Illustrated image of Kavi Sharma singing
Illustrated image of Kavi Sharma singing

Meet Kavi Sharma!

Illustration of purple lotus

Nothing makes Kavi happier than singing Broadway tunes and learning Bollywood moves. But if she can’t find her rhythm offstage, she could miss her big moment!

 

Kavi holding a microphone and singing

 

Kavi's™ story

Illustration of purple lotus

 

Kavi is growing up in a close-knit Indian American family in Metuchen, New Jersey—a short train ride from her favorite place in the world: New York City! Kavi’s passion is to perform, whether it’s dancing, singing, or playing piano. So when Kavi attends Wicked to celebrate her twelfth birthday, she can’t help singing along to every song! After attending her first Broadway show, Kavi is inspired to perform at her school’s musical revue, which makes it hard to focus on schoolwork. But with some creative help from her friends, Kavi finds a way to succeed in the classroom and on stage.



After a triumphant revue, Kavi learns her school is putting on a production of Annie. Kavi hopes to play the lead role, but an eighth-grader gets the part, while Kavi is cast as an orphan. She’s disappointed at first but warms to the role and befriends the girl playing Annie. Then a storm destroys the auditorium roof—and the cast’s morale. Will the show be postponed until the following school year? That would give Kavi a chance at the lead role. But Kavi decides the show must go on, and she rallies the cast to make it happen.

Kavi holding a microphone and singing


 

Kavi's™ story

Illustration of purple lotus



Kavi is growing up in a close-knit Indian American family in Metuchen, New Jersey—a short train ride from her favorite place in the world: New York City! Kavi’s passion is to perform, whether it’s dancing, singing, or playing piano. So when Kavi attends Wicked to celebrate her twelfth birthday, she can’t help singing along to every song! After attending her first Broadway show, Kavi is inspired to perform at her school’s musical revue, which makes it hard to focus on schoolwork. But with some creative help from her friends, Kavi finds a way to succeed in the classroom and on stage.



After a triumphant revue, Kavi learns her school is putting on a production of Annie. Kavi hopes to play the lead role, but an eighth-grader gets the part, while Kavi is cast as an orphan. She’s disappointed at first but warms to the role and befriends the girl playing Annie. Then a storm destroys the auditorium roof—and the cast’s morale. Will the show be postponed until the following school year? That would give Kavi a chance at the lead role. But Kavi decides the show must go on, and she rallies the cast to make it happen.


 

Family & friends

Illustration of purple lotus

Family & friends

Illustration of purple lotus


Rishi

Kavi’s goofy younger brother dreams of being a doctor until he rescues a dog and decides he wants to be a vet.


Mom

She keeps the family organized and on time, while navigating her own return to the world of work as a microbiologist.


Dad

He sees his own distractedness in Kavi, so he introduces his daughter to the calming influence of yoga.


Dadima

Kavi’s paternal grandmother, who takes Kavi to see Wicked, starts her own cookie company.


Pari

One of Kavi’s best friends, Pari loves taking dance classes with Kavi but needs convincing to perform on stage.


Sophie

Kavi’s other best friend also loves to dance, and one of her favorite styles is hip-hop.


Scamper

Kavi’s pet dog is a Cocker Spaniel-Standard Poodle mix who cheers up Kavi when she’s feeling down.

 

Story brought to life

Illustration of purple lotus

Story brought to life

Illustration of purple lotus

My Journal by Me, Kavi Sharma

Kavi Sharma’s birthday present from her grandmother is the best ever, a trip to see Wicked on Broadway. Over the next few days, Kavi can’t stop singing songs from the show. But school doesn’t come as easily as dancing and signing to Kavi.

Instead of focusing on her schoolwork, all Kavi can think about is an upcoming revue at school. She plans a dance number with her best friend, Pari, but her parents tell her she’ll have to drop out of the revue if her grades don’t turn around.

Kavi’s friends help her find a unique way to help her study: they come up with dances to represent the science concepts they need to learn. The big revue is a big success and the girls get a standing ovation!



My Journal by Me, Kavi Sharma


Kavi Sharma’s birthday present from her grandmother is the best ever, a trip to see Wicked on Broadway. Over the next few days, Kavi can’t stop singing songs from the show. But school doesn’t come as easily as dancing and signing to Kavi.

