A review by marylannireads
Safe Harbor by Padma Venkatraman

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 After her parents’ divorce, Geetha moves to America with her mother, and everything is different from the life they left behind in India. Even though they have extended family nearby, their small apartment lacks the comforts of home, and the food and scenery are all different, too. School is a difficult adjustment for Geetha, but her neighbor Miguel quickly becomes a friend as they work together to help nurse an ailing harp seal back to health. This middle grade novel in verse delicately balances the difficulties of moving across the world with the protection of the Earth’s ocean habitat. Because the narrative is written in verse, there are a limited number of words used in the novel, but these words nevertheless work together to paint a clear picture of Geetha’s life. Food and expressions from her Indian upbringing pepper Geetha’s first person narrative, and readers will find themselves empathizing with Geetha’s experiences as the story continues. At once a depiction of life as an immigrant from India and a book about the importance of wildlife conservation, this novel speaks to middle grade readers at a variety of different levels. It is accessible for readers from a wide range of backgrounds, and it serves as a positive book for classroom discussion, as well. This is a positive addition to library collections for middle grade readers.