Kushti Kid: Muds! Mats! Moves! invites readers into the vibrant world of kushti as Qainaat signs up for a summer course at Bal Pehalwan Akhada, where strength is tested and friendships are forged. This coming-of-age sports adventure for middle-grade readers explores courage, perseverance, and finding your voice in a setting full of heart, humor, and grit. If you love stories that blend physical challenge with emotional growth and a sense of community, this book is for you.
The book is written in accessible, cinematic prose with short, action-packed chapters that follow Qainaat through the mud pit, the gym, and quiet moments of doubt. Her training is intense, and the taunts she faces test more than just technique; they test character. Yet the story’s warmth and humor steady the pace, drawing readers into a world where every practice becomes a step toward courage and growth.
Along the way, Qainaat meets Tanki, another determined wrestler, and their unlikely friendship begins to change the akhada from within. Together they map out a bold plan to transform the training space into a welcoming arena for all wrestlers—where grit meets empathy and every competitor has a chance to shine, even in the dangal that looms ahead. Kushti Kid: Muds! Mats! Moves! balances high-stakes competition with heart, letting readers feel the pull of the crowd, the dirt under the nails, and the glow of a hard-fought victory without spoiling the ending.
- Protagonists: Qainaat and Tanki, two determined wrestlers navigating rivalry, friendship, and growth
- Setting: Bal Pehalwan Akhada, the mud pit, and the wrestling arena
- Themes: courage, perseverance, resilience, inclusion, teamwork
- Journey: coming-of-age through training, competition, and community transformation
- Style: warm, accessible prose with vivid action and heart
By the end, Kushti Kid: Muds! Mats! Moves! leaves readers with a sense of courage and belonging, showing that true strength grows when you lift others as you chase your own goals. It invites children to rethink what it means to be strong—the power of community, empathy, and perseverance linger long after the last page.
