Sold

by Patricia McCormick

  This book could not have been written without the help of Ruchira Gupta and Anuradha Konala, who paved the way for me to visit the Maiti Nepal shelter for women and children in Kathmandu; the village of Goldhunga in the Himalayas; the Apne Aan women’s center in Calcutta; and the Deepika Social Welfare Center for Women and Children in the red-light district of Calcutta. I’m also grateful to P.L. Singh, G.P. Thapa, and Harish Rao, who guided me on my travels, and to Luna Ranjit, who fact-checked this book so diligently. My deepest thanks go to the real Shahanna, who was my guardian angel in the red-light district of Calcutta, and who gave me her strength and wisdom when I needed it most.

  I am also grateful to the New York Foundation for the Arts for its award of a fellowship in support of this project.

  Most of all, I am grateful to my family—Meaghan and Matt, Brandon and Kelly, and, of course, Paul—who show me the power of love to change everything.

  To research Sold PATRICIA McCORMICK traveled to India and Nepal, where she interviewed the women of Calcutta’s red-light district and girls who have been rescued from the sex trade. She is also the author of the acclaimed novels Cut and My Brother’s Keeper.

  Visit Patricia’s Web site at

  www.pattymccormick.com