Sold by Patricia McCormick

Bibliographic Information:
McCormick, P. (2006). Sold. New York, NY: Hyperion. ISBN# 0786851716

Plot Summary:
Lakshmi, 13 years old, lives in Nepal with her baby brother, mother and stepfather. Lakshmi loves her mother dearly and helps out, especially with her little brother. She dreams of growing up and having a family of her own. A rural farming family, they are just barely surviving. Then a monsoon destroys their crops. Lakshmi’s stepfather tells her that she will go into the city to be a maid. She will then be able to make money and send it back to the family. While Lakshmi is nervous, she wants to help her family. Unfortunately her stepfather has really sold her into prostitution in India. Lakshmi is beaten, starved, and eventually drugged and raped to get her to perform on demand. Her life becomes a prison of sex. She becomes close to the other women, their children, and the boy who serves their food. The girls are paid for their services, but then in turn they must pay for everything: Food, clothing, and housing. Lakshmi keeps careful track of the amount of money she has and how much she owes in hopes of buying her freedom. This is not to be as the brothel owner makes sure that the amount owed is always more than the amount given. Learning to read and watching soap operas are small instances of happiness for Lakshmi. Then an American pays for her services, but just wants to talk. He claims that he can help her escape. Is it a trick? Should she trust him? What should she do?

Critical Evaluation:
This is a remarkable story. It is full of horror and sadness. It is inconceivable to me that someone could sell their child into such a horrible situation. But according to McCormick’s notes this happens all too frequently. Lakshmi’s pain and despair are clear in McCormick’s writing. Told from the first person, the reader follows Lakshmi and is right there feeling what she feels. While it is full of sadness, it is also full of hope. Lakshmi doesn’t give up. She first tries to save money to buy her freedom. When that fails, she waits for her opportunity to escape. This is a tale of perseverance. McCormick researched the story thoroughly. She sent to India to see these brothels first hand. In her notes she discusses the interviews she conducted with survivors. She also gives resources for more information and ways that readers can help. This story was so heartrending, that I cried some as I read it. I also donated money to the fund McCormick suggests in the hopes that someday this behavior will end. For older teens, this book is a must to have on the shelf.

Reader's Annotation:
When a monsoon destroys a poor family’s crops in Nepal, 13 year old Lakshmi is sold into prostitution in India by her stepfather to pay his gambling debts.

Information about the author:
McCormick has a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees. She has written four books and has won over 20 awards and honor for her work. McCormick has been a free-lance journalist and has taught at the college level. Currently she lives in New York with her husband, two children and two cats.

Genre: Realistic Fiction; poetry

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts; Social Studies; Current events

Booktalking Ideas:
• Discuss the sex slave trade.
• Why did Lakshmi’s parents sell her into prostitution?
• Why did she think she was to be a maid?
• How does Lakshmi keep herself from total despair?
• Could this happen in the United States? Why? Why not?
• What does this book say about the human spirit?
• What can we do as a nation to help?
• What can you do as an individual to help?

A reading guide can be found at http://www.bookbrowse.com/reading_guides/detail/index.cfm?book_number=1876

Information for teachers can be found at http://www.pattymccormick.com/index.php?mode=objectlist§ion_id=116&object_id=160

Reading Level/Interest Level:
The widest age range, according to the reviews, is 12 – 18. Due to the content though, I would recommend this book for upper high school level students.

Challenge Issues:
Slavery; rape; prostitution; drugs; abuse

If the book is challenged:
• Listen calmly to the complainant.
• Ask if s/he has read the entire novel.
• Show positive reviews of the novel.
• Show the selection policy.
If the complainant still has issues with the book:
• Request that the complainant read the entire book if this has not already occurred.
• Have the complainant fill out a reconsideration form.
• Set up a reconsideration meeting.
• Provide the reconsideration meeting members with:
o Positive reviews
o Selection policy
o Reconsideration policy

Selection Process:
I did a search on Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database with the following criteria: Award winner, reviews available, and age range from 15 – 18.

Ten positive reviews

Awards/ Best Books Lists:
• Appears on 16 Best Books List
• Appears on 17 state/provincial reading list
• Has received seven awards

Reading/Interest level, selection process information, reviews, and Awards/Best Books Lists were accessed using the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database at http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~StbGlI:1 accessed through SJSU and not available to everyone.