Lakshmi lives in abject poverty in a remote Nepalese village—until the monsoons destroy what few crops her family produces. When this happens, her stepfather announces Lakshmi must earn money to help support her fam ily. Unbeknownst to Lakshmi or her mother, she has actually been sold into prostitution. Her mother’s words, “simply to endure . . . is to triumph” (16), sustain her. This book is brutally graphic in places, so a mature audience is recommended. Sold pairs well with Wanting Mor (Khan 2009) and The Shepherd’s Granddaughter (Carter 2008) because of the girls’ ability to survive despite extreme adversity. An author’s note details McCormick’s research into sexual slavery in Nepal and India. 2006 National Book Award finalist. lmp

Life is harsh in the mountain village in Nepal where Lakshmi works hard alongside her mother to look after the family. When her stepfather finds her a job in the city, Lakshmi dreams of making her family proud. The reality is different: Lakshmi has been sold into a life of sexual slavery.