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A novel of murder, mystery and redemption in the slums of Haiti with two remarkable children in the lead
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Synopsis
Ten-year-old orphan Libète has been hardened by the daily struggle to survive in Cité Soleil, Haiti’s most infamous slum. But when she and her best friend, Jak, discover a young mother and her baby brutally murdered in a nearby marsh, it’s unlike anything she’s encountered before. Though initially shocked, the adults of Cité Soleil move on quickly from the event; after all, death is commonplace in this community. Undaunted, Libète takes action with Jak in tow, plunging herself into a dangerous, far-reaching plot that will change her irrevocably and threaten everything she holds dear.
Because We Are is a profound and mesmerizing tale of a young girl’s search for justice in an unjust world, set against the vivid and tumultuous backdrop of modern-day Haiti.
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Why should I read Because We Are?Libéte--the main character (pictured on the cover). The book is really about her struggles against staggering difficulty and danger to solve a grisly murder. The story uses flashbacks to weave together a complex narrative of intersecting themes, characters and events that make her life just as fascinating as the underlying mystery. Why is Libéte who she is? What transformed her from a sweet little girl into such a firecracker? What gives her such resolve to reach the mystery's end? Jumping between past and present begs new questions that drive the narrative forward as you discover more and more about this remarkable little girl.
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Click here to learn more about Libéte and Jak
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What other books is Because We Are like?
What other books is Because We Are like?It might be better to ask what my inspirations in writing were. Cry, the Beloved Country. What is the What. To Kill A Mockingbird. Native Son. The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. A Thousand Splendid Suns. A Taste of Salt. The Dew Breaker.
These are all a part of the book's DNA, making it the unique read it is. So what's Because We Are really about?
Friendship. The struggle for justice in the face of impunity. Sacrifice for the community. Personal responsibility. Faith and doubt in light of tragedy. The foolishness of scarcity in a world of plenty.
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Is Because We Are a "nonprofit novel"?
Because We Are started as a self-published "nonprofit novel" where net proceeds were donated to development and human rights organizations working in Haiti. With the book's acquisition by Thomas & Mercer, Amazon Publishing's mystery and thriller imprint, it is no longer a nonprofit venture, though all author's royalties are still donated to organizations like these making a positive impact in Haiti:
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*Use of these organizations' logos is not meant to imply their endorsement of the book.
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