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weeohh's review against another edition
2.0
It's giving white saviorism.
And the poetry was lacking.
However! I found it to be a powerful perspective, harrowing, and a real call to action.
And the poetry was lacking.
However! I found it to be a powerful perspective, harrowing, and a real call to action.
frostap's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Good. Sad. I assume this is aimed at someone younger than me.
beth_zovko's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fictional version of real acounts of girls forced into prostitution in Nepal/India. Kim and I read this in one night each. The language is sparse but descriptive-each page is more like a poem than prose. It's very sad at some parts but ultimately very hopeful.
emmalemonnz's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully and skilfully written, this heartbreaking story is told simply and without being overly sentimental. The horrific brutality and incredible kindness speak for themselves. A must-read.
India has been on my bucket list since before I knew what a bucket list was.
Written for children, but still an engrossing read for adults, "Sold" by Patricia McCormick is haunting. It is a fictional account of a young Nepalese girl (12-14 years old throughout the story) who is sold to an Indian brothel called Happiness House. Despite "Sold" being fictional, there are literally millions of real life girls who live like Lakshmi.
It's a children's story, so Lakshmi gets a happy ending. While it's nice to know that that can happen, it's also important to remember that it's not the most common outcome for girls like Lakshmi.
Despite the horrific circumstances, the book is also full of kindness and friendships. It has beautiful poetic sections, and the super short chapters make it appealing to younger readers.
I will be recommending this to many of my y9-10 students, but also encourage adults to read it. It portrays the brutal reality of human trafficking and sex slavery without being graphic.
I still want to visit India. But I will go with my eyes wide open. It's easy to romanticise far-off countries. It's also easy to vilify a whole group of people based on the actions or beliefs of just a few. One day I will go, and see for myself this diverse country with its rich culture and complex history. In the meantime, will continue to raise awareness of human trafficking, sex slavery, and the power of mighty girls around the world.
India has been on my bucket list since before I knew what a bucket list was.
Written for children, but still an engrossing read for adults, "Sold" by Patricia McCormick is haunting. It is a fictional account of a young Nepalese girl (12-14 years old throughout the story) who is sold to an Indian brothel called Happiness House. Despite "Sold" being fictional, there are literally millions of real life girls who live like Lakshmi.
It's a children's story, so Lakshmi gets a happy ending. While it's nice to know that that can happen, it's also important to remember that it's not the most common outcome for girls like Lakshmi.
Despite the horrific circumstances, the book is also full of kindness and friendships. It has beautiful poetic sections, and the super short chapters make it appealing to younger readers.
I will be recommending this to many of my y9-10 students, but also encourage adults to read it. It portrays the brutal reality of human trafficking and sex slavery without being graphic.
I still want to visit India. But I will go with my eyes wide open. It's easy to romanticise far-off countries. It's also easy to vilify a whole group of people based on the actions or beliefs of just a few. One day I will go, and see for myself this diverse country with its rich culture and complex history. In the meantime, will continue to raise awareness of human trafficking, sex slavery, and the power of mighty girls around the world.
blairfrank's review against another edition
4.0
Topic: Horrifying and sadly true even to young girls in the United States. There were many times I had to set the book aside because I was so appalled and heartbroken.
Writing Style: I don't understand the point or the purpose. I don't think it elevated the story line in any way except making it a quick read as I completed the it in 24 hrs.
Writing Style: I don't understand the point or the purpose. I don't think it elevated the story line in any way except making it a quick read as I completed the it in 24 hrs.
avasisx's review against another edition
5.0
Harrowing story about an innocent 13 year old girl sold by her step father whose addicted to gambling into sex trafficking. Her and her mother believe she's being hired as a maid but the girl Lakshmi finds out the difficult way that she's being held in a brothel paying back an unpayable loan. It's a really sad story with a silver lining at the end. It really makes you think about the underground world of sex trafficking and how poor families and unwitting girls and women fall prey to it.
gemstonejasper's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This is an absolutely heartwrenching story about a young girl from Napal who is sold into sex slavery. It's told in the form of various poems. It was a really eye-opening story about a horrible topic. It was painful to read about the experiences of this young girl and others like her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, Trafficking, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Medical content, Confinement, Rape, Child death, Pedophilia, Slavery, Child abuse, Classism, and Drug abuse