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I Am Kavi
Caught between two worlds—a poverty-stricken village and a fancy big-city school—a young Sri Lankan girl must decide who she really is and where she really belongs.
1998, Colombo. The Sri Lankan Civil War is raging, but everyday life must go on. At Kavi’s school, her friends talk about the weekly Top 40, the Backstreet Boys, Shahrukh Khan, Leo & Kate… and who died—or didn’t—in the latest bombing. But Kavi is afraid of something even scarier than war. She fears that if her friends discover her secret—that she is not who she is pretending to be—they’ll stop talking to her.
I want to be friends with these / happy, / fearless, / girls / who look like they / belong.
So I could also be / happy, / fearless, / and maybe even / belong.
Kavi’s scholarship to her elite new school was supposed to be everything she ever wanted, but as she tries to find some semblance of normalcy in a country on fire, nothing is going according to plan. In an effort to fit in with her wealthy, glittering, and self-assured new classmates, Kavi begins telling lies, trading her old life—where she’s a poor girl whose mother has chosen a new husband over her daughter—for a new one, where she’s rich, loved, and wanted. But how long can you pretend to be someone else?
This dazzling novel-in-verse comes from an astonishing new talent who lived through the civil war herself. Perfect for fans of Jamine Warga, Supriya Kelkar, and Rajani LaRocca, I Am Kavi centers a powerful South Asian voice, and stars an unforgettable heroine each and every one of us can relate to.
"KAVI'S COURAGE AND VOICE ARE NOT TO BE MISSED."—Reem Faruqi, award-winning author of Call Me Adnan, Unsettled, and Golden Girl
"TRIUMPHANT."—Dan Gemeinhart, #1 NYT bestselling author of The Midnight Children
"I LOVED IT!"—Nizrana Farook, award-winning author of The Girl Who Stole an Elephant
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
An Indies Introduce Selection
An Indies Next Pick
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Middle Grade Magic Selection
A Children's Book Council Hot off the Presses Selection
1998, Colombo. The Sri Lankan Civil War is raging, but everyday life must go on. At Kavi’s school, her friends talk about the weekly Top 40, the Backstreet Boys, Shahrukh Khan, Leo & Kate… and who died—or didn’t—in the latest bombing. But Kavi is afraid of something even scarier than war. She fears that if her friends discover her secret—that she is not who she is pretending to be—they’ll stop talking to her.
I want to be friends with these / happy, / fearless, / girls / who look like they / belong.
So I could also be / happy, / fearless, / and maybe even / belong.
Kavi’s scholarship to her elite new school was supposed to be everything she ever wanted, but as she tries to find some semblance of normalcy in a country on fire, nothing is going according to plan. In an effort to fit in with her wealthy, glittering, and self-assured new classmates, Kavi begins telling lies, trading her old life—where she’s a poor girl whose mother has chosen a new husband over her daughter—for a new one, where she’s rich, loved, and wanted. But how long can you pretend to be someone else?
This dazzling novel-in-verse comes from an astonishing new talent who lived through the civil war herself. Perfect for fans of Jamine Warga, Supriya Kelkar, and Rajani LaRocca, I Am Kavi centers a powerful South Asian voice, and stars an unforgettable heroine each and every one of us can relate to.
"KAVI'S COURAGE AND VOICE ARE NOT TO BE MISSED."—Reem Faruqi, award-winning author of Call Me Adnan, Unsettled, and Golden Girl
"TRIUMPHANT."—Dan Gemeinhart, #1 NYT bestselling author of The Midnight Children
"I LOVED IT!"—Nizrana Farook, award-winning author of The Girl Who Stole an Elephant
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
An Indies Introduce Selection
An Indies Next Pick
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Middle Grade Magic Selection
A Children's Book Council Hot off the Presses Selection
219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2023
11 people are currently reading
620 people want to read
About the author
Thushanthi Ponweera
3 books38 followersThushanthi Ponweera is an author and poet from Sri Lanka. Before daring to follow her dream of being published, she was a marketing specialist and entrepreneur. Her writing reflects the frustration she feels at the inequality and injustice she sees around her and the deep love she has for her island home.
Her debut middle-grade novel-in-verse, I Am Kavi (Holiday House), was named one of Bank Street's Best Children's Books for 2023 and an Honor title from the South Asia Book Award. Her published picture books include My Best Friend's Bangles (S&S BFYR) and the nonfiction biography, Crossing The Finish Line (Union Square Kids), both illustrated by Maithili Joshi. All her books are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard titles.
After having lived all her life in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thushanthi recently moved to Doha, Qatar where she lives with her husband and two children.
Her debut middle-grade novel-in-verse, I Am Kavi (Holiday House), was named one of Bank Street's Best Children's Books for 2023 and an Honor title from the South Asia Book Award. Her published picture books include My Best Friend's Bangles (S&S BFYR) and the nonfiction biography, Crossing The Finish Line (Union Square Kids), both illustrated by Maithili Joshi. All her books are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard titles.
After having lived all her life in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thushanthi recently moved to Doha, Qatar where she lives with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
July 26, 2023
4.5 stars
★★★★★
wow, this book is truly beautiful. it's the kind of peace that comes with growing up, and there's a certain truth to that. reading this book was fairly easy, it was quick and short—perfect for younger audiences. and the prose is just another tool the author uses to draw you into kavi's world. and this was a middle grade book set in the global south so it has a special place in my heart 💛 kavi's journey might be just another person in the world, but it truly felt unique. from her being a scholarship student to wanting to be like the other girls & her coming on terms with her family, this novel was a joy to read!
— thank you NetGalley and Holiday House, for presenting me with an arc of this book in exchange for a honest review. all opinions are my own.
★★★★★
wow, this book is truly beautiful. it's the kind of peace that comes with growing up, and there's a certain truth to that. reading this book was fairly easy, it was quick and short—perfect for younger audiences. and the prose is just another tool the author uses to draw you into kavi's world. and this was a middle grade book set in the global south so it has a special place in my heart 💛 kavi's journey might be just another person in the world, but it truly felt unique. from her being a scholarship student to wanting to be like the other girls & her coming on terms with her family, this novel was a joy to read!
— thank you NetGalley and Holiday House, for presenting me with an arc of this book in exchange for a honest review. all opinions are my own.
September 27, 2023
I Am Kavi is a touching verse novel about a young girl adapting to changes in her world and finding her voice amidst the Sri Lankan civil war. This is a gentler, introspective middle grade novel (as many verse novels tend to be) that showcases an important period in a country’s history even as a young girl comes of age. I’d hand this to fans of touching verse novels with a strong sense of place and time, like In the Beautiful Country and Red, White and Whole.
Full review with content warnings: https://readingmiddlegrade.com/i-am-k...
Full review with content warnings: https://readingmiddlegrade.com/i-am-k...
April 29, 2023
Set during the Sri Lankan Civil War in 1998, I am Kavi follows a Sri Lankan girl from a small village who wins a scholarship to attend a prestigious school in the city. And the story's depth is only increased by the verse the author employs.
At home, it's less than a year since her wounded veteran father died, and her mother has remarried his best friend. Kavi sees this scholarship as a way out for herself and her mother.
But when her mother tells Kavi she can't accompany her to the new school because she's pregnant, Kavi is devastated.
Feeling unloved, and unnoticed, she is determined to connect with the popular rich girls in her new school. As deception piles on top of deception, Kavi's teetering attempt at prestige faces stressor after stressor. But when she's asked to cheat to help her new friends out everything she's worked so hard to build threatens to come crashing down.
