Patricia McCormick (1) (1956–)

It is an extraordinary gift to hear the story of a person like Malala in her own words -- not least because she is so very human and so aware of it -- funny, thoughtful, competitive, committed. I hope for our world's sake that she leads us all into a better place.

Arn's story is a hard one to read, but enormously powerful and an important one to know. What's interesting is that I felt like McCormick's choice to have the voice use broken English worked to remove me from the story somewhat. I can't decide if that's a good thing or not - did I need the distance in order to be able to read the story at all? Or would I have been more involved and even more moved if the language was fluent? I did think it was an excellent choice to extend Arn's story into show more his time in the US in order to make it clear his ordeal was far from over. show less

I know we should never judge (or buy) a book by it's cover, but I did just that when I picked up Sold by Patricia McCormick. The eyes of the young girl on the cover were so haunting and raw, I knew right away I wanted to know her story. After reading the summary on the back, I was sold. Not only did this novel tell a story about a culture I’m not at all familiar with, her was a life so different from mine, I found it completely fascinating.

To be honest¸ I’m not quite sure where to show more begin. This has been a very difficult review to write because of the subject matter. Childhood prostitution and slavery are heartwrenching topics. Heartwrenching isn't even the right word, it's much more severe than that. It's sick and preverted. It blows my mind that something like this is allowed to happen in the world.


This work of fiction is beautifully written and reads like a diary of a thirteen-year-old girl sold into prostitution by a step father who cared more about his clothes than the protection of his family. She grew up in a culture where “a son will always be a son, they say. But a girl is like a goat. Good as long as she gives you milk and butter. But not worth crying over when it’s time to make a stew.” Lakshmi had a life that was never hers to live as she choose. Her life was dictated to her, from how long she was allowed to study to whom she married. Her allies in this book are Ama, her mother and her pet goat, Tali.

I loved the relationship between Lakshmi and her mother. Her mother taught her to be strong, to dream. I believe her mom taught her everything she needed to know in order to be strong enough to endure what was to come.

There is so much in this book that stuck with me. Lakshmi went from a girl imprisioned but with a strong spirit “But I do not cry.” To someone who was so emotionally and physically broken that during the rape she says, “Then I understand: I was the person crying.” She wants nothing more than to hold onto her life with her mother and pet goat Tali. My absolute favorite line is this:

“Trying to remember, I have learned, is like trying to clutch a handful of fog. Trying to forget, like trying to hold back a monsoon.”

Although the subject manner was hard to read without feeling anger and sorrow at the injustice for Lakshmi and the other girls in the brothel, I'm glad that I read it. It opened my eyes to something I can't believe actually exists. show less

13-year-old Lakshmi lives in the mountains of Nepal with her mother, stepfather, and baby brother. Like most families, they are very poor, but Lakshmi is happy going to school, playing games with her friends, and tending her cucumbers, all of which she has named. Whenever her stepfather gets money, he spends it on himself or gambles it away, so that there are always things the family needs that are just out of reach. One day a woman gives him money to take Lakshmi with her. Lakshmi believes show more she is going to the city to be a maid for a rich woman, and that the money she earns will provide things her family needs, like a new tin roof. Instead, Lakshmi is taken to a brothel in Calcutta called Happiness House, where life is anything but happy for the young girls who are forced into the sex trade.

Although Lakshmi and Happiness House are fictional, they represent thousands of young Nepali girls who are victims of sex trafficking. McCormick gets the tone just right. Lakshmi's story is realistic but not overly sensational or graphic. Lakshmi experiences appalling treatment, yet she never completely loses hope of returning home. I was angry and sad for Lakshmi, but ultimately I was inspired by her inner strength, courage, and dignity. There are several organizations that work to rescue girls like Lakshmi from forced participation in the sex trade and to change or enforce laws to reduce the prevalence of sex trafficking. I can't go to India to rescue other Lakshmis, but I can donate to organizations that do.

Most teens will be mature enough to handle the subject matter, which is tastefully handled. It would be a good reading choice for raising awareness of this issue that affects so many women and girls worldwide. show less