It’s no secret that here at Young Adult Books Central we LOVE YA! We live for those unique stories that have the potential to inspire and influence readers from all around the world. Kelley Powell’s novel, The Merit Birds, is one of those books!
So what makes this book extra special? Well today there is a virtual launch for what critics are calling “a fresh, gripping page-turner that takes readers on a journey through one young man’s escape from anger to a place of peace.” (Booklist, Starred Review). You can find the link to purchase The Merit Birds from Amazon HERE and by doing so, you will receive a special gift/downloads from Kelley Powell! How totally amazing and bookish is that?
First, meet Kelley’s book!
Cam is finally settling into his new life in Laos when tragedy strikes and he’s wrongfully accused of murder.
Eighteen-year-old Cam Scott is angry. He’s angry about his absent dad, he’s angry about being angry, and he’s angry that he has had to give up his Ottawa basketball team to follow his mom to her new job in Vientiane, Laos. However, Cam’s anger begins to melt under the Southeast Asian sun as he finds friendship with his neighbour, Somchai, and gradually falls in love with Nok, who teaches him about building merit, or karma, by doing good deeds, such as purchasing caged “merit birds.”
Tragedy strikes and Cam finds himself falsely accused of a crime. His freedom depends on a person he’s never met. A person who knows that the only way to restore his merit is to confess. The Merit Birds blends action, suspense, and humour in a far-off land where things seem so different, yet deep down are so much the same.
Now meet Kelley Powell!
Kelley’s writing is informed by a variety of diverse experiences, such as losing her home in a tornado and living in a one-room house with a family of six Indonesian villagers. She has worked at a home for impoverished women and children in India, on a domestic violence research project in Laos and with the Canadian government’s family violence prevention unit. She taught English in South Korea and has a Master’s degree in international development. She lives in Ottawa with her husband and three children.
So what are these fantastic prizes/downloads you will receive by purchasing the book TODAY?
1.) Full song downloads, some of which are based on the novel!
2.) Fiction that has never been shared with the public before, including Kelley’s short story that was longlisted for the 2015 CBC Short Story Prize!
3.) Sample Chapters!
4.) A recipe book featuring the characters’ favorite recipes!
5.) An audio guide to meditation!
AND MORE!!
So make sure you order your very own copy of The Merit Birds HERE and take part in this one-of-a-kind vitual launch for Kelley’s debut novel TODAY!
And after, comment below with your favorite thing included in your prize pack!
