I Am Kavi

Praise

★ “Superb. . . . A moving coming-of-age story written in verse about understanding and embracing who you truly are.”—The Horn Book, starred review
 
“Striking. . . . Skillfully captures the intensity of Kavi’s hope, doubt, shame, and determination as she negotiates her reality and her desires.”—The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books
 
“A powerful and immensely readable look at a time period and place not often represented in books for children.”—Teen Librarian Toolbox

“Riveting. . . . Ponweera employs spare but descriptive verse that perfectly captures the inner turmoil of a young girl wading her way through the complexities of family, friendship, identity, and emotions.”—Booklist

“A stirring novel in verse. . . . Amid a historical setting informed by classism, colorism, and colonization, short reflective phrases and vivid cultural details bring out the nuanced story’s emotional depth and show the devastating impact of war on Kavi and her loved ones.”—Publishers Weekly

“This book plunged me into the joys and turmoils of 1990s Sri Lanka, bringing with it all the poignancy of that time. A frequently heartrending coming-of-age story about friendship, love, class, and war. I loved it!”—Nizrana Farook, award-winning author of The Girl Who Stole an Elephant

“I Am Kavi is a triumphant tale of a girl overcoming adversity and discovering her potential, while also refinding her roots. Readers of all ages will root for Kavi from page one. I loved it.”—Dan Gemeinhart, New York Times bestselling author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise and The Midnight Children 

“Powerfully written. . . . Kavi’s struggle to fit in at her elite urban private school as a scholarship student from the war-torn countryside will resonate with readers dealing with the social pressures of middle school.”—Lyn Miller-Lachman, author of LA Times Book Prize Winner Torch

“Lyrical. . . . Kavi asks big questions about her changing family, growing up in wartime, and what it means to be true to yourself. A beautiful, universal novel.”—Laura Shovan, award-winning author of The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary

“Written in lush and evocative verse, and set during Sri Lanka’s civil war, I Am Kavi beautifully explores a much more personal battle: the struggle to know that you are loved, and to love yourself. A stunning debut.”—Kate Albus, award-winning author of A Place to Hang the Moon