We Are All Born Free
FREE?
Stories celebrating human rights
Synopsis:
Authors include: Amnesty International, David Almond, Ibtisam Barakat, Malorie Blackman, Theresa Breslin, Eoin Colfer, Roddy Doyle, Ursula Dubosarsky, Jamila Gavin, Patricia McCormick, Margaret Mahy, Michael Morpurgo, Sarah Mussi, Meja Mwangi, Rita Williams-Garcia, Jacqueline Wilson.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed on the 10th December 1948 as an enduring international commitment to human rights. Published in the 60th anniversary year of the Declaration, this is an outstanding collection of short stories, each one inspired by a different human right. The stories have been written especially for young people aged 10 to 15 and demonstrate why human rights are still of crucial importance. This is compelling fiction that contributes to a better understanding of human rights and the values that underpin them.
Former Children's Laureate Jacqueline Wilson has written the foreword to Free? and says:
'So many brave writers have drawn attention to the horrors of repressive regimes, even though they've suffered as a result. The authors contributing stories to this beautiful book have given us much food for thought. Life isn't fair; but we can do our best to right the wrongs.'
Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen says:
‘Free? captures the issues which are encompassed in human rights, such as education, religion and freedom of speech, in a way that is easy to understand and entertaining for young people. We are extremely delighted and privileged that these exceptional authors have contributed to this anthology and we hope that all who read this book will be inspired to stand up for justice.’
INSPIRING YOUNG READERS
15-year-old Lucy Stanford is an Amnesty Youth Activist, and winner of the 2009 Youth Advisory Group essay competition to interview David Almond for ‘New Release’, Amnesty’s youth publication.
Lucy was inspired to write her winning essay after reading FREE.
'Authors can help raise awareness about human rights whether it’s with their plotline, characters or setting. They can bring whole communities alive and say much more than a newspaper article might be able to say about the background to the situations where human rights abuses may occur… Even if an author’s writing makes someone question human rights where they live for a moment, their hard work will be worthwhile.' – Lucy Stanford
| ISBN | 978 1 4063 1830 2 |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Walker Books |
| Date | 05 May 2009 |
| Format | Softback, 224pp, 198mm x129mm |
| Price | £6.99 |
Reviews
'Readers should see the relevance of the human rights issues rasied in these stories. Many of the stories are set within a Western context or make connections between our Western lives and lifestyles and other parts of the world. Free? will be also a useful resource for teachers across the curriculum. Each of the stories is short enough to be read out in class or used as a source for a role play that children and young people can act out whilst still allowing time for discussion. There are broader issues about belonging, migration and slavery also contained within the book. Technically the different writing styles and techniques will be useful to many English teachers and make an interesting point of comparison between stories. Free? is a fantastic read and teaching resource about human rights and their continued importance today.'
- Write Away
'An absorbing book which in the age-old tradition of story telling, gets the point over to its young readers that not everyone in the world has the freedom they treat so lightly'
- Newbury Weekly News
'I think this an excellent way to get young people interested in human rights and to open their eyes to some of the atrocities and abuses that continue to happen around the world. The book contains a wide variety of stories, some by authors who are well known to most school children today, and some by some authors who are not known at all. None of the authors preach, they just tell good, readable stories that hopefully make the reader think a little. I liked all the stories (except one!) but my favourites are “No Trumpets Needed” by Michael Morpurgo and “If only Papa hadn't Danced” by Patricia McCormick.'
- Jan Lennon, Librarian, Loreto College, St Albans
'I got really into this book and read all the stories in one day! I think the book sends a very strong message. My favourite story is “If only Papa hadn’t danced” but I liked them all really.'
- Tara, Year 8, Loreto College, St Albans
'I like some stories more than others, but the Michael Morpurgo story about the kites “No Trumpets Needed” was my favourite. I think the book is a really good idea.'
- Josephine, Year 7, Loreto College, St Albans
'I like the introduction ‘Foreword’ by Jacqueline Wilson and “No Trumpets Needed’ by Michael Morpurgo because they were very interesting and thoughtful. The book is really good.'
- Yetunde, Year 7, Loreto College, St Albans
Contents
Foreword by Jacqueline Wilson
Klaus Vogel and the Bad Lads by David Almond
School Slave by Theresa Breslin
Scout’s Honour by Sarah Mussi
Sarsaparilla by Ursula Dubosarsky
After the Hurricane by Rita Williams-Garcia
If Only Papa Hadn’t Danced by Patricia McCormick
Prince Francis by Roddy Doyle
Uncle Meena by Ibtisam Barakat
Searching for a Two-Way Street by Malorie Blackman
Setting Words Free by Margaret Mahy
Jojo Learns to Dance by Meja Mwangi
Wherever I Lay Down My Head by Jamila Gavin
Christopher by Eoin Colfer
No Trumpets Needed by Michael Morpurgo
Write a review of this book
