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“Venkatraman’s latest novel beautifully captures the theme of finding love by letting go. Gheeta, 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, Gheeta struggles with sadness and adjustment in her new environment, where she faces bullies and cultural challenges…Gheeta 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.”

– School Library Journal, Starred Review

Safe Harbor

Written by Padma Venkatraman
Published by Nancy Paulsen Books

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.

Primary ISBN: 9780593112502
Publication Date: January 2025
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 10 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (Rhode Island)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Immigrant

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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