This story is rich in character and culture. I couldn't help rooting for Kavi as she tried to find acceptance. I hope this is the first of many beautiful stories from this new Sri Lankan author!
At home, it's less than a year since her wounded veteran father died, and her mother has remarried his best friend. Kavi sees this scholarship as a way out for herself and her mother.
But when her mother tells Kavi she can't accompany her to the new school because she's pregnant, Kavi is devastated.
Feeling unloved, and unnoticed, she is determined to connect with the popular rich girls in her new school. As deception piles on top of deception, Kavi's teetering attempt at prestige faces stressor after stressor. But when she's asked to cheat to help her new friends out everything she's worked so hard to build threatens to come crashing down.
This story is rich in character and culture. I couldn't help rooting for Kavi as she tried to find acceptance. I hope this is the first of many beautiful stories from this new Sri Lankan author!
December 8, 2023
As a Tamil person, I've been hesitant to read historical (fiction) books set in Sri Lanka, but after reading Shehan Karunatilaka's novel "The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida," I started to explore books by Sinhalese authors. Since I wasn't born in Sri Lanka, I use books as an opportunity to understand different perspectives.
I am aware that no story is void of bias, especially if you're writing about something you've lived through. However, I am quite disappointed in the carelessness of the writing and publishing team with respect to historical fact-checking. The incomplete history that was included after the story ruined my otherwise positive experience with this book.
Thushanthi Ponweera's debut 'I am Kavi' is coming of age, middle-grade fiction written in first-person prose. It depicts a young Kavi living in Sri Lanka during the late 1990s. Kavi grapples with new changes in her family—loss and the emergence of new family members. The way she responds to these changes is written so perfectly through the mind of a young child. Similarly, when moving to a new school, Ponweera depicts the universal challenges of fitting in and navigating peer pressure. On top of that, Ponweera discusses the themes of class and insecurity with much sensitivity. The verse is very easy to read and suitable for a young audience. As a story, this was a fantastic debut! I enjoyed the story until I came across the extra chapter called "The Sri Lankan Civil War."
Overall, if I were to ignore the historical context of I am Kavi, I quite enjoyed Kavi's story. However, is it ever possible to critique a political book with an apolitical lens? I understand that it is nearly impossible to write a story that is completely void of bias, and the author herself admits that there may be some 'unconscious bias' in her work. However, when including a chapter that claims to provide historical context, they could have simply included more statistics and events instead of completely reducing the oppression faced by Tamil people living in Sri Lanka to a few meager sentences. Ponweera starts the history of Sri Lanka chapter 2,500 years ago but then conveniently skips right to 1983. This omission completely disregards the brutalities faced by Tamil people, including the burning of the Jaffna Library. I am sure that an author and a publishing house understand the importance of books and the gravity of this event. I am aware that what happened in Sri Lanka has been historically referred to as a "civil war," but of late, countries like Canada have started to recognize the oppression and injustice faced by Tamil people as a genocide (https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/statemen...). The massacre in Mullivaikal has been forgotten and it is summarized as "the Sri Lankan millitary defeated the Tamil Tigers."
Given that I am Kavi is a middle-grade book intended for a global audience who may not be familiar with the events that took place in Sri Lanka, it is crucial that the authors, editors, publishers, and entire writing team do extensive research.
Thank you to Holiday House Books for the finished copy in exchange for an honest review.
I am aware that no story is void of bias, especially if you're writing about something you've lived through. However, I am quite disappointed in the carelessness of the writing and publishing team with respect to historical fact-checking. The incomplete history that was included after the story ruined my otherwise positive experience with this book.
Thushanthi Ponweera's debut 'I am Kavi' is coming of age, middle-grade fiction written in first-person prose. It depicts a young Kavi living in Sri Lanka during the late 1990s. Kavi grapples with new changes in her family—loss and the emergence of new family members. The way she responds to these changes is written so perfectly through the mind of a young child. Similarly, when moving to a new school, Ponweera depicts the universal challenges of fitting in and navigating peer pressure. On top of that, Ponweera discusses the themes of class and insecurity with much sensitivity. The verse is very easy to read and suitable for a young audience. As a story, this was a fantastic debut! I enjoyed the story until I came across the extra chapter called "The Sri Lankan Civil War."
Overall, if I were to ignore the historical context of I am Kavi, I quite enjoyed Kavi's story. However, is it ever possible to critique a political book with an apolitical lens? I understand that it is nearly impossible to write a story that is completely void of bias, and the author herself admits that there may be some 'unconscious bias' in her work. However, when including a chapter that claims to provide historical context, they could have simply included more statistics and events instead of completely reducing the oppression faced by Tamil people living in Sri Lanka to a few meager sentences. Ponweera starts the history of Sri Lanka chapter 2,500 years ago but then conveniently skips right to 1983. This omission completely disregards the brutalities faced by Tamil people, including the burning of the Jaffna Library. I am sure that an author and a publishing house understand the importance of books and the gravity of this event. I am aware that what happened in Sri Lanka has been historically referred to as a "civil war," but of late, countries like Canada have started to recognize the oppression and injustice faced by Tamil people as a genocide (https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/statemen...). The massacre in Mullivaikal has been forgotten and it is summarized as "the Sri Lankan millitary defeated the Tamil Tigers."
Given that I am Kavi is a middle-grade book intended for a global audience who may not be familiar with the events that took place in Sri Lanka, it is crucial that the authors, editors, publishers, and entire writing team do extensive research.
Thank you to Holiday House Books for the finished copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 17, 2023
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences my review.
Content notes:
This was really good. I knew nothing about the Sri Lankan civil war prior to picking this up, and I’m very glad this book gave me an opportunity to learn something new. But also I really loved Kavi and her story of trying to figure out who she is in a new space surrounded with people with more privilege and access to things than she’s known in her little village. I really loved her journey of standing up for what she believes in and learning that a lot of her early perceptions, especially of her Amma and Siripala, weren’t wholly accurate. A really good story and I look forward to seeing more from this author.
Content notes:
This was really good. I knew nothing about the Sri Lankan civil war prior to picking this up, and I’m very glad this book gave me an opportunity to learn something new. But also I really loved Kavi and her story of trying to figure out who she is in a new space surrounded with people with more privilege and access to things than she’s known in her little village. I really loved her journey of standing up for what she believes in and learning that a lot of her early perceptions, especially of her Amma and Siripala, weren’t wholly accurate. A really good story and I look forward to seeing more from this author.
May 22, 2023
This Sri Lankan take on rags-to-riches is ripe with emotion. Kavi's inner struggles are universally relatable, while the setting is distinct and easy-to-picture. The verse flows perfectly, giving us just the details we need to experience the story through Kavi's eyes--and heart!
I was honored to receive an e-ARC of this story and look forward to the arrival of my own copy.
I was honored to receive an e-ARC of this story and look forward to the arrival of my own copy.
July 9, 2023
What a stunning historical fiction book in verse! I loved how Thushanthi was able to weave a story illustrating civil war in Sri Lanka as well as a story of a teenage girl living and making my mistakes, but also growing and loving. I loved watching Kavi grow throughout the book. The poetry was also really beautiful-I highlighted many lines!
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November 2, 2023"But, as an adult, I learned that growing up so immune to war, as we did, is not normal. It just felt normal at the time." --Thushanthi Ponweera
Set in the late 90s, during the Sri Lankan Civil War (which the author lived through as well), this debut MG in verse is a slice-of-life look at Kavi's transition from being the best student at her village school in the Anuradhapura District to earning a scholarship to a prestigious school in Colombo, where her new friends are all rich and Kavi is trying to pretend she is not living with her aunt (a maid).
Even though the war is very much present in the book - bombs go off, Kavi's father loses a leg - the story mostly focuses on kids attempting to live their normal lives amidst the violent turmoil.
The Sri Lankan Civil War didn't end until 2009, and there is still a lot we don't know because, as Ponweera mentions in her notes, social media and the internet as we know it now didn't even exist for most of it, and the "official" news was censored.
She writes:
"The cost of war goes beyond the numbers. How do you measure the value of a human life? [...] At the time of writing, it's been 12 years since the war ended. Neither side has claimed accountability for the human rights violations and war crimes committed."
Kavi is ten in the novel, and I would definitely recommend this book as a conversation starter for adults of upper elementary and lower middle school students, especially those wanting to help their kiddos better understand the day to day reality of the people living through the conflicts, wars, genocides they might see on socials or tv.
I look forward to seeing what else Thushanthi Ponweera writes.
Set in the late 90s, during the Sri Lankan Civil War (which the author lived through as well), this debut MG in verse is a slice-of-life look at Kavi's transition from being the best student at her village school in the Anuradhapura District to earning a scholarship to a prestigious school in Colombo, where her new friends are all rich and Kavi is trying to pretend she is not living with her aunt (a maid).
Even though the war is very much present in the book - bombs go off, Kavi's father loses a leg - the story mostly focuses on kids attempting to live their normal lives amidst the violent turmoil.
The Sri Lankan Civil War didn't end until 2009, and there is still a lot we don't know because, as Ponweera mentions in her notes, social media and the internet as we know it now didn't even exist for most of it, and the "official" news was censored.
She writes:
"The cost of war goes beyond the numbers. How do you measure the value of a human life? [...] At the time of writing, it's been 12 years since the war ended. Neither side has claimed accountability for the human rights violations and war crimes committed."
Kavi is ten in the novel, and I would definitely recommend this book as a conversation starter for adults of upper elementary and lower middle school students, especially those wanting to help their kiddos better understand the day to day reality of the people living through the conflicts, wars, genocides they might see on socials or tv.
I look forward to seeing what else Thushanthi Ponweera writes.
May 30, 2023
This is a beautifully written novel in verse with a main character who is so relatable as she strives to fit in with her peers and find her place in her new school, all while struggling to break free from a life of poverty in the midst of the war in Sri Lanka. Kavi is the smartest girl in her village, and after her father passes away and her mother finds new love, she has the opportunity to attend school in the city. She wants to belong and befriend the girls she most admires, and she pretends to be someone she's not in order to do so. This book is filled with nuance, well-rounded characters, and universal themes. I flew through the pages because I was so caught up in the story and wanted to see what would happen, but now I'll go back and read it again to enjoy the lovely poetry. I look forward to seeing more from this gifted author.
August 15, 2023
I don't think I've ever read a middle-grade book set in the late '90s. What nostalgia for me! Spice Girls, Titanic, Dawson's Creek, banana clips! The author's note explained how she used her own experience growing up in Sri Lanka to inform Kavi's story, which is told in free verse. That makes this a very quick read.
This is a bridge-building book. Even though Kavi grows up in a poor rural community in a country that's in the throes of a civil war, she experiences all of the same teen issues that seem to be universal among the human race. Above all, she's struggling to know her place. She's very relatable, and even the bad stuff she does seems completely within reach of what a normal teen would do under pressure.
The book opens with Kavi getting the chance of a lifetime—to leave her poor community for the bustling city of Columbo, where she'll attend one of the best high schools in the country on scholarship (for free)! But, she must leave her mother behind—this relationship is beautifully complicated.
When she arrives, she immediately feels the pressure to fit in—not with the other scholarship students who are at the bottom of the social hierarchy. With the cool kids. She's willing to do just about anything to be accepted. She's straddling two worlds, which is the quintessential theme for all teen books, since teens have one foot in childhood and the other in adulthood, and they're not sure to which world they belong.
Overall, this was a beautiful, emotional book that rang true for me. Looking forward to the author's next release!
This is a bridge-building book. Even though Kavi grows up in a poor rural community in a country that's in the throes of a civil war, she experiences all of the same teen issues that seem to be universal among the human race. Above all, she's struggling to know her place. She's very relatable, and even the bad stuff she does seems completely within reach of what a normal teen would do under pressure.
The book opens with Kavi getting the chance of a lifetime—to leave her poor community for the bustling city of Columbo, where she'll attend one of the best high schools in the country on scholarship (for free)! But, she must leave her mother behind—this relationship is beautifully complicated.
When she arrives, she immediately feels the pressure to fit in—not with the other scholarship students who are at the bottom of the social hierarchy. With the cool kids. She's willing to do just about anything to be accepted. She's straddling two worlds, which is the quintessential theme for all teen books, since teens have one foot in childhood and the other in adulthood, and they're not sure to which world they belong.
Overall, this was a beautiful, emotional book that rang true for me. Looking forward to the author's next release!
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August 7, 2023Thank you to Edelweiss+ and Holiday House for an eARC of this book.
I love reading books that take place in countries not frequently seen in middle-grade fiction. I Am Kavi is a historical novel in verse set in Sri Lanka in 1998 during the civil war. Kavi moves from a small village to the city of Colombo to go to school, where she desperately wants to fit in with her new classmates. She pretends her family has money and takes on a new persona, aided by the daughter of the wealthy family for whom her aunt cleans. Kavi knows she’s living a lie, and when she goes too far to impress her new friends, everything backfires, and she’s faced with the harsh reality of who she is and who she wants to be.
I most enjoyed watching Kavi grow from a girl with stars in her eyes to one who values who she is. There’s great material to discuss the theme of economic inequality as we see Kavi straddle two very different worlds and how to find the courage to stand up to those who have a higher social standing. Kavi also struggles to accept her mother’s new partner, and his presence affects Kavi’s relationship with her mom. The verse format works well for this story, and I would hand it to readers who enjoy stories such as Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed, Orange for the Sunsets by Tina Athaide or Girl of the Southern Seas by Michelle Kadarusman.
I love reading books that take place in countries not frequently seen in middle-grade fiction. I Am Kavi is a historical novel in verse set in Sri Lanka in 1998 during the civil war. Kavi moves from a small village to the city of Colombo to go to school, where she desperately wants to fit in with her new classmates. She pretends her family has money and takes on a new persona, aided by the daughter of the wealthy family for whom her aunt cleans. Kavi knows she’s living a lie, and when she goes too far to impress her new friends, everything backfires, and she’s faced with the harsh reality of who she is and who she wants to be.
I most enjoyed watching Kavi grow from a girl with stars in her eyes to one who values who she is. There’s great material to discuss the theme of economic inequality as we see Kavi straddle two very different worlds and how to find the courage to stand up to those who have a higher social standing. Kavi also struggles to accept her mother’s new partner, and his presence affects Kavi’s relationship with her mom. The verse format works well for this story, and I would hand it to readers who enjoy stories such as Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed, Orange for the Sunsets by Tina Athaide or Girl of the Southern Seas by Michelle Kadarusman.
February 10, 2024
I really enjoyed this book in verse that tackles themes of friendship, peer pressure, class, and family all set in Sri Lanka during the civil war. I found the biases in the story regarding the Tamils acceptable since you would expect to see them in a story of kids who are insulated in their own cultures. It became incredibly problematic for me, though, when the author decided to include her own history of the conflict wherein she describes the Tamil Tigers as terrorists (not saying they weren’t just pointing out the lack of balance and the bias here) with a description of their tactics. Those fighting for Sri Lanka were described as heroes defending their country out of patriotism or for money. A very brief mention is made of “alleged war crimes” by the Sri Lankan forces—something that is well enough documented that it is broadly accepted within human rights orgs (some of whom tend toward calling this a genocide perpetrated by Sri Lanka against the Tamils). Just really poorly and disappointingly done.
August 3, 2023
Thank you Netgalley and Holiday House for this arc! My opinions are my own.
Written in verse, I am Kavi follows a girl, who grew up in poverty, get the opportunity of a lifetime. Kavi is the top of her class in her small-town school. When she gets the chance to move to the big city to go to one of the top schools in Sri Lanka, she takes it. Moving away from her mother and her stepfather who she believes moved on without her, Kavi deals with the ups and downs of growing up in Sri Lanka’s largest city, Colombo.
This book was beautifully written and heartfelt. Kavi is an incredibly bright young girl, who I just wanted to hug and tell her everything will be ok. The blend of Kavi’s story with handling the Sri Lankan Civil War was very well done. The author's note gave me more perspective into the thought process behind the blend of the two. For many, like the author herself, the war didn’t affect too much of their day to day lives and was just a norm. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that was surrendering a war that didn’t completely affect the characters. Of course, for many that is unfortunately the case, but it’s nice to see a story from a different perspective of war.
Regardless of where you come from, this story is extremely relatable. We have all felt unloved or felt the need to be liked at one point in our lives. This is an important story to share with young readers and I hope many pick this one up. I highly recommend it! I look forward to seeing what Thushanthi Ponweera writes next!
Written in verse, I am Kavi follows a girl, who grew up in poverty, get the opportunity of a lifetime. Kavi is the top of her class in her small-town school. When she gets the chance to move to the big city to go to one of the top schools in Sri Lanka, she takes it. Moving away from her mother and her stepfather who she believes moved on without her, Kavi deals with the ups and downs of growing up in Sri Lanka’s largest city, Colombo.
This book was beautifully written and heartfelt. Kavi is an incredibly bright young girl, who I just wanted to hug and tell her everything will be ok. The blend of Kavi’s story with handling the Sri Lankan Civil War was very well done. The author's note gave me more perspective into the thought process behind the blend of the two. For many, like the author herself, the war didn’t affect too much of their day to day lives and was just a norm. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that was surrendering a war that didn’t completely affect the characters. Of course, for many that is unfortunately the case, but it’s nice to see a story from a different perspective of war.
Regardless of where you come from, this story is extremely relatable. We have all felt unloved or felt the need to be liked at one point in our lives. This is an important story to share with young readers and I hope many pick this one up. I highly recommend it! I look forward to seeing what Thushanthi Ponweera writes next!
November 2, 2023
I think this book is the stellar definition of harmful representation. For those who do not know the context - what is often referred to as the Sri Lankan 'civil war' was a brutal and horrific genocide that the Sri Lankan government carried out against the Tamil people in the country.
It is absolutely DISGUSTING how the author does not mention this but frames the story in the context of a 'civil war.' The author disregards the significance of the genocide against the Tamil people. For those who try to deny the genocide - countries like Canada and various human rights organizations have already recognized it as so.
I understand that many reviewers may not know the context. Still, it is frustrating to see this lauded as great representation when it is a harmful and inaccurate representation of Sri Lankan history.
Anu's review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... sums up so many of my thoughts.
The epitome of 'be careful what you wish for' because I'd rather have no representation than such a callous representation and ignorance of genocide.
It is absolutely DISGUSTING how the author does not mention this but frames the story in the context of a 'civil war.' The author disregards the significance of the genocide against the Tamil people. For those who try to deny the genocide - countries like Canada and various human rights organizations have already recognized it as so.
I understand that many reviewers may not know the context. Still, it is frustrating to see this lauded as great representation when it is a harmful and inaccurate representation of Sri Lankan history.
Anu's review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... sums up so many of my thoughts.
The epitome of 'be careful what you wish for' because I'd rather have no representation than such a callous representation and ignorance of genocide.
November 22, 2023
okay so as a coming of age novel, it was beautiful, kavi's development though out the book was something you'd look out for. however, the free verse did bother me, making me feel like there were gaps left in the story and I read a few reviews by tamil readers saying the historical background of this book is quite biased and an erasure of the violence tamil people faced back during those times ( maybe ive to read more about sri lankan history and get back to it )
August 16, 2025
I have mixed feelings on this one. On the one hand...I'm so glad this book exists. I learned about the civil war in Sri Lanka and I think it has some valuable lessons about growing up, making friends, being true to yourself, etc. But my personal reading experience was just kinda...meh. I never really got into this or felt invested in the story.
August 7, 2023
Another beautiful middle grade novel in verse that is a must read!
I’m sad to say I wasn’t familiar with The Sri Lanken Civil War prior to reading this but am so thankful that a middle grade has touched upon the topic. The novel takes place in 1998 Colombo. A coming of age story about finding peace with yourself, fitting in and starting a new school. Kavi grew up in a small village and received a scholarship to a school in the city… taking on a new persona to fit in with her peers, her lies quickly escalate and soon backfire.
The book is full of character and culture. I think young readers will gravitate toward Kavi’s bravery and the beautiful way the author has laid out the text!
Thank you Holiday House for the ecopy!
I’m sad to say I wasn’t familiar with The Sri Lanken Civil War prior to reading this but am so thankful that a middle grade has touched upon the topic. The novel takes place in 1998 Colombo. A coming of age story about finding peace with yourself, fitting in and starting a new school. Kavi grew up in a small village and received a scholarship to a school in the city… taking on a new persona to fit in with her peers, her lies quickly escalate and soon backfire.
The book is full of character and culture. I think young readers will gravitate toward Kavi’s bravery and the beautiful way the author has laid out the text!
Thank you Holiday House for the ecopy!
August 15, 2023
What a gorgeous verse novel! I found myself crying by the end- it was stunning and wonderful, powerful and moving- and Kavi’s voice was exquisite! I found myself laughing at Kavi’s antics- and honestly fell in love with her by the end! What a beautiful book! I expect this to win awards❤️
October 15, 2024
* Thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own *
3.5 stars
I found this story very interesting, I like reading war stories from the perspective of children, and I liked that the focus of this book is different, I liked how the author worked on the differences of worlds here and how she makes clear the consequences of our attitudes, it is a book that I highly recommend especially for pre-teens, I feel that they would learn a lot from our protagonist.
3.5 stars
I found this story very interesting, I like reading war stories from the perspective of children, and I liked that the focus of this book is different, I liked how the author worked on the differences of worlds here and how she makes clear the consequences of our attitudes, it is a book that I highly recommend especially for pre-teens, I feel that they would learn a lot from our protagonist.
April 7, 2025
*Disclaimer: This copy was provided to me by NetGalley for reading and reviewing, which has not influenced my honest opinion.*
Thushanthi Ponweera's debut novel "I Am Kavi" immerses us in the life of a ten-year-old girl in war-torn Sri Lanka during the 1990s. The story, told in verse form, follows Kavi, who earns a scholarship that gives her the opportunity to leave her remote village and attend a better school in Colombo, the capital city.
What particularly touched me is the authentic voice of the protagonist. Kavi finds herself caught not only between two different places – her rural village and the bustling city – but also between identities. To be accepted in her new environment, she begins to deny her origins and fabricates a life that would impress her wealthy classmates. "Ever since I lied..." writes Ponweera in an especially poignant passage where Kavi reflects on her transformation.
The worldbuilding is remarkable. Ponweera gives us deep insight into wartime Sri Lanka without overwhelming the story with too many details. The small cultural rituals especially – like gathering jasmine flowers in the morning or the way Kavi and her mother drink tea together: "A sip from the cup, a lick from the palm" – give the novel a rich texture.
The character development is multi-layered and nuanced. Initially, Kavi is filled with anger toward her mother and stepfather, but throughout the story, she learns to understand other perspectives. The line "Maybe he was just a tired man sleeping in" beautifully shows how Kavi begins to see her stepfather in a different light.
I found it particularly impressive how the novel portrays morally complex situations without moralizing. Kavi's decision to lie and later to cheat isn't simply condemned but made understandable in the context of her desperation to belong.
If I had to offer one criticism, it might be that some plot turns toward the end are resolved a bit too quickly. Nevertheless, Kavi's journey emotionally moved me deeply and made me reflect on identity, belonging, and the question of what "normal" means.
"I Am Kavi" is a wonderful novel that leaves a lasting impression. It reminds us that we all, like Kavi, sometimes navigate between different versions of ourselves until we finally understand who we truly are.
Thushanthi Ponweera's debut novel "I Am Kavi" immerses us in the life of a ten-year-old girl in war-torn Sri Lanka during the 1990s. The story, told in verse form, follows Kavi, who earns a scholarship that gives her the opportunity to leave her remote village and attend a better school in Colombo, the capital city.
What particularly touched me is the authentic voice of the protagonist. Kavi finds herself caught not only between two different places – her rural village and the bustling city – but also between identities. To be accepted in her new environment, she begins to deny her origins and fabricates a life that would impress her wealthy classmates. "Ever since I lied..." writes Ponweera in an especially poignant passage where Kavi reflects on her transformation.
The worldbuilding is remarkable. Ponweera gives us deep insight into wartime Sri Lanka without overwhelming the story with too many details. The small cultural rituals especially – like gathering jasmine flowers in the morning or the way Kavi and her mother drink tea together: "A sip from the cup, a lick from the palm" – give the novel a rich texture.
The character development is multi-layered and nuanced. Initially, Kavi is filled with anger toward her mother and stepfather, but throughout the story, she learns to understand other perspectives. The line "Maybe he was just a tired man sleeping in" beautifully shows how Kavi begins to see her stepfather in a different light.
I found it particularly impressive how the novel portrays morally complex situations without moralizing. Kavi's decision to lie and later to cheat isn't simply condemned but made understandable in the context of her desperation to belong.
If I had to offer one criticism, it might be that some plot turns toward the end are resolved a bit too quickly. Nevertheless, Kavi's journey emotionally moved me deeply and made me reflect on identity, belonging, and the question of what "normal" means.
"I Am Kavi" is a wonderful novel that leaves a lasting impression. It reminds us that we all, like Kavi, sometimes navigate between different versions of ourselves until we finally understand who we truly are.
June 13, 2023
Thank you Net Galley for this beautiful and eye opening story!
My freshman year of college my best friend Methmi discussed the civil war with me a couple of times and how it had impacted her family. When I noticed this book on Net Galley I knew I had to read it immediately. She immigrated to the US from Sri Lanka about five years ago and said often how it felt like she had two identities, similar to Kavi’s character. This is one of my favorite books of the year and will immediately be purchasing a copy for my friend and I when it is released in the fall!
My freshman year of college my best friend Methmi discussed the civil war with me a couple of times and how it had impacted her family. When I noticed this book on Net Galley I knew I had to read it immediately. She immigrated to the US from Sri Lanka about five years ago and said often how it felt like she had two identities, similar to Kavi’s character. This is one of my favorite books of the year and will immediately be purchasing a copy for my friend and I when it is released in the fall!
June 19, 2023
This was such a lyrical and beautifully written story, I fell in love immediately. The story/message was also incredibly impactful and important, especially so for younger readers. Normally, I don't like this writing style but it flowed really well.
July 7, 2023
This free verse novel was pretty good. I enjoyed the story of Kavi and her struggle to fit in to a new school.
June 14, 2023
E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus
In this novel in verse, Kavi lives in a small village in Sri Lanka in the late 1990s. There is a civil war that has been raging since 1983, and her father fought in it. He lost a leg, and later died, leaving Kavi and her mother alone. Against Kavi's wishes, her mother has remarried her father's best friend, Sirapala, who seems lazy to Kavi. She doesn't want to have to stay in the house, and wants better opportunities than farming. She does well in school, and her mother allows her to sit for exams. While she doesn't like the idea of being without her daughter, she finds a school to which Kavi can have a scholarship and also live with her sister, Mala Nanda. Mala Nanda has lived in the big city for a long time, and is a housekeeper for a wealthy family. Her apartment off of the family's garage is bigger than Kavi's entire house, and Kavi is thrilled with amenities such as air conditioning. Going to a new school is hard, especially when she sees the difference in treatment between scholarship students and those who can afford to pay. She decides to make friends with two popular girls, Nethmi and Sulo, and soon gets enticed into their way of life. She is aided in this by Sasha, the daughter of the family for whom Mala Nanda works. Sasha is lonely, and while Kavi tries hard to remember that she is of the servant class, she does enjoy getting hand me downs and discards from the wealthier girl. Sasha even loans her clothes when she is invited to a birthday party. Kavi has told tales about her life, claiming that she and her mother left the village to live with an uncle and aunt, and describes Sasha's life as if it were her own. This comes with some problems. While Nethmi and Sulo are expected to do well in school in order to make their parents happy, Kavi's entire existence at the school depends on her getting good grades. When she gets drawn into Nethmi's plans to do well by cheating, there are disastrous consequences. The civil war is felt all around them, and now Kavi may have ruined her chance to make a better life for herself. Will she be able to stay in school in the city?
Strengths: I love reading books set in other countries, and have to admit that I didn't know much about the Sri Lankan civil war and the unrest between the Tamil and Sinhala people. While Kavi has a good life in her village, the war and the poverty caused by her father's death make her motivated to do whatever she can to ease things for herself and her mother. Going to the big city without her mother is hard, but her experiences with a new way of life are fascinating to read. There's a surprising amount of Western 1990s culture mentioned that will appeal to readers of a certain age (I'm too old to care much about the Spice Girls!). Friend drama is always a popular topic with my readers, and to see the horrible consequences of friend drama when it occurs between people of very different social classes is heartbreaking. There is a lot of honesty about Kavi's experiences; she has to come clean to her aunt, her mother, Sasha, and even her school and her friends. It's all processed in a realistic and hopeful way, and the book offers a very unusual window into a different place and time.
Weaknesses: Since Kavi's house is so small, there is a brief and delicate discussion of the fact that she is on the other side of a curtain when her mother is "really with" her new husband. This comes up again briefly in the city. Younger readers will probably not understand and not think too hard about it.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing this title, and will hand it to readers who enjoy Saeed's Amal Unbound or Faruqi's A Thousand Questions or Kadarusman's Girl of the Southern Sea, or other books set in countries other than the US that offer glimpses into what daily life is like there.
In this novel in verse, Kavi lives in a small village in Sri Lanka in the late 1990s. There is a civil war that has been raging since 1983, and her father fought in it. He lost a leg, and later died, leaving Kavi and her mother alone. Against Kavi's wishes, her mother has remarried her father's best friend, Sirapala, who seems lazy to Kavi. She doesn't want to have to stay in the house, and wants better opportunities than farming. She does well in school, and her mother allows her to sit for exams. While she doesn't like the idea of being without her daughter, she finds a school to which Kavi can have a scholarship and also live with her sister, Mala Nanda. Mala Nanda has lived in the big city for a long time, and is a housekeeper for a wealthy family. Her apartment off of the family's garage is bigger than Kavi's entire house, and Kavi is thrilled with amenities such as air conditioning. Going to a new school is hard, especially when she sees the difference in treatment between scholarship students and those who can afford to pay. She decides to make friends with two popular girls, Nethmi and Sulo, and soon gets enticed into their way of life. She is aided in this by Sasha, the daughter of the family for whom Mala Nanda works. Sasha is lonely, and while Kavi tries hard to remember that she is of the servant class, she does enjoy getting hand me downs and discards from the wealthier girl. Sasha even loans her clothes when she is invited to a birthday party. Kavi has told tales about her life, claiming that she and her mother left the village to live with an uncle and aunt, and describes Sasha's life as if it were her own. This comes with some problems. While Nethmi and Sulo are expected to do well in school in order to make their parents happy, Kavi's entire existence at the school depends on her getting good grades. When she gets drawn into Nethmi's plans to do well by cheating, there are disastrous consequences. The civil war is felt all around them, and now Kavi may have ruined her chance to make a better life for herself. Will she be able to stay in school in the city?
Strengths: I love reading books set in other countries, and have to admit that I didn't know much about the Sri Lankan civil war and the unrest between the Tamil and Sinhala people. While Kavi has a good life in her village, the war and the poverty caused by her father's death make her motivated to do whatever she can to ease things for herself and her mother. Going to the big city without her mother is hard, but her experiences with a new way of life are fascinating to read. There's a surprising amount of Western 1990s culture mentioned that will appeal to readers of a certain age (I'm too old to care much about the Spice Girls!). Friend drama is always a popular topic with my readers, and to see the horrible consequences of friend drama when it occurs between people of very different social classes is heartbreaking. There is a lot of honesty about Kavi's experiences; she has to come clean to her aunt, her mother, Sasha, and even her school and her friends. It's all processed in a realistic and hopeful way, and the book offers a very unusual window into a different place and time.
Weaknesses: Since Kavi's house is so small, there is a brief and delicate discussion of the fact that she is on the other side of a curtain when her mother is "really with" her new husband. This comes up again briefly in the city. Younger readers will probably not understand and not think too hard about it.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing this title, and will hand it to readers who enjoy Saeed's Amal Unbound or Faruqi's A Thousand Questions or Kadarusman's Girl of the Southern Sea, or other books set in countries other than the US that offer glimpses into what daily life is like there.
September 20, 2023
In the late 1990s, as Sri Lanka is at war with itself, Kavi wants to break free from her regular life. She misses her late father and is disgruntled about the fact that her mother has remarried. The only thing that makes Kavi happy is her best friend, XXX, and going to school.
Kavi gets the chance to compete for a scholarship that will pay her tuition at a fancy school in the country’s capital of Columbo. She sees the opportunity not just to further her education but also to get away from the village and her stepfather. The joy from learning she won the scholarship is short-lived, however, when Kavi’s mother reveals she’s pregnant and won’t be able to move to Columbo with Kavi.
Full of resentment, Kavi moves to Columbo to stay with a friend who is the maid for an upper middle class family in the city. The capital is a dizzying array of new sights and sounds for Kavi. It’s also the first time she learns about the vast differences between the economic status of her family and her schoolmates.
In an effort to impress the popular girls in school, Kavi starts to lie about her life. The daughter of the family where she’s living becomes interested in the whole venture to improve Kavi’s chances with the school clique and tutors Kavi in the ways of high society in Columbo. She tells Kavi what shows are popular, what movies everyone’s talking about, and even lends her jewelry to make her look fancier.
When Kavi’s new friends ask her to do something she’s never done before, suddenly she realizes she’s strayed far from her mother’s teachings and everything she learned growing up. The situation becomes a reckoning for Kavi. How far will she have to go to reinvent herself before she doesn’t recognize who that is anymore?
Author Thushanthi Ponweera’s narrative rings with authenticity in the way she describes Columbo and the realities of civil war. The author’s own experience with both ground the book and help readers feel, hear, and see the sites and sounds of the country. The prose choice of a novel-in-verse works in some cases but in others detracts from the core story.
Because of the lyricism required for the storytelling choice, details are often spare and leave the main plot lacking. Some readers may wish Ponweera had chosen a straightforward narrative to tell Kavi’s story. The elements in the plot are compelling enough to support a conventional narrative, which makes the choice of an unconventional one that much more unfortunate.
Those completely unfamiliar with Sri Lanka’s civil war difficulties may appreciate the spare introduction to the entire issue, which brings its own emotional weight to any tale. Readers who share the same heritage as Ponweera or who have ties to South Asia in general will most likely want more.
Kavi gets the chance to compete for a scholarship that will pay her tuition at a fancy school in the country’s capital of Columbo. She sees the opportunity not just to further her education but also to get away from the village and her stepfather. The joy from learning she won the scholarship is short-lived, however, when Kavi’s mother reveals she’s pregnant and won’t be able to move to Columbo with Kavi.
Full of resentment, Kavi moves to Columbo to stay with a friend who is the maid for an upper middle class family in the city. The capital is a dizzying array of new sights and sounds for Kavi. It’s also the first time she learns about the vast differences between the economic status of her family and her schoolmates.
In an effort to impress the popular girls in school, Kavi starts to lie about her life. The daughter of the family where she’s living becomes interested in the whole venture to improve Kavi’s chances with the school clique and tutors Kavi in the ways of high society in Columbo. She tells Kavi what shows are popular, what movies everyone’s talking about, and even lends her jewelry to make her look fancier.
When Kavi’s new friends ask her to do something she’s never done before, suddenly she realizes she’s strayed far from her mother’s teachings and everything she learned growing up. The situation becomes a reckoning for Kavi. How far will she have to go to reinvent herself before she doesn’t recognize who that is anymore?
Author Thushanthi Ponweera’s narrative rings with authenticity in the way she describes Columbo and the realities of civil war. The author’s own experience with both ground the book and help readers feel, hear, and see the sites and sounds of the country. The prose choice of a novel-in-verse works in some cases but in others detracts from the core story.
Because of the lyricism required for the storytelling choice, details are often spare and leave the main plot lacking. Some readers may wish Ponweera had chosen a straightforward narrative to tell Kavi’s story. The elements in the plot are compelling enough to support a conventional narrative, which makes the choice of an unconventional one that much more unfortunate.
Those completely unfamiliar with Sri Lanka’s civil war difficulties may appreciate the spare introduction to the entire issue, which brings its own emotional weight to any tale. Readers who share the same heritage as Ponweera or who have ties to South Asia in general will most likely want more.
July 23, 2023
Thushanthi Ponweera’s debut I Am Kavi is a beautiful middle-grade story of a Sinhalese girl, Kavi, who is struggling to find her place and identity. Set amidst the backdrop of the Civil war, the novel-in-verse is honest and appealing.
Kavi is a smart school-going girl who lives with her mother in a village. Her father’s sudden demise and her mother’s marriage to his best friend have created a distance between the mother and daughter. Even though Kavi doesn't express her dissent openly, her behaviour towards her mother has undergone a sea change. Once upon a time she used to worship her mother. And now, she can’t wait to get away. But she has a plan. She wants to get the scholarship, move to the city, and take her mother along with her. Away from the village. Away from her new husband.
Unfortunately for her, even though she gets the scholarship, her mother cannot join her. Kavi begins a new chapter of her life in Colombo without her mother by her side. The transformation from a girl from a poverty-stricken village to a city girl is challenging. Kavi wants to fit it. And in her desire to be seen and felt, she makes a few mistakes along the way.
Ponweera has done a fabulous job in creating a memorable character, addressing issues many kids would relate to, and narrating it in a manner that young readers would cherish. The author not just highlights Kavi’s personal struggles, she weaves in serious socio-political themes like civil war, racism, poverty, societal divide, disability, and even death without getting into much graphic details. She explores varied family dynamics, village life, and local culture and transitions.
Younger readers will surely enjoy this book. It is easy to read, fast moving, touching, and inspiring. Despite the serious themes, the tone is quite optimistic, even humorous at times.
There are many characters in this story. Some major, and many secondary. But not one of them is out of place or sketched inappropriately.
There’s a lot to learn from Kavi’s journey. Her story teaches children to be brave and courageous, the power of acceptance, forgiveness, and love. It’s also a good opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss civil disobedience in Sri Lanka.
I loved reading ‘I am Kavi,’ and am waiting to read more of Ponweera’s works.
Wordsopedia Rating 5/5
Kavi is a smart school-going girl who lives with her mother in a village. Her father’s sudden demise and her mother’s marriage to his best friend have created a distance between the mother and daughter. Even though Kavi doesn't express her dissent openly, her behaviour towards her mother has undergone a sea change. Once upon a time she used to worship her mother. And now, she can’t wait to get away. But she has a plan. She wants to get the scholarship, move to the city, and take her mother along with her. Away from the village. Away from her new husband.
Unfortunately for her, even though she gets the scholarship, her mother cannot join her. Kavi begins a new chapter of her life in Colombo without her mother by her side. The transformation from a girl from a poverty-stricken village to a city girl is challenging. Kavi wants to fit it. And in her desire to be seen and felt, she makes a few mistakes along the way.
Ponweera has done a fabulous job in creating a memorable character, addressing issues many kids would relate to, and narrating it in a manner that young readers would cherish. The author not just highlights Kavi’s personal struggles, she weaves in serious socio-political themes like civil war, racism, poverty, societal divide, disability, and even death without getting into much graphic details. She explores varied family dynamics, village life, and local culture and transitions.
Younger readers will surely enjoy this book. It is easy to read, fast moving, touching, and inspiring. Despite the serious themes, the tone is quite optimistic, even humorous at times.
There are many characters in this story. Some major, and many secondary. But not one of them is out of place or sketched inappropriately.
There’s a lot to learn from Kavi’s journey. Her story teaches children to be brave and courageous, the power of acceptance, forgiveness, and love. It’s also a good opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss civil disobedience in Sri Lanka.
I loved reading ‘I am Kavi,’ and am waiting to read more of Ponweera’s works.
Wordsopedia Rating 5/5
September 3, 2023
5 stars! Absolutely beautifully written!
Description:
“1998, Colombo. The Sri Lankan Civil War is raging, but everyday life must go on. At Kavi's school, her friends talk about the weekly Top 40, the Backstreet Boys, Shahrukh Khan, Leo & Kate... and who died-or didn't-in the latest bombing. But Kavi is afraid of something even scarier than war. She fears that if her friends discover her secret--that she is not who she is pretending to be-they'll stop talking to her.
I want to be friends with these / happy, / fearless, / girls / who look like they / belong.
So I could also be / happy, / fearless, / and mavbe even / belong.
Kavi's scholarship to her elite new school was supposed to be everything she ever wanted, but as she tries to find some semblance of normalcy in a country on fire, nothing is going according to plan. In an effort to fit in with her wealthy, glittering, and self-assured new classmates, Kavi begins telling lies, trading her old life-where she's a poor girl whose mother has chosen a new husband over her daughter-for a new one, where she's rich, loved, and wanted.
But how long can you pretend to be someone else?
This dazzling novel-in-verse comes from an astonishing new talent who lived through the civil war herself. Perfect for fans of Jamine Warga, Supriya Kelkar, and Rajani LaRocca, I Am Kavi centers a powerful South Asian voice, and stars an unforgettable heroine each and every one of us can relate to.”
I loved the nostalgia of 90’s and all the cultural references mentioned. This is such a great coming of age story set during the Sri Lankan civil war.
This book uses prose format with no quotations. It is structured in a way that was easy for my adhd/dyslexic brain to read quickly. Beautifully written and poetic!
“Home for me means
peace of mind.
Without it,
anywhere you live
can be torture.
And with it,
even the prison cell
can be freedom.
This is my home,
my peace of mind.”
Highly recommend for middle grade readers and up! Love the cover!
Thank you to NetGalley, Holiday House, Peachtree, Pixel+Ink, and Thushanthi Ponweera for the opportunity to read I Am Kavi in exchange for an honest review.
Description:
“1998, Colombo. The Sri Lankan Civil War is raging, but everyday life must go on. At Kavi's school, her friends talk about the weekly Top 40, the Backstreet Boys, Shahrukh Khan, Leo & Kate... and who died-or didn't-in the latest bombing. But Kavi is afraid of something even scarier than war. She fears that if her friends discover her secret--that she is not who she is pretending to be-they'll stop talking to her.
I want to be friends with these / happy, / fearless, / girls / who look like they / belong.
So I could also be / happy, / fearless, / and mavbe even / belong.
Kavi's scholarship to her elite new school was supposed to be everything she ever wanted, but as she tries to find some semblance of normalcy in a country on fire, nothing is going according to plan. In an effort to fit in with her wealthy, glittering, and self-assured new classmates, Kavi begins telling lies, trading her old life-where she's a poor girl whose mother has chosen a new husband over her daughter-for a new one, where she's rich, loved, and wanted.
But how long can you pretend to be someone else?
This dazzling novel-in-verse comes from an astonishing new talent who lived through the civil war herself. Perfect for fans of Jamine Warga, Supriya Kelkar, and Rajani LaRocca, I Am Kavi centers a powerful South Asian voice, and stars an unforgettable heroine each and every one of us can relate to.”
I loved the nostalgia of 90’s and all the cultural references mentioned. This is such a great coming of age story set during the Sri Lankan civil war.
This book uses prose format with no quotations. It is structured in a way that was easy for my adhd/dyslexic brain to read quickly. Beautifully written and poetic!
“Home for me means
peace of mind.
Without it,
anywhere you live
can be torture.
And with it,
even the prison cell
can be freedom.
This is my home,
my peace of mind.”
Highly recommend for middle grade readers and up! Love the cover!
Thank you to NetGalley, Holiday House, Peachtree, Pixel+Ink, and Thushanthi Ponweera for the opportunity to read I Am Kavi in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2023
Written in potent and lovely prose, Kavi's tale draws in and broadens horizons.
Kavi is ten-years-old and lives with her mother and step-father in a mostly constructed shack under very poor circumstances. The only hope of improvement is for Kavi to score high on the exam, which would allow her to attend one of the large schools in the cities. And she makes it. Moving to relatives, her life is better than she could have dreamed, and she even makes friends with two of the most popular girls. Pretending to be just like that and hiding her true background, she builds a delicately balanced mountain of lies...one that threatens to tumble down.
It was refreshing to read a tale set in Sri Lanka, and I've never really looked into the civil war, which took place there during the 1990's. So, this is already an interesting read for anyone, who enjoys discovering more about the culture and history of that country. All of this information flows very naturally into the tale, offering more of a atmospheric impression with little details dribble in here and there. It allows the reader to sink into the daily life at that time from both poor and more well-off sides. Plus, there's obvious lessons about embracing ones self and the disaster of building up lies.
This story is written in well-crafted verse. It's from Kavi's point of view and really sinks into her situation. The first chapters allow the reader to get a good understanding of her life before her move to the city, giving Kavi depth and providing the necessary background to sympathize with her even more later on. It's emotional, creates deep moments, and flows very smoothly in all the right ways.
While this one is sold for ages over eight, I'm shifting my recommendation to ages ten and above due to the depth of the read. Plus, there are some subtle meanings, which younger audiences won't completely grasp. It's a lovely read, which is sure to make a lasting impression. I received a DRC and enjoyed the story quite a bit.
Kavi is ten-years-old and lives with her mother and step-father in a mostly constructed shack under very poor circumstances. The only hope of improvement is for Kavi to score high on the exam, which would allow her to attend one of the large schools in the cities. And she makes it. Moving to relatives, her life is better than she could have dreamed, and she even makes friends with two of the most popular girls. Pretending to be just like that and hiding her true background, she builds a delicately balanced mountain of lies...one that threatens to tumble down.
It was refreshing to read a tale set in Sri Lanka, and I've never really looked into the civil war, which took place there during the 1990's. So, this is already an interesting read for anyone, who enjoys discovering more about the culture and history of that country. All of this information flows very naturally into the tale, offering more of a atmospheric impression with little details dribble in here and there. It allows the reader to sink into the daily life at that time from both poor and more well-off sides. Plus, there's obvious lessons about embracing ones self and the disaster of building up lies.
This story is written in well-crafted verse. It's from Kavi's point of view and really sinks into her situation. The first chapters allow the reader to get a good understanding of her life before her move to the city, giving Kavi depth and providing the necessary background to sympathize with her even more later on. It's emotional, creates deep moments, and flows very smoothly in all the right ways.
While this one is sold for ages over eight, I'm shifting my recommendation to ages ten and above due to the depth of the read. Plus, there are some subtle meanings, which younger audiences won't completely grasp. It's a lovely read, which is sure to make a lasting impression. I received a DRC and enjoyed the story quite a bit.
June 30, 2023
In I am Kavi, we get to meet Kavi, a Sinhalese girl from a small village in Srilanka. We get to see what her day to day routine and how her life changed (she thinks it's changed) when her mom remarried. As the story starts we get to know that she's won a scholarship and she can attend a great school in the city. Kavi's world is shattered when her mom can't accompany her to the city as she's pregnant. Kavi thinks that she's no longer part of the family and her mom and her stepfather want her gone.
In city, everything is new for her. From Tv to car to the rich children in her class. Inorder to fit in, she lies. She lies about herself, her home, her family status. All the lies bite her back when one thing goes wrong and everything she has built in this new life crashes down. How she faces the problem and gives second chance to her step dad and getting together with her mom is what the story unravels. I liked her innocence and understood her inner struggles and loved the relationship between her and Sasha. The cultural representation was done well. As a tamilian myself, I had heard so much about the war between Sri Lankan government and LTTE growing up. And being a kid in either side during that period would definitely cause a trauma that I can't even fathom about it.
In one Tamil movie, a eelam Tamil kid who was adopted by Tamil parents wants to meet her biological mother. So the parents take her to Srilanka in search of her mother amidst war. When they meet, the kid asks her biological mom to come to Tamilnadu and the mom responds saying 'I'll come when the peace is restored ' and the child asks 'when?'
Even though the civil war is ended, people are still fighting and I hope the peace is restored soon so that no Kavi from either side has to live their lives with fear.
In city, everything is new for her. From Tv to car to the rich children in her class. Inorder to fit in, she lies. She lies about herself, her home, her family status. All the lies bite her back when one thing goes wrong and everything she has built in this new life crashes down. How she faces the problem and gives second chance to her step dad and getting together with her mom is what the story unravels. I liked her innocence and understood her inner struggles and loved the relationship between her and Sasha. The cultural representation was done well. As a tamilian myself, I had heard so much about the war between Sri Lankan government and LTTE growing up. And being a kid in either side during that period would definitely cause a trauma that I can't even fathom about it.
In one Tamil movie, a eelam Tamil kid who was adopted by Tamil parents wants to meet her biological mother. So the parents take her to Srilanka in search of her mother amidst war. When they meet, the kid asks her biological mom to come to Tamilnadu and the mom responds saying 'I'll come when the peace is restored ' and the child asks 'when?'
Even though the civil war is ended, people are still fighting and I hope the peace is restored soon so that no Kavi from either side has to live their lives with fear.
August 21, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley, Holiday House, Peachtree, Pixel+Ink, and Thushanthi Ponweera for the opportunity to read I Am Kavi in exchange for an honest review.
Told as a hi-lo novel-in-verse, this novel follows Kavi, a girl living in a very small village during the Sri Lankan Civil war in 1998. In her village, life itself is the essence of poor. Her mom has a new boyfriend, with a baby on the way and no love left for Kavi (at least that is how Kavi feels). Her only way out is to take an exam offered to the youth of the village. If she passes, she can attend a good school in the city.
Living with her aunt, a maid for a wealthy family in the city, Kavi gets her chance at a new life and better education, but with this comes other kids who know city life. Kavi wants to impress them, so she begins telling lies about her new home to make herself seem rich. Soon her "friends" ask her to do more dishonest things, and Kavi isn't sure what to do. She wants to impress them, but she also wants to stay true to herself, and living in the city might have pulled her away from who she was, and not for the better.
An excellent novel with historical elements related to the war. Readers are exposed to Kavi's perspective of the latest news real with bombings, or experience how Kavi feels walking down a street with so many soldiers. It is a frightening time, yet Kavi also wants to fight her own war, a battle for her education and a better future. This novel also shows a lot about family, and even when we leave for a little while, family will always be part of home. A must-read for a young adult audience.
Told as a hi-lo novel-in-verse, this novel follows Kavi, a girl living in a very small village during the Sri Lankan Civil war in 1998. In her village, life itself is the essence of poor. Her mom has a new boyfriend, with a baby on the way and no love left for Kavi (at least that is how Kavi feels). Her only way out is to take an exam offered to the youth of the village. If she passes, she can attend a good school in the city.
Living with her aunt, a maid for a wealthy family in the city, Kavi gets her chance at a new life and better education, but with this comes other kids who know city life. Kavi wants to impress them, so she begins telling lies about her new home to make herself seem rich. Soon her "friends" ask her to do more dishonest things, and Kavi isn't sure what to do. She wants to impress them, but she also wants to stay true to herself, and living in the city might have pulled her away from who she was, and not for the better.
An excellent novel with historical elements related to the war. Readers are exposed to Kavi's perspective of the latest news real with bombings, or experience how Kavi feels walking down a street with so many soldiers. It is a frightening time, yet Kavi also wants to fight her own war, a battle for her education and a better future. This novel also shows a lot about family, and even when we leave for a little while, family will always be part of home. A must-read for a young adult audience.
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