Thushanthi Ponweera is an author and poet from Sri Lanka. Before daring to follow her dream of being published, she was a marketing specialist and entreprenuer. Her writing reflects the frustration she feels at the inequality and injustice she sees around her, and also the deep love she feels for her island home. She currently lives in Colombo with her husband and two children.
★ "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
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