Safe Harbor

by Padma Venkatraman

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 HomeWhen 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.

Genres: Middle Grade, Poetry, Realistic Fiction, Animals, Novel In Verse, Family, India

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 21, 2025

About the author

American author, Padma Venkatraman, has worked as chief scientist on oceanographic ships and spent time under the sea, directed a school, and lived in 5 countries. Her 5 novels, BORN BEHIND BARS, THE BRIDGE HOME, A TIME TO DANCE, ISLAND’S END and CLIMBING THE STAIRS, were released to multiple starred reviews (22 as of 8/30/21), and won numerous honors and awards (e.g. WNDB Walter Award 2020; SCBWI Golden Kite Award 2020; Paterson Prize; Julia Ward Howe Young Readers Award; South Asia Book Award; ALA, IRA Notable; Booklist, Kirkus, NYPL, Yalsa BBYA; CCBC choice; IBBY outstanding etc.). Her latest novel, BORN BEHIND BARS, a JLG selection, is available for order. She provides keynote addresses and commencement speeches, travels to international author festivals, serves on panels, does author visits and conducts workshops. Visit her at www.padmavenkatraman.com and follow her on twitter @padmatv or ig/fb venkatraman.padma

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Safe Harbor was a quick novel in verse that tackled interesting issues like immigration, change, friendship, and environmentalism. 3.5 Stars

What Worked: I appreciated that this novel was in verse and was able to beautifully weave in details related to immigration, friendship, and environmentalism within the framework of one story. Younger readers will appreciate the representation of fear and hesitancy that comes with moving to a new place and having to make new friends. Venkatraman does illustrate instances of bullying that impact Geeta, but I absolutely adored the fact that she included a redemption arc for a side character that realizes the issues with bullying. There were also multiple conversations about parental and familial relationships that are worthy of noting. Geeta and her mother move to the US without her father and Geeta experiences some resentment as a result; however, Venkatraman fully addresses and brings this relationship dynamic to a healthy place by the end. There was also a heavy environmentalism component that not only allowed Geeta to explore new friendships, but it also served as a tool to assist readers in better understanding the importance of taking care of their communities. Geeta sees the direct impact of how trash impacts the animals and all the work that goes into reviving them and getting them back out into the environment.

Overall, this was a solid story and one that young environmentalist will absolutely enjoy.

[L.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"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."
What a beautiful story! A young immigrant's journey to America with a new environment to contend with. She is bullied by some of the popular kids because of her clothes, language and food. She handles it well, but it was so hard to listen to it through a child's eyes. She spends her time playing her flute and writing poetry. The book is written in verse which is the perfect context for it. Geetha moved to the states with her mother after their divorce, so not only is she navigating a new country but life without her father, family and dog.
Geetha meets Miguel who also loves music and together they find an injured seal. They visit him frequently at the Marine Rehabilitation Center, nursing him back to health, to release him back into his environment. The book dwells on acceptance, new friendships and immigration. Although Geetha feels resentment, I felt the author did a fabulous job keeping it positive even through the bullying. This is a great book for students to see how it should be handled and the reasons behind it.
The author did an excellent job narrating the audio.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a mother and her daughter, Geetha, who leave their home to come to America to find a new, and hopefully better life. But Geetha is not welcomed by any of the girls in her class, although she finds a friend in one boy, Miguel, who plays the violin.

When Geetha and Miguel are at the beach, they come across an injured seal pup, so while they are waiting for the rescue team to arrive, Geetha plays her flute in order to soothe the seal pup. Both Geetha and Miguel continue to check in on the seal’s progress, watching and waiting for it to recover. They also decide to clean up the beach, and soon there are others from their school who join in to help with the clean up.

A sweet story of friendship, as well as acceptance, even if it is slightly delayed.


Pub Date: 21 Jan 2025


Many thanks for the ARC provided by PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group / Nancy Paulsen Books

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect story telling, perfect length, awesome characterisation and beautiful inside out.

The book is written in verse which I feel matches well with the story. The story is about a girl who has just immigrated from India after her parents’ divorce. It deals with abandonment, mental health, bullying, environmental issues and traditional values.

I just love the story. It’s packed with raw emotions and quite wholesome with the fact that how much friends and family help in overcoming adversities in life whenever we face them.

Just read this book!

I just wanted more side character development and the adult characters to do more than being more of an audience when it comes to children’s books.

[Susan Tunis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Harley; I read this on your recommendation. And what a lovely gem of a novel! Purportedly published for a middle grade audience, I believe this tiny treasure can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

The central character of the novel is a young girl, just immigrated to the US from India. The transition is not easy. But in addition to the normal things a child would experience, for instance the challenge of making new friends, the story touches lightly on a lot of substantive issues. In addition to the immigrant experience, there's the environment, the arts, mental health, bullying, representation, love, and loss. And every bit of it is rendered with pitch-perfect sensitivity. And all of this in beautiful, spare text. Highly recommended!

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book! Beautifully written, it’s about moving, new friendships, being different, and relationships with marine animals.

