thanks to holiday house and netgalley for this arc!

i am kavi follows kavi, a sri lankan girl growing up during the sri lankan civil war and truly this book gets better the more you read.

to start off i love middle-grade verse. something about it, especially from authors such as rajani larocca and now thushanthi ponweera just hits the right spot for me. this only added to this great story. from the start kavi is an incredibly loveable character: she loves her mother, works incredibly hard, is incredibly smart and is just overall the perfect protagonist to root for. every mistake she makes she owns up to and it was never frustrating to see her make these bad decisions as you can see where she is coming from at all times. this book was just so wonderful to read and to truly sit and enjoy the beauty of life and love.

An exemplary "fit-in" story expressed in a poetic form. Being a Sri Lankan myself, some events and actions are relatable, and give me a wave of nostalgia. Amazing plot and character building.  I would look forward to seeing more of Ms. Ponweera's work.

I AM KAVI by Thushanthi Ponweera is a powerful verse novel set during the Sri Lankan Civil War and featuring a young protagonist fighting to discover who she in the midst of home and school changes. Kavi longs for the father who died shortly after coming home from the war. Suspicious of her new stepfather, and angry at her mother for remarrying she finds comfort in earning the highest marks of her small village school. Her academic success allows her the opportunity to study at an advanced school in the city and live with her aunt, who works as a maid for an affluent family. But her desperate desire to fit in and make friends at her new school causes her to weave a false narrative about who she is. As the lies unravel her future dreams seem less certain; yet the love of her family sets her on a path of healing and self discovery. I AM KAVI is powerfully written, showcasing a part of the world and a time period in history often uncovered in western media. I highly recommend this middle grade novel for readers interested in coming of age stories.

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.

I Am Kavi is an amazing book. Kids are going to relate to Kavi even though she is from another place and time. So many of her struggles mirror the struggles of my students. This one belongs in classroom libraries!

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.

"I am Kavi" by Thushanthi Ponvera is a dazzling novel-in-verse that is set during the Sri Lankan Civil War (1983-2009). Drawing from her own experiences living through the war, the author crafts a compelling narrative centered around Kavi, a Sri Lankan girl. The story follows Kavi's journey from a village to a big city, where she confronts the emotional challenges of her father's death, her mother's second marriage, and her own personal transformation. Through Kavi's encounters with new people and their stories, she undergoes a profound exploration of family, relationships, self-esteem, self-love, and acceptance.

"I am Kavi" tackles a range of themes that resonate deeply with me. The author adeptly explores the complexities of family dynamics, the nuances of relationships, and the importance of self-esteem and self-love. The story's exploration of Kavi's personal growth adds depth and richness to the narrative. Additionally, the novel beautifully captures the essence of village life which I especially adored.

One of the book's standout features is its relatability I felt particularly through the character of Kavi. I easily connect with her actions and emotions, fostering a strong sense of empathy and engagement. Furthermore, the fact that the story draws from the author's own life experiences adds an extra layer of authenticity and personal investment, making "I am Kavi" all the more compelling.

It was a lighthearted and reflective read for me. The novel-in-verse format adds a unique and poetic quality to the storytelling was an immersive reading experience. The pacing is well-structured, maintaining a steady rhythm that keeps the narrative flowing smoothly. "I am Kavi" is a book that can easily be devoured in a single sitting(like I did), testament to its gripping and engaging nature.

In conclusion, "I am Kavi" by Thushanthi Ponvera is a remarkable novel-in-verse that masterfully explores a myriad of themes such as family, relationships, self-esteem, self-love and acceptance. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

At last, I extend my sincere gratitude to NetGalley and Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink for providing me with an advance reading copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me this E-ARC

Kavi lived in a poor village somewhere in Sri Lanka about 1998. From her POV we could feel that she hates almost everything:
- she love her Thaththa but he come back after a war with one leg injury, and not long after that, he died,
- she love her Amma, but not long after her Thaththa die, she married Thaththa's friend, Siripala
- she hates Siripala

But Kavi is a clever student. Her exams got her scholarship in Colombo. Kavi dreams of living with Amma there, only with Amma, not with Siripala. But Amma's pregnant.

Kavi hates everything!

Siripala takes Kavi to Colombo, to Amma's big sister, Mala Nanda. Mala Nanda works as house maid, and Kavi found out that Sir and Madam are kind with her, also their spoiled daughter, Sasha. Luxury living in Colombo makes Kavi try to forget her village, makes Kavi start to lie about several things...

I love verse-novel, and this verse-novel brings Kavi's feeling real, at early chapters I did hate Siripala too xD

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!

I Am Kavi is wondrous writing in verse novel form. I love this way of sharing poetically, and would gladly add this book to my classroom/school library. Thushanthi Ponweera crafts beautifully, and this book can be enjoyed by a wide range of readers.