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I Am Me
Despite—or perhaps because of—her fancy car, private school education, and life of privilege, Lola Renaldi has become a volunteer junkie. Feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, visiting the elderly—if it’s a good cause, she’s done it.
Lola’s favorite stint, building affordable houses, puts her directly in the path of Rodney. He refuses to discuss why he’s doing community service, but it’s clear he’s hiding something dark about his past. As their friendship grows, Lola begins to question the true reasons for her obsessive volunteerism and her view of those she has pledged to help.
She is only beginning to understand how lucky she truly is when her life falls apart. After losing friends, her boyfriend, even Rodney, Lola finally recognizes which parts of her life she wants to hang on to and what specifically she wants to go after. But with all she’s been through, will she be able to hang onto who she wants to be? Or will she lose all that defines her?
Lola’s favorite stint, building affordable houses, puts her directly in the path of Rodney. He refuses to discuss why he’s doing community service, but it’s clear he’s hiding something dark about his past. As their friendship grows, Lola begins to question the true reasons for her obsessive volunteerism and her view of those she has pledged to help.
She is only beginning to understand how lucky she truly is when her life falls apart. After losing friends, her boyfriend, even Rodney, Lola finally recognizes which parts of her life she wants to hang on to and what specifically she wants to go after. But with all she’s been through, will she be able to hang onto who she wants to be? Or will she lose all that defines her?
194 pages, Paperback
Published March 11, 2018
7 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Kai Strand
33 books114 followersThanks for your interest in my books and me. I love talking books with readers and hope you’ll share your thoughts on my books by leaving a review and/or dropping me an email. It’s easiest to get a hold of me through my website (kaistrand.com). Perhaps you clicked on my bio to find out things about me, such as I hate to handle raw meat, I’m a wife and mother of four, a compulsive walker, and a Mozart fangirl. But since you stopped by, what I really want you to know is that I love that you read. Readers are smart, quick-witted, and usually good conversationalists—even if it’s only in their head. Introverts unite!
I write middle grade fiction because those are the most formative years of our lives. It’s when we are trying to claim our freedom, while still being restricted by rules. The things we learn in books can give us the skills to navigate that maze. I write young adult fiction because there are no limits to what message I share or how I share it. Plus young adult readers are some of the most passionate readers out there. I heart YA readers.
If you’d like an image of me as a writer, go ahead and picture me with my laptop in a quaint bookshop café, fingers flying over the keys while the words pour out of my fingertips. It’s much better than the real image of me in my pajamas with coffee breath, sinking into the me-sized crater in the couch, grumbling at my laptop when the words don’t come.
Read an interview with Kai here on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
I write middle grade fiction because those are the most formative years of our lives. It’s when we are trying to claim our freedom, while still being restricted by rules. The things we learn in books can give us the skills to navigate that maze. I write young adult fiction because there are no limits to what message I share or how I share it. Plus young adult readers are some of the most passionate readers out there. I heart YA readers.
If you’d like an image of me as a writer, go ahead and picture me with my laptop in a quaint bookshop café, fingers flying over the keys while the words pour out of my fingertips. It’s much better than the real image of me in my pajamas with coffee breath, sinking into the me-sized crater in the couch, grumbling at my laptop when the words don’t come.
Read an interview with Kai here on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 6, 2018
Lola Renaldi comes from a life of privilege and has pretty much everything she could ask for, but it still feels like she's missing something. Hence the obsessive volunteering, from building houses to feeding those in need, Lola's got a resume of volunteer jobs. Rodney is also volunteering, but he's not sharing why, though it probably has something to do with his less-than-privileged life. Lola and Rodney end up on the same job, and they don't exactly hit it off. When Lola's life begins to fall apart, it gives her a whole new perspective, one that Rodney is all too familiar with, and both their lives change as a result.
I AM ME by Kai Strand tackles a coming of age story in the character of Lola that I think every teen who comes from a privileged life should have at some point. There's a lesson here, but it's not in your face, it comes through Lola and what she learns throughout her journey in the story. There was more than your typical hate-to-love romance between Lola and Rodney that I really enjoyed.
I AM ME by Kai Strand tackles a coming of age story in the character of Lola that I think every teen who comes from a privileged life should have at some point. There's a lesson here, but it's not in your face, it comes through Lola and what she learns throughout her journey in the story. There was more than your typical hate-to-love romance between Lola and Rodney that I really enjoyed.
February 14, 2022
If only we could turn back the clock and get our priorities straight at such a young age!
April 11, 2018
I gave I Am Me a five star rating because it is full of relatable characters and situations. I felt every emotion there is to feel while reading this book. I laughed and cried, cringed and celebrated. The best thing about this book is the message...You have to read it to understand. So go read it!
July 28, 2019
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: I Am Me
Author: Kai Strand
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 19
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 19 readers:
17 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
19 felt it was easy to follow.
17 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
12 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
17 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘A bit sad. I was crying in parts. Excellent read with interesting characters.’ Girl, aged 15
‘Loved this book! Other teenage girls will probably love it too.’ Girl, aged 15
‘I like the whole volunteering bit. I thought that was really interesting. Lola is a cool character; she has a sublime life, so much so, she starts to do a lot of charity work. There, she meets Rod who is a bit of mystery to her. When Lola’s life falls apart, she must face up to her problems; problems she never faced during her life of privilege.’ Boy, aged 16
‘Lola and Rodney have lots of chemistry which I enjoyed. They don’t get on too well at first. I think this is a gripping story with an important message for teenagers.’ Girl, aged 15
‘I think this author tells an interesting story for teenagers. It is sort of a coming-of-age story but the best part is the character of Lola. She’s interesting in the way she attempts to help everybody as a result of having such a sheltered and rich life. I think the way she develops in the story is the best part. I learnt a lot from reading this and trying to understand how Lola is thinking. The author did a great job.’ Girl, aged 15
To Sum It Up:
‘A gripping YA story with a compelling message for teenagers. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: I Am Me
Author: Kai Strand
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 19
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 19 readers:
17 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
19 felt it was easy to follow.
17 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
12 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
17 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘A bit sad. I was crying in parts. Excellent read with interesting characters.’ Girl, aged 15
‘Loved this book! Other teenage girls will probably love it too.’ Girl, aged 15
‘I like the whole volunteering bit. I thought that was really interesting. Lola is a cool character; she has a sublime life, so much so, she starts to do a lot of charity work. There, she meets Rod who is a bit of mystery to her. When Lola’s life falls apart, she must face up to her problems; problems she never faced during her life of privilege.’ Boy, aged 16
‘Lola and Rodney have lots of chemistry which I enjoyed. They don’t get on too well at first. I think this is a gripping story with an important message for teenagers.’ Girl, aged 15
‘I think this author tells an interesting story for teenagers. It is sort of a coming-of-age story but the best part is the character of Lola. She’s interesting in the way she attempts to help everybody as a result of having such a sheltered and rich life. I think the way she develops in the story is the best part. I learnt a lot from reading this and trying to understand how Lola is thinking. The author did a great job.’ Girl, aged 15
To Sum It Up:
‘A gripping YA story with a compelling message for teenagers. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
September 23, 2020
I Am Me, by Kai Strand, is Lola Renaldi’s story told in the first-person present tense. Lola is a senior at an exclusive college preparatory school in Ohio. She feels pressure from everyone around her to excel. Referring to college acceptance, her mother says, “I would hate for you to miss a deadline because you’re busy playing Mother Teresa.” Every Wednesday Lola’s at a soup kitchen where she met a crotchety old man, Mr. Whitman, whom she adores. On Saturdays she volunteers for an organization like Habitat for Humanity where she helps build homes for homeless families. There she met Rod, a boy her age with a dysfunctional mother and non-existent father. Rod is fulfilling community service requirements that pique Lola’s curiosity as well as the boy’s cuteness.
Lola’s best friend, Cyn, a budding fashion designer and critique, is usually critical of Lola’s wardrobe, but she is thrilled when Jerome (Rome) Bennett returns for a visit from Ohio State University (OSU) and notices Lola. Rome, a former star football player and most popular boy at Lindsey Prep, actually wants to date Lola, a fantasy come true.
To make herself more appealing to college entrance committees Lola is also on the debating team. In one of her speeches she talks about the importance of volunteerism and actually wins a slot to speak at OSU.
