Safe Harbor

Geetha moved with her mother (Amma) from India and the warm home of her grandparents and cousin. Geetha’s parents had a nasty divorce, and Geetha never hears from her father. Her mother wants a fresh start, so they have come to Rhode Island, where Amma is attending school. While Amma loves her school, Geetha faces a group of girls who bully her. Geetha meets a neighbor boy, Miguel, who goes to a different school, and he introduces Geetha to the library. While walking on the beach one day, they become friends and find an injured harp seal. They can get the seal to the Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Center, but are they too late?

Padma Venkatraman has written a compelling story that will engage readers all the way through. The characters are all believable, the situations are ones middle-graders will relate to, and the messages are hopeful and uplifting. The writing is lovely. It is written in charming, lyrical verse from Geetha’s point of view. This book deserves readership beyond the intended middle-grade audience.