This book is a quick read and designed for kids ages 8-12.