It’s launch week for Safe Harbor! If you’ve already got your copy of the novel and are a teacher or librarian, please check out this Safe Harbor Bingo activity game on the Diverse Verse website. The blogpost also has a writing prompt and a sneak peek at one of the poems in Safe Harbor. And I do hope you can attend one or more of these events which are open to the public! First, this Saturday, 4 pm, I’ll be at An Unlikely Story in MA, chatting with the one and only Lynda Mullaly Hunt about the novel.

The next day, Sunday January 26th, I’ll be at Books on the Square (471, Angell Street in Providence) RI, at 11 a.m. to celebrate Safe Harbor’s release.

On Monday, 3rd February, I’m honored to share that Brooklyn Public Library is hosting a reception in honor of Safe Harbor! Here is the Facebook page: (20+) Safe Harbor by Padma Venkatraman Book Launch Party | Facebook and event listing on BPL’s website: Padma Venkatraman Book Launch Party | Brooklyn Public Library (bklynlibrary.org)

I am excited and I am praying fervently that all the events go well and as planned. I’m so grateful to PRH and to all the librarians and bookstore personnel who have come together to organize these events. And speaking of gratitude, I’m happy that Safe Harbor received excellent reviews in Kirkus and Booklist since the time that I last wrote.

“A tender coming-of-age tale with special resonance for nature lovers.” – Kirkus Reviews

“Simple and relatable, Safe Harbor mixes themes of coming-of-age, immigration, and conservation into a sweet story accessible to younger elementary readers…” –Booklist

If you can’t come to any of the events above, Books of Wonder is coordinating a campaign and will send you a signed and personalized copy along with a bookmark and postcard and a pamphlet containing writing prompts, if you order via this link by the end of the month.

What’s more, I read the audiobook – and it was such fun. If you prefer audiobooks, order your copy here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/647197/safe-harbor-by-padma-venkatraman/

In addition to the wonderful reviews, I’ve had many lovely invitations to share my thoughts on Safe Harbor. Publishers Weekly invited me to write an article for them on my connection with Safe Harbor as a BIPOC female oceanographer, which was such an honor. And I was so excited and happy to have another essay of mine showcased on the Nerdy Book Club’s website, as well as interviews on several wonderful podcasts and other online coverage. Here’s a list if you’re interested to read or listen…

Publicity: Online

12/01/24 to –School Library Journal–42 Not-To-Miss Titles, Including Manga and Audio | Starred Reviews, November 2024–National (USA)–Related link

12/01/24 to –School Library Journal–42 Not-To-Miss Titles, Including Manga and Audio | Starred Reviews, November 2024–National (USA)–Related link

12/05/24 to –Bookopolis–Review–National (USA)–Related link

12/24/24 to –Read Wonder–Review–National (USA)–Related link

01/01/25 to –Kids Bookshelf–Review–National (USA)–Related link

01/07/25 to –Publishers Weekly–Oceans Apart: Children’s Author Padma Venkatraman Showcases BIPOC Scientists–National (USA)–Related link

01/08/25 to –Children\’s Book Council–Hot off the Press: January 2025–National (USA)–Related link

01/10/25 to –Teen Librarian Toolbox–Take Five: January 2025 Middle Grade Novels–National (USA)–Related link

01/10/25 to –KidLit411–The Weekly 411 (1/10/25)–National (USA)–Related link

01/14/25 to –San Francsico Book Review–Review–National (USA)–Related link

01/18/25 to –HubPages–A Lesson from a Rehabilitated Seal Gives an Immigrant Girl a New Perspective in Engaging Read–National (USA)–Related link

01/20/25 to –YA Books Central–Author Chat with Padma Venkatraman (SAFE HARBOR), Plus Giveaway~ US ONLY!–National (USA)–Related link

01/21/25 to –Bookopolis–Giveaway–National (USA)–Related link

01/21/25 to –India West–Indian American Author Highlights Compassion And Science In New Novel–National (USA)–Related link

01/21/25 to –Nerdy Book Club–Creating a Safe Harbor For Books on Climate Change–National (USA)–Related link

Publicity: Radio + Podcast

10/17/24 to –Dr. Bickmore’s YA Wednesday–In Conversation with Padma Venkatraman–National (USA)–Related link

01/06/25 to –Words, Images, & Worlds–Words, Images, & Worlds: Padma Venkatraman Returns!–National (USA)–Related link

01/12/25 to –Wonder World Book Cafe–101. Safe Harbor Padma Venkatraman–National (USA)–Related link

01/13/25 to –Book Flood Podcast–Author Padma Venkatraman on “Safe Harbor” (E22)–National (USA)–Related link