In 1948, the United Nations agreed upon the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It states thirty basic human rights to which all individuals on Earth are entitled. Each story in the collection portrays one of them. These stories by acclaimed authors deal with issues such as peer coercion, slavery, equal rights, refugees, acquiring basic necessities, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, peace and order, among others.

A couple are written in verse. One as an interview.

Some are more serious or heavy than others. Some are even uplifting like the last one. Set in the grimness of the Gaza conflict, a boy sends kite peace offerings across the Wall to the Israeli children. More than a hundred of them, and the children finally respond to his messages. Michael Morpugo's No Trumpets Needed is beautiful, especially the description of the kites and children. I like the other stories, too. But this particular one has caught me.

The stories are very short, but I would recommend it for anyone interested in social issues and anyone craving more short stories. It maybe could be used in middle or high school history classes as well as discussion or essay starters.

related-human rights and privileges, freedom, United Nations, Amnesty International
RL=8th and up