Hidden Girl: The True Story of a Modern-Day Child Slave

Hidden Girl is a powerful and moving memoir by Shyima Hall, a young woman who endured child slavery but rebuilt her life through courage and a pursuit of justice.

At just eight years old, Shyima was sold by her struggling parents to repay a debt. By the age of ten, she was illegally brought to Orange County, California, by the affluent family that had purchased her. Forced to work for them under grueling conditions—eighteen hours a day, seven days a week—her ordeal continued until she was rescued at age twelve after a neighbor’s anonymous tip led to her freedom.

However, escaping slavery was only the beginning. Determined to make a difference, Shyima began volunteering with her local police department during her teen years. Now a U.S. citizen, she is committed to raising awareness about human trafficking and dreams of becoming an immigration officer to help protect others from exploitation.

In Hidden Girl, Shyima shares her honest and inspiring story of resilience, shining a light on the realities of modern-day slavery and the strength it takes to rise above it.