When Patricia McCormick published her novel Sold in 2006, she never imagined it would someday become one of the most challenged books in the United States.

The critically acclaimed work, which tackles the harrowing subject of child sex trafficking through the story of a 13-year-old Nepali girl named Lakshmi, was written to educate young readers about a global crisis. It was not intended to stir controversy.

“Never, and it was the opposite,” said McCormick, 69, a New York-based, award-winning author and National Book Award finalist. “It’s a story about child sex trafficking. It’s supposed to be upsetting. But it’s not pornography.”

Defending libraries

Nearly 20 years after its release, Sold has been lauded for raising awareness about human trafficking and has become a staple in clas

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