Crime: Against Children,Crime: Human Trafficking,Discrimination: Sexism,Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco: Alcohol Abuse,Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco: Reference or Discussion,Language: Mild Language,Sexual Content: Strong Sexual Content/Themes,Violence: Child Abuse,Violence: General,Violence: Sexual Assault/Rape
"In I Kick and I Fly, Ruchira Gupta has given young readers an irresistible story, and also one that could save lives. This book is a gift." -- Gloria Steinem
A propulsive social justice adventure by renowned activist and award-winning documentarian Ruchira Gupta, I Kick and I Fly is an inspiring, hopeful story of triumph about a girl in Bihar, India, who escapes being sold into the sex trade when a local hostel owner helps her to understand the value of her body through kung fu.
On the outskirts of the Red Light District in Bihar, India, fourteen-year-old Heera is living on borrowed time until her father sells her into the sex trade to help feed their family and repay his loans. It is, as she's been told, the fate of the women in her community to end up here. But watching her cousin, Mira Di, live this life day in and day out is hard enough. To live it feels like the worst fate imaginable. And after a run-in with a bully leads to her expulsion from school, it feels closer than ever.
But when a local hostel owner shows up at Heera's home with the money to repay her family's debt, Heera begins to learn that fate can change. Destiny can be disrupted. Heroics can be contagious.
It's at the local hostel for at risk girls that Heera is given a transformative opportunity: learning kung fu with the other girls. Through the practice of martial arts, she starts to understand that her body isn't a an object to be commodified and preyed upon, but a vessel through which she can protect herself and those around her. And when Heera discovers the whereabouts of her missing friend, Rosy, through a kung fu pen pal in the US, she makes the decision to embark on a daring rescue mission to New York in an attempt to save her.
A triumphant, shocking account inspired by Ruchira Gupta's experience making the Emmy-award winning documentary, The Selling of Innocents, this is an unforgettable story of overcoming adversity by a life-long activist who has dedicated her life to creating a world where no child is bought or sold.
Topics Martial arts. Poverty and homelessness. School. Sexual abuse. Bihar, India. Kung fu. Sports and recreation. Activism. Child trafficking. Debt. Families. Family life. Prostitution. Youth hostels.
Trim Size 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
JLG Span Fall
Language English
Rights type Print
Publication date 2023-04-17
JLG Release Date Jul 2023
Minimum grade 9
Maximum grade 12
Reading level High
Format Print
Sports and Recreation High (Grades 9 & Up)
Sports and Recreation High
Sports and Recreation High (Grades 9 & Up)
For Grades 9 & Up
This collection includes exciting books focused on athlete experiences, competition, and the broader culture of sports and recreation. Featuring a mix of fiction and nonfiction, selections explore sports through personal stories, real-world perspectives, and a range of activities that reflect the different ways teens engage with sports. Some selections are written for adults but are thoughtfully chosen for their relevance and appeal to teen readers.
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