Sonita: My Fight Against Tyranny and My Escape to Freedom

2026 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION ALEX AWARD WINNER

Nearly 15 million girls, including many in the U.S., are forced into marriage each year. Each of these girls has a price tag—and a story. Sonita Alizada was almost sold twice. Her price tag was $9,000. The money her family received for selling her would pay for her brother’s wife.

The first time Sonita was put up for sale, she was 10 years old and she thought that she was participating in a dress-up game. She quickly realized that, in her c...