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
* “Venkatraman’s latest novel beautifully captures the theme of finding love by letting go… a young girl from Tamil Nadu, India, relocates to America with her mother after her parents’ divorce…where she faces bullies and cultural challenges… her life begins to change when Miguel, a boy her age, and Santo, a harp seal pup in need of rescue, enter her world…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. Additionally, environmental advocates will find the subplot of rescuing Santo and the broader message of climate awareness engaging and relevant, which is a perfect fit for middle school library collections. The novel is a must-read for those who appreciate lyrical storytