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Sold book cover

Sold

by Patricia McCormick

Turtleback 2006

★★★★★

Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade

Reading level 5 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+

5th grade English
272
Pages
5
AR Points
3.3h
Read time
AR Quiz Available
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National Book Award Finalist (Young People’s Literature)ALA Best Books for Young AdultsBooklist Editors’ ChoicePublishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

Genre

Realistic Fiction

Themes

  • human trafficking
  • resilience
  • hope
  • family bonds
  • injustice
  • survival
  • courage
  • human rights

About this book

Told in spare, powerful free verse, Sold follows Lakshmi, a girl from rural Nepal who is deceived and trafficked to India. The narrative offers an age-appropriate, sensitive window into a difficult subject while centering Lakshmi’s courage and hope. Strong writing and short chapters make it highly readable for teens, and its emotional depth sparks thoughtful discussion. Best suited for mature high school readers.

Setting: rural Nepal and urban India (Kolkata), contemporary

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sold right for my child?

It depends — here's what to consider for Sold. The reading level is AR 5, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include human trafficking, resilience, hope.

How long does it take to read Sold?

At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Sold takes around 3.3h to finish. The book has 33,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does Sold have an AR quiz?

Yes — Sold has an AR quiz available, worth 5 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.

What grade level is Sold?

Sold has an AR reading level of 5, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.