By: Patricia McCormick New York : Hyperion 2006. Sold By: Patricia McCormick New York : Hyperion 2006. Mara Arcenal

Introduction Lakshmi is a thirteen-year-old who lives a simple life with her Ama, infant sibling, and a gambling stepfather in a Nepalese village buried deep in the Himalayan mountains. Her family’s home is devastated by a monsoon that ruins the family’s crops that they depend on for sustenance and Lakshmi’s simple life takes a claustrophobic turn. She is the oldest child which means she has to find a job to support her family. Her stepfather sells and sends her with a stranger to work as a maid in India for 800 rupees. 800 rupees = $16.35 USD

Protagonist Lakshmi Lakshmi is a young naïve Nepalese girl who lives an ordinary life, going to school and thinking of the boy she wants to marry. She loves her family deeply and was willing to help them in anyway when the monsoon hit. Her faith has grown more faithful because she remembered her mother’s words: “Simply to endure is to triumph”.

Antagonist Mumtaz She is an infamous “auntie”. An old woman who rules the brothel with cruelty. Makes sure no girl will ever pay off their family’s debt. Runs a business with no emotions involved.

Central Conflict The stranger also known as “Auntie” takes Lakshmi to a long journey through the city. They cross the border, ride the train, the bus, and then they walk. They arrive at the “Happiness House" where Lakshmi’s fate awaits her. Her life becomes one entirely of fear and pain as she works to pay for her way home amid a household full of girls without hope for a future or a life other than the one they have no matter how hard they work.

Central Conflict(continued) Lakshmi meets different types of girls, who teaches her how to avoid the wrath of Mumtaz. She meets girls who are there by choice, so they won’t have to live out on the filthy streets with their children, and she also meets a girl that is deformed because she tried to escape and was beaten by men who caught her. As months go by, Lakshmi earns money that will pay off her debt, but when she shows her calculations to Mumtaz, she makes false expenses that Lakshmi owes her and tells her that she has to work at the house at least five more years. She is disappointed, but soon meets a customer who might be able to get her out of the dirty house, but she has to decide whether to either trust this pink-skinned stranger or remain property of Mumtaz for five more years, or more.

Minor Character Pushpa’s eight-year-old son. Harish, The David Beckham boy Pushpa’s eight-year-old son. Obsessed with David Beckham and soccer. Goes to school everyday and comes home to the “Happiness House”. Offers to teach Lakshmi English and Hindi, after he catches her looking at his book.

Minor Character Lakshmi’s stepfather A lazy gambler. Ama’s, Lakshmi’s mother, second husband. Spends most of his day at the teashop gambling and conversing with other old men. Sees no value in Lakshmi. Is always willing to spend the family’s earnings on unnecessary selfish items for himself.

Minor Character Shahanna Is one of the girls who work for Mumtaz. Lakshmi’s first and best friend at the “Happiness House”. From Lakshmi’s country and she helps Lakshmi get accustomed to her new life. She helps Lakshmi go through her fears and hopes at the “Happiness House”, and to survive Mumtaz’s wrath. Gets taken away when the police raids the “Happiness House” because Mumtaz was late on her bribes to them.

What critics said: Captures the darker side of India. The author does an excellent job of describing the life of a young girl sold into sexual slavery in India. The author also keeps you guessing on what will happen next and leaves you room to imagine what happens next in the end. http://www.bhscutlass.com/ae/2009/09/10/book-review-2/

What Critics said: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201114.Sold One review, called the novel a “powerful, haunting” story. Another review said it was that realism - mixed with a beautifully simplistic style of storytelling - that led me to devour this novel in one sitting, despite the fact that every single page found a new way to break my heart. “This is one of my favorite books by far because she did not give up, and she always kept her hope and faith and it really opens up your mind and tells you what the world is really like,” says a reviewer. A reviewer who rated this book as a 5 star, "found this story to be quite exciting and intriguing. I couldn't stop once I started. This book also shows the side of the world that we don't see but only hear about it and it makes you realize that there's so much more out there but your life.” Get other reviews http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201114.Sold

What I Say This book reminds me of the movie Taken. It is about these two girls who are best friends and they decide to go on vacation in Europe. They get taken from where they were staying and they get sold into prostitution. The author wrote this book as a free verse poetry. It’s a fast read but the words are powerful. This book does an amazing job on shedding light on an ongoing tragedy that much of the world largely ignores. I was surprised at how detailed this book is. The descriptions of people were intense. The book described some of the men’s hair, the colors and shapes and the implies emotions in their faces, and the fabric and draping of their clothes. Most of the male characters were horrible to her but there were a few that were not and they made lasting impressions to her but they never returned. It’s really hard to think this really goes on in the world we live in today. After reading this book, it made me want to save those young girls who have been sold into sexual slavery. http://www.uri.edu/artsci/wms/hughes/nepal.htm