Instead of focusing on her schoolwork, all Kavi can think about is an upcoming revue at school. She plans a dance number with her best friend, Pari, but her parents tell her she’ll have to drop out of the revue if her grades don’t turn around.

Kavi’s friends help her find a unique way to help her study: they come up with dances to represent the science concepts they need to learn. The big revue is a big success and the girls get a standing ovation!


It’s Showtime, Kavi

Kavi is growing up in a close-knit Indian American family in Metuchen, New Jersey. She has a passion for performing, whether it’s playing piano, dancing, or singing.

After a successful revue at her school and winter break, Kavi learns that her school is putting on a musical production of Annie. Kavi hopes to play Annie, but an 8th grader gets the part. Kavi is cast as an orphan. Then a storm destroys the school’s auditorium roof and the cast’s morale. With the show be canceled or postponed to the following year? Kavi must decide if the show must go on!


It’s Showtime, Kavi


Kavi is growing up in a close-knit Indian American family in Metuchen, New Jersey. She has a passion for performing, whether it’s playing piano, dancing, or singing.

After a successful revue at her school and winter break, Kavi learns that her school is putting on a musical production of Annie. Kavi hopes to play Annie, but an 8th grader gets the part. Kavi is cast as an orphan. Then a storm destroys the school’s auditorium roof and the cast’s morale. With the show be canceled or postponed to the following year? Kavi must decide if the show must go on!


 

Author & illustrator

Illustration of purple lotus

Author & illustrator

Illustration of purple lotus

American Girl Author Varsha Bajaj


Varsha Bajaj

Varsha Bajaj was born and raised in Mumbai, India, and she loved performing in plays as a girl. When Varsha grew up, she moved to America, where she worked as a psychotherapist counseling children and families. She now lives in Houston, Texas, where she raised her family and writes children’s books, which have earned awards such as Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Books and NAPPA. She is also a dedicated fan of Broadway and Bollywood!

American Girl Illustrator Parvati Pillai


Illustrator Parvati Pillai

Parvati Pillai grew up in India and now lives in Finland. She loves to evoke emotion with colors and try new illustration styles. Parvati is passionate about food, storytelling, travel, gardening, and exploring the outdoors.

 

Fun facts

Illustration of purple lotus

Fun facts

Illustration of purple lotus
Kavi’s name is pronounced “KUH-vee SHIR-ma”.

Kavi playing piano


Kavi’s name is pronounced “KUH-vee SHIR-ma”.

Her birthday is September 30.

Kavi backstage


Her birthday is September 30.

She is the first-ever South Asian 
Girl of the Year.

Kavi backstage


She is the first-ever South Asian 
Girl of the Year.

Kavi learns Indian cultural traditions like the Kathak dance style and celebrates Diwali and Holi with her family.

Kavi dancing on stage


Kavi learns Indian cultural traditions like the Kathak dance style and celebrates Diwali and Holi with her family.

The author, Varsha Bajaj, named Scamper after her own dog!

Kavi walking to the school bus


The author, Varsha Bajaj, named Scamper after her own dog!

Dadima means “grandmother” (specifically “father’s mother”) in Hindi.

Kavi baking cookies with her grandmother


Dadima means “grandmother” (specifically “father’s mother”) in Hindi.

 

Behind the scenes

Illustration of purple lotus

Behind the scenes

Illustration of purple lotus
  • The inspiration for Kavi’s character was to show girls how to share their talents, pursue new interests, and embrace diversity by learning about contemporary Indian American culture.
  • Through Kavi’s story, several central themes come to life: taking chances to make your dreams come true, finding balance during times of change, and showing pride in who you are.
  • To ensure Kavi’s story was true to life, an advisory board that included a choreographer, a social worker, and even two students reviewed the plot and product lines to make sure every detail was rooted in authentic practices, culture, and history.
  • The inspiration for Kavi’s character was to show girls how to share their talents, pursue new interests, and embrace diversity by learning about contemporary Indian American culture.
  • Through Kavi’s story, several central themes come to life: taking chances to make your dreams come true, finding balance during times of change, and showing pride in who you are.
  • To ensure Kavi’s story was true to life, an advisory board that included a choreographer, a social worker, and even two students reviewed the plot and product lines to make sure every detail was rooted in authentic practices, culture, and history.

Inspiration grows, year after year

Learn more about other Girl of the Year characters

Illustration of purple lotus

Inspiration grows, year after year

Learn more about other Girl of the Year characters

Illustration of purple lotus