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Summer is only a month away, but things aren’t going according to plan for fifteen-year-old Nick Bannerman. Nick dreams of making it big in music, and summer means scoring a deal for his band, mega parties, surfing in Tofino—and not much else. His best friend, Trevor, wants him to spend the summer with him in Africa building a school with a changemaker organization, but Nick isn’t at all interested. Unlike Trevor, Nick has no interest in global activism, volunteering, or physical labour. So how does a teen like Nick, intent on being a famous rock star, end up in Thailand volunteering at an elephant refuge?
Meanwhile, in glimpses from Africa, Trevor learns about Kenyan culture and language from twelve-year-old local boy Kito, and encounters child soldiers who threaten the young boy’s family. Back at the refuge, Nick meets sixteen-year-old Camila, an intimidating and self-assured local girl who wants to be a mahout, even though local tradition won’t allow it. When Nick encounters an extreme animal rights activist, drugged tigers, and rampaging elephants, will he have the courage to act and care about more than just himself? Themes: elephants, global activism, animal rights and welfare, social activism, volunteering, feminism and female empowerment, coming of age, and the complex and controversial topic of elephant captivity. |
ISBN: 978-1-9992416-8-1 Price:$14.95
Release Date March 15, 2021 Pre-sales available Sept 15, 2020 |
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All about the Author
LS Stone has loved animals since childhood and is passionate about animal rights and welfare, and social justice. She also loves exciting adventure travel and has trekked the Himalayas in Nepal, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, and volunteered at an elephant refuge in Thailand. She received a BA in Creative Writing at Vancouver Island University and previous publications include Breaking Boundaries: LGBTQ2 Writers on Coming Out and into Canada. This is her first novel. LS Stone lives in Canada on Vancouver Island with her partner and three dogs, and is planning her next big adventure. https://lsstone.weebly.com/ |
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Reviews
"I felt transported with Nick and Camila to beautiful Thailand for this fun and exciting elephant adventure that had me grinning in delight or transfixed on the edge of my seat. LS Stone’s writing is full of humour, but doesn’t shy away from shining a light on complicated topics like elephant captivity and tourism, and female rights and empowerment. A mesmerizing first novel for LS Stone." — Chantal Hughes, Author
"What’s in it for Me? is a perfect fit for entertaining young readers while introducing them to important topics of animal welfare, social justice, and global activism. I also really appreciated the depiction of Camila, the strong, self-assured female character. Once I started reading, I didn’t want to put the book down!" — Lisa King, Teacher/Librarian
"I felt transported with Nick and Camila to beautiful Thailand for this fun and exciting elephant adventure that had me grinning in delight or transfixed on the edge of my seat. LS Stone’s writing is full of humour, but doesn’t shy away from shining a light on complicated topics like elephant captivity and tourism, and female rights and empowerment. A mesmerizing first novel for LS Stone." — Chantal Hughes, Author
"What’s in it for Me? is a perfect fit for entertaining young readers while introducing them to important topics of animal welfare, social justice, and global activism. I also really appreciated the depiction of Camila, the strong, self-assured female character. Once I started reading, I didn’t want to put the book down!" — Lisa King, Teacher/Librarian
