I AM KAVI by Thushanthi Ponweera
Author: Thushanthi Ponweera
Told in lyrical verse, I AM KAVI is a moving and powerful debut about identity, belonging, and resilience. Thushanthi Ponweera gives young readers a rare and authentic South Asian perspective, weaving universal themes of friendship, family, and self-discovery into a vivid portrait of a girl caught between two worlds.
In 1998, against the tense backdrop of the Sri Lankan Civil War, ten-year-old Kavi’s life changes when she earns a scholarship to an elite city school. Leaving behind her rural village, she suddenly finds herself surrounded by wealth and privilege. To fit in, she begins to tell little lies about who she is and where she comes from. But with each story, Kavi drifts further from her true self, until she must find the courage to embrace her identity and the life she left behind.
Accompanied by praise from critics and multiple award recognitions, this unforgettable coming-of-age story will resonate with fans of novels-in-verse and anyone who has ever wondered where they truly belong. A beautifully written book to inspire empathy, confidence, and hope.