(I am deep diving on seals now) 🦭

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book contains multitudes. I love how the novel in verse form forces the author to be particularly careful with each word and phrase as they carry so much meaning. This book contained talk of mental health, immigrants, cultures, pollution, and bullying. It was well done and sweet by the end. I really enjoyed it!

[DaNae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Geetha, an immigrant from India, navigates bullies and homesickness in America.

This was fine. I liked that Venkan\traman was able to insert her Oceanography knowledge. I think I’m weary of both, books in verse, and the fact that all American kids bully immigrants. I wish they would quit doing that. It seems to be the focus of every single immigrant story.

[Joy Kirr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this (in an hour?) because it’s on our summer reading suggested list for my middle school. Sweet, based on times from the author’s life (as explains in the author’s note), and has some good messages. Would be good for younger children.

[Eliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Safe Harbor
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ .5 (2.5/5) or 4.85/10 overall

Characters - 5

Atmosphere - 6

Writing - 5

Plot - 4

Intrigue - 5

Logic - 5

Enjoyment - 4

[Roger DeBlanck · Rating 5 out of 5]

After her parents split up, Geetha and her mother leave India and relocate in Rhode Island where her aunt and uncle live. Geetha struggles with adjusting to life in America and she suffers insults and bullying at school. Then she gains friendship with Miguel, and while exploring the beach one afternoon, they help rescue an injured seal pup by getting him to a rehab facility. To relieve both her own stress and that of the seal, Geetha plays her bamboo flute.

Venkatraman nicely weaves together several storylines through her novel told in poetic verse. The friendship of Geetha and Miguel quickly grew roots and bloomed like a flower in my heart. I also loved the touching moments of Geetha playing her flute to find solace and healing both for herself and the seal that she and Miguel save and name Santo. The importance of environmental preservation resonates in Safe Harbor, as does the resilience of Geetha to find strength to overcome her hardships and lead activist efforts in her community.

[Mrs Heidrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

[Harley Zerega · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Safe Harbor" is a beautiful novel-in-verse that is, at its core, about belonging. This story follows Geetha, who has just immigrated to the United States from India after her parents' divorce. Geetha is angry that her mom has brought her to the US, forcing her to leave behind everything she loves in India. Geetha has to learn to make new friends at a new school, which is always difficult.

Padma Venkatraman's writing is stunning. She so perfectly captures Geetha's feelings about and struggles with her new home. I love how music was central to this story of belonging. Music can be so incredibly healing, and it shows in this story. Despite being a short book (about 175 pages), Venkatraman manages to discuss so many difficult topics — divorce, immigrating, bullying, and mental health — without any of them feeling like they were skimmed over.

This story hit me in my feels, and I actually happy cried at the end, which I didn't expect.

[Christiana Doucette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful middle grade verse novel following a girl and her mother as they find a new place of belonging in a new country. As Geetha searches for belonging, a shared love of music with Miguel, and the plight of a nearly strangled seal pup from the harbor give her new purpose and belonging. I loved the way it showed the loss of former familiar loved places and the gradual opening up to, and loving of new spaces.

[Katie Reilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grateful for the chance to read an advanced readers copy of this heartfelt new novel in verse coming January 21, 2025. Pre-order now!

After Geetha’s parents divorce, she and her mom leave her family and friends to move from India to the Rhode Island coast. Trying to adapt to new climate, new foods, new culture, and new classmates (who are downright mean), Geetha feels lonely and angry as she focuses her attention on playing her flute to hide her emotions from her mom.

Geetha finds a friend in Miguel, and on a trip to the beach, they discover a harp seal pup whose neck is wound in fishing line and has a cord wrapped around one of its flippers. While waiting for the rescue team to arrive, Geetha plays the injured seal pup a song on her flute to calm it down.

While visiting the seal in the rehabilitation center, Geetha decides to help in her own way, working with Miguel to restore and clean up areas of the beach.

With themes of environmental conservation, the ebbs and flows of change, and the power of community and friendship, this new middle grade novel in verse will show readers that kids can be the change-makers they wish to see in this world.

Favorite lines:
ARC Page 3:
But I guess hope is a cork that never stops bobbing on the waves of life‘s ocean.

ARC page 57:
I love how opening a book is like opening a door,
taking me to a different time and place,
into someone else’s head and heart.

ARC page 107:
I nod, remembering something Appa said to me once:
Music is a language all creatures understand.
Musical notes are like love notes connecting all living beings.

ARC page 127:
I think of friends and family I’m holding on to
because of so many networks.
I think of telephone poles
towering over towns, marching across mountains,
skinny giants striding around the globe
spinning shining webs of wires.

ARC Page 145:
…love is about holding tight with our hearts
but not our hands.

[Stephanie Affinito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Safe Harbor by Padma Venkatraman felt just as the title suggested: a safe space for readers to land. This gorgeous novel-in-verse tells the story of two kids who help rescue a wounded seal and in doing so, learn it's okay to show their emotions and find their own safe harbors. This book has so many effortless layers to it: starting over, making friends, taking responsibility for our environment, women in STEM, children as change-makers and so much more. Padma whisks me away to the Rhode Island Ocean where Geetha now lives with her mother after leaving their family in India. Determined to support her mother, Geetha bravely traverses her new terrain with a small smile, stuffing down the many feelings she has and communicating them through her flute instead. When a new friend helps her find her way by saving a seal stranded on the shore, Geetha starts to open up and find a safe harbor of her own. This book has a place in my heart. In fact, it has a place on the shelf in my heart for ALL of Padma’s books. Pre-order this one, readers. Then, join me in February on the KidLit Love podcast to chat with Padma all about it.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Geetha and her mother left India to come to America after the divorce. Geetha is sad to leave behind her grandparents, she misses her father, who stopped seeing her and misses her life. Adjusting to a new school is difficult and the kids are not welcoming. Then while out on the beach she finds a wounded seal pup. This will help Geetha find her bravery and adjust to her new life.

Told in verse, this middle grade novel deals with immigration, divorce, bullying, mental health, and so many issues that face our students today. It is a fast and beautiful read. I have already added this to my library and I hope that it will be added to elementary and public libraries.

Thank you to Net Galley, Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers Group, and Nancy Paulsen Books for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced look at this book in exchange for an honest review.

It is a truth universally known on my Goodreads that I am a fan of free verse books. There is something about how I truly get into the mind of the characters (in this case a girl named Geetha) and I get to walk a mile in their shows. Here Geetha and her mom have moved from India to the States. Not only is THAT an adjustment but Mom also has some mental illness. The ups and downs make life difficult on Geetha. All of it is hard. She misses home.

But it takes meeting Miguel and helping rescuing a young sea lion to connect Geetha to her new home. To find something that gives purpose, a cause bigger than herself. And how, through helping and conservation, she meets friends. It's a sweet easy read that is poignant and encouraging. With books like this, there is hope for humanity and our planet.

[Caitlyn Gloriod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Safe Harbor is a beautifully written book full of poetry by Pada Venkatraman. This story follows a young girl named Geetha and her mother when they move from their home in India to the Northeast Coast in the United States. Geetha struggles with accepting the divorce of her parents, the culture shock of moving to a brand new country, and dealing with bullies at school. Despite all of these hardships, she manages to find a friend in her neighbor, Miguel, whose mother works at the marine mammal rehabilitation center. Geetha and Miguel discover a hurt seal, Santos, and throughout Geetha’s journey of learning her new normal in America, Santos is on his own journey of healing.

When I first began reading this book, I was surprised at the writing style and found it to be very appealing. I enjoy reading poetry, and I thought the use of it in Geetha’s story allowed me to understand her more. Throughout the book, I found myself dog-earing the chapters that resonated with me the most. It was quite powerful that such a young girl with a much more diverse background than I could be so similar to me. The weaknesses of this book were that since it was written in an abstract poetry style, there were some details left desired by the reader. We were really only getting a glimpse into Geetha’s experience, and it would have been nice to have more. Some might argue that this is the strength of the book as well, so it is a unique characteristic of this writing. I would recommend this book to a classmate and to anyone. I think the themes of diversity, bullying, and inclusion are great for middle grades to read and learn about.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

“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." [Booklist]

[Cynthia T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @NetGalley for the ARC. Safe Harbor is a novel in verse and was wonderful. Geetha has just moved from India to Rhode Island after her parents divorce. Geetha is angry to be seperated from her family who was her safe place. Geetha meets her first friend on the beach where a baby seal has been hurt by pollution in the water. This sets Geetha to get involved with cleaning up the beaches to prevent this from happening again.
I enjoyed this story and will be adding to our school Library.

[Kim Cabanting · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, moving story that tackles bullying, finding your way in a new country, and environmental conservation. The themes blended perfectly to create a lyrical masterpiece that I didn't want to put down. It is recommended for readers 10 years and up but will easily be a favorite for all ages. Safe Harbor releases on January 21st and has already received several honors and starred reviews.

[Jan Raspen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book would be perfect for upper-elementary students, as its short length and novel in verse format would appeal to students this age and also reluctant readers. I think there is enough of a character and story here for this to be a traditional prose novel, so I was left kind of wanting more.

[Tyra Damm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geetha adjusts to living in the United States in this tender verse novel. As she struggles to make connections at school and feel at home without most of her family, she befriends a fellow musician and helps to save a stranded harp seal.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely novel in verse...relatable story about starting over after moving somewhere new. I especially loved the way music and a love of books/animals was woven into this story. Not a new favorite for me but i would recommend.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this fast reading story about a young immigrant girl exploring what it means to be in a different country. Assimilation , family and environmental issues are all explored in this novel in verse.

[Chad Durham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful and moving. I like that it avoids too many cliches but looks at immigrant life and family bonds in an interesting way.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super quick read. Novel in verse about moving, loss, divorce, mental health, finding friends and your voice all wrapped up in the story of friends helping a stranded seal. I wish it was a liiiiittle bit longer and more fully fleshed out, but it was sweet.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely novel in verse about a young immigrant girl who moves with her mother from India to America. Like the young seal she discovers injured by debri in the ocean, she struggles but ultimately finds healing and a safe harbor.

[Mandy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up