For young readers grappling with intense social injustices or feeling powerless, this powerful story models how courage and self-defense can transform destiny.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen feels powerless against the world's injustices or is grappling with themes of bodily autonomy and self-worth. Inspired by the author's real-life activism, I Kick and I Fly tells the story of Heera, a fourteen-year-old girl in Bihar, India, who is destined to be sold into the sex trade. Her fate is disrupted when a local activist gives her the chance to learn kung fu, transforming her body from an object to be sold into a source of strength. When her friend is trafficked to New York, Heera embarks on a daring rescue mission. This is a powerful, hopeful, and action-packed novel for older teens (14+) that deals directly with the intense topic of human trafficking. It's an excellent choice for mature readers interested in social justice, as it models incredible resilience, bravery, and the power of fighting for oneself and others. It provides a catalyst for important conversations about global issues, consent, and empowerment.
Depicts bullying, threats of harm, and kung fu fighting in self-defense.
Racism & DiscriminationModerate
Portrays intense gender and caste-based discrimination and oppression.
Moral AmbiguityMild
Heera's father intends to sell her, a decision born of desperation and cultural norms.
Sensitive Topics
The book's central theme is human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The approach is direct and unflinching, though it avoids graphic descriptions of sexual violence. It confronts the systemic issues of poverty, debt bondage, and gender-based oppression that enable trafficking. The perspective is secular, focusing on community action and self-empowerment. The resolution is hopeful for the main character, showcasing a triumphant rescue, but it realistically acknowledges that the larger societal problem persists.
Ideal Reader
A mature teen (14+) passionate about social justice, who enjoys action-heavy stories with strong female protagonists. This is perfect for a reader who has graduated from middle-grade issue novels and is ready for a more intense, complex look at global problems, but still wants a story driven by hope and heroic action.
Parent Prep
Parents absolutely need to preview this book or read it alongside their teen. The subject matter is intense and could be very disturbing. A parent should be prepared to discuss the realities of sex trafficking, poverty, and gender inequality. Providing context about author Ruchira Gupta's activist background and her documentary "The Selling of Innocents" can add significant depth to the reading experience. A parent has a teen who is expressing anger or despair about global injustices they see on the news, like human trafficking or violence against women. The teen feels helpless and is looking for stories that show individuals making a tangible difference, however small.
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will likely connect most with the thrilling plot: the kung fu training, the friendships, and the exciting rescue mission. They will see it as a powerful story of a girl becoming a hero. An older teen (15-18) is more likely to engage with the complex social commentary on caste, economic desperation, globalism, and the systemic nature of exploitation. They will appreciate the nuanced portrayal of why these situations occur and the courage it takes to disrupt them.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many social justice novels that focus solely on the trauma of victimhood, this book uniquely frames the story through the lens of physical empowerment and action. The use of kung fu as a vehicle for reclaiming bodily autonomy is a brilliant, tangible metaphor that turns a story of exploitation into a thrilling, hopeful adventure. It successfully blends gritty realism with the propulsive energy of a blockbuster.
Read plot summary
Fourteen-year-old Heera lives on the outskirts of a red light district in Bihar, India, awaiting the day her father will sell her into the sex trade to pay off his debts. After being expelled from school, her fate seems imminent. However, a local hostel owner and activist pays off the debt and offers Heera a place at a shelter for at-risk girls. There, Heera begins learning kung fu, which fundamentally changes her relationship with her body and her destiny. When she learns that her missing friend has been trafficked to New York City, Heera and her new allies plan a dangerous international rescue mission.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Before learning kung fu, Heera sees her body as a commodity that will be sold. How does her martial arts training change her relationship with her own body and its value?
2
The hostel owner, Pari Di, pays off Heera's family's debt to save her. Do you think this action solves the root problem for Heera's family or community? Why or why not?
3
Heera makes a connection with a kung fu pen pal in the US who becomes essential to the rescue mission. What does this international friendship say about fighting global problems like human trafficking?
4
The title is 'I Kick and I Fly'. We see Heera literally kick, but what does the 'fly' part of the title represent for her by the end of the story?