Kai Strand does a superb job getting into Lola’s head and the emotions young adults experience as they make the transition from high school to college. The author also takes on societal ills like poor parenting, teen homelessness, emotional abandonment, and the benefits of volunteerism. Strand’s characters are very realistic, her settings are described beautifully, and the plot captivated this reader from first to last page.
Warning: Bring a box of tissues. I Am Me is a tearjerker.
April 21, 2018
Have you ever volunteered for an organization that helps people in need? If so, how did it make you feel? Doing for others, whether it’s providing meals, taking someone to the doctor, mowing lawns, or whatever brings joy not only to the recipient but to the volunteer as well. Or it should.
In Author Kai Strand’s latest young adult novel, I AM ME, we meet Lola Renaldi, a high school senior who has most everything a girl could want. Being wealthy doesn’t always mean being happy, however. Lola and her mother disagree on many things, like which college she should attend, which boy she should like, and how she should dress, among other things.
I like the way Lola stands up for herself, even though she sometimes has doubts about what she is doing. Lola volunteers at a kitchen where she helps serve food to those in need. She also helps build houses, where she meets Rodney, a boy who is different from the other boys she knows. He has secrets, and she cannot figure him out.
Kai Strand has created characters that are not perfect but seem so real they might be your neighbors. Lola makes mistakes. She doesn’t always know what’s best for her to do. But Lola is loyal to her best friend when she gets in trouble. And then there’s Rodney (Rod) who has stolen her heart. What will she do when she learns the truth about him?
I AM ME touches on situations that many teens face today. Perhaps Kai Strand’s novel will help them make tough decisions and see that they are “Me,” not who someone else wants them to be.
This story would make a great addition to high school libraries as well as public libraries. Recommended.
In Author Kai Strand’s latest young adult novel, I AM ME, we meet Lola Renaldi, a high school senior who has most everything a girl could want. Being wealthy doesn’t always mean being happy, however. Lola and her mother disagree on many things, like which college she should attend, which boy she should like, and how she should dress, among other things.
I like the way Lola stands up for herself, even though she sometimes has doubts about what she is doing. Lola volunteers at a kitchen where she helps serve food to those in need. She also helps build houses, where she meets Rodney, a boy who is different from the other boys she knows. He has secrets, and she cannot figure him out.
Kai Strand has created characters that are not perfect but seem so real they might be your neighbors. Lola makes mistakes. She doesn’t always know what’s best for her to do. But Lola is loyal to her best friend when she gets in trouble. And then there’s Rodney (Rod) who has stolen her heart. What will she do when she learns the truth about him?
I AM ME touches on situations that many teens face today. Perhaps Kai Strand’s novel will help them make tough decisions and see that they are “Me,” not who someone else wants them to be.
This story would make a great addition to high school libraries as well as public libraries. Recommended.
February 26, 2022
Lola Redaldi is a privileged teen. She pursues a career of volunteering rather than the field of law that her family wants. While working on her favorite project of building affordable homes she meets a young boy. He scorns her for not understanding the intensity of poverty and how she is only coating over the intense problem, never having to live the life that she thinks that she is helping. She begins to lose her self confidence. That along with an unexpected loss sends her into a spiraling melt down. Will she recover? Can she finds the missing piece that will make her whole? This is a delightful novel that may bring you to tears at point but one you will feel is truly legitimate. I highly recommend this nove and can’t wait to see what is next.
December 21, 2018
I tend more towards younger fiction than teen, but I really enjoyed this foray into the teen brain. I liked the twists in the plot and the thoughtfulness given some difficult topics. Kai Strand compares the haves and have nots in this tale and leads you down the path to deciding who actually is a have and who is really a have not.
September 8, 2018
Sweet story and characters.
April 30, 2019
I love this book. It is a positive and empowering coming of age book.
It proves not to judge a book by its cover.
It proves not to judge a book by its cover.
July 3, 2025
Lola doesn't know what she doesn't know. Just like all of us.
She want to use her privileged life to help others, but in the end it is herself she needs to help.
This book is a wonderful expose of how much we need to understand people as much as we need to help them.
I read it for free. I was compelled to buy it by the end of the book to add to my libraey. Bravo!
She want to use her privileged life to help others, but in the end it is herself she needs to help.
This book is a wonderful expose of how much we need to understand people as much as we need to help them.
I read it for free. I was compelled to buy it by the end of the book to add to my libraey. Bravo!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews