I Am Kavi

Author: Thushanthi Ponweera

Publisher: Holiday House

Pages: 272

Release Date: 19/Sep/23

Reviewer: Kathie

Thank 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.