Safe Harbor - by Padma Venkatraman (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Moving from India to the US is difficult for Geetha, but things start to get better when she and a new friend help rescue a stranded seal."--

Book Synopsis

An uplifting novel in verse about an immigrant girl adjusting to life in the US through her love of nature, music, and poetry, by the award-winning author of The Bridge Home

When Geetha and her mom move from India to Rhode Island after her parents' divorce, they leave everything Geetha loves behind--her family, her friends, her dog, and all that's familiar. As if that's not hard enough, Geetha is bullied at her new school for her clothes, her food, and her English (who knew so many English words could be spelled or pronounced differently in the US--or just be altogether different!). She finds some solace in playing her flute and writing poetry, and even more when she meets Miguel, a kid with whom she has a lot in common, and the two of them help rescue an injured harp seal stranded on the beach. But Geetha can feel her anger building over lots of things--careless people who pollute the sea and hurt animals, and her mom for making her move. She's never been so sad and angry. She can see a lot of her fears mirrored in the injured seal when she visits it at the Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Center, and this broadens her understanding of survival skills. And when she and Miguel start a beach-clean-up venture, she's surprised to find how many kind kids are out there. Geetha is torn as the time comes to let the seal go, knowing she'll miss him, but wanting the best for him. She's learning to live with mixed feelings and accept that while there will always be rough waters, there are plenty of safe harbors too.

Review Quotes

* "Venkatraman's latest novel beautifully captures the theme of finding love by letting go. Geetha, a young girl from Tamil Nadu, India, relocates to America with her mother after her parents' divorce. Leaving behind her beloved patti, appa, and dog Dhurrie, Geetha struggles with sadness and adjustment in her new environment, where she faces bullies and cultural challenges. However, her life begins to change when Miguel, a boy her age, and Santo, a harp seal pup in need of rescue, enter her world. Through her efforts to help Santo and connect with her new friends, Geetha discovers her place in this unfamiliar setting and learns that sometimes release is necessary for growth. Written in verse, this novel offers a poignant exploration of emotional resilience and the bittersweet nature of change. It will particularly resonate with readers who value themes of personal growth, cultural adjustment, and the power of compassion. Additionally, environmental advocates will find the subplot of rescuing Santo and the broader message of climate awareness engaging and relevant, which is a perfect fit for middle school library collections. The novel is a must-read for those who appreciate lyrical storytelling with emotional depth." --School Library Journal, starred review

"Aquatic pollution and marine life conservation propel this fish-out-of-water verse novel. Following tween Geetha's parents' divorce, Geetha and her mother . . . emigrate from Chennai, India, to the U.S., seeking a fresh start. Afraid of triggering Amma's depression, Geetha squelches her anger at being uprooted. . . . School is no better, especially when a 'shiny-smile' girl targets Geetha with daily bullying. A fledgling friendship with Latinx-cued local Miguel seems doomed following initial miscommunication, but the two later reconnect when trying to save an injured baby harp seal. . . . Venkatraman (Born Behind Bars) centering adult women of color in STEM spaces, including a veterinary technician and Miguel's oceanographer mother, who act as role models for Geetha add an empowering undertone." --Publishers Weekly

"Geetha's life is turned upside down when she and her mother move from India to Rhode Island, where being an immigrant in a new elementary school leaves her feeling alienated, angry, and longing for connection. . . . Geetha finds the connection she craves in a seal that has washed ashore due to injuries from human pollution. As Geetha acclimates to her new home, she uses her connection to this injured seal and her lifelong love of music to forge a new way forward for herself and her mother. Geetha's love for music drives the poetic lines of this novel in verse. . . . Simple and relatable, Safe Harbor mixes themes of coming-of-age, immigration, and conservation into a sweet story accessible to younger elementary readers as well as those who enjoy Kerry O'Malla Cerra, Saadia Faruqi, and Barbara Dee." --Booklist

"Geetha's emotions ring true, as do the little moments that remind Geetha that she's an outsider. The story comes to vivid life as Geetha draws parallels between herself and Santo--both feeling lost and adrift--and organizes a cleanup of the beach. Venkatraman closes with an especially poignant author's note in which she discusses her own experience as a woman of color in STEM. A tender coming-of-age tale with special resonance for nature lovers." --Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Padma Venkatraman (padmavenkatraman.com) was born in India and became an American after living in five countries and working as an oceanographer. She also wrote Born Behind Bars (South Asia Book Award, Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People), The Bridge Home (Walter Award, Golden Kite Award, Global Read-Aloud), A Time to Dance (IBBY selection, ALA Notable), Island's End (CCBC Choice, South Asia Book Award), and Climbing the Stairs (ALA/Amelia Bloomer List, Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People). She lives in Rhode Island.