(4) 4-6 Girls of Many Lands series. Twelve-year-old Laleena (her name is later changed) unknowingly sells herself into slavery in order to provide for her fatherless family. She ends up in the Sultan's harem in Istanbul, where she works in the gardens and teaches painting. The promising plot lacks tension and aspects of harem life aren't satisfactorily explained, but the intriguing setting and realistic characters will draw in readers. An author's note provides background. Glos.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman