Sold

A study done by the U.S. Department of State (2005) shows that throughout the world about one million children are sold into sexual slavery every year. Of these, Patricia McCormick’s research shows that about 12,000 are young Nepali girls who are sold into slavery by their families either intentionally or unintentionally (Author’s Note). Because of this, many girls live in a constant state of fear that they will be snatched away from their families or sold by their families into sexual slavery. In Patricia McCormick’s novel, Sold, (2006) McCormick brings the reality of this hidden horror to life through the first-person account of the young girl, Lakshmi, as she is sold by her stepfather into sexual slavery. As Lakshmi describes her experiences with the terror, pain, and unwanted surprises that come along with being a child in a brothel the reader is able to experience these emotions along with her. As a result of reading this story, students can discover the mysterious world of human trafficking and learn how seriousness of the horrendous acts that occur in this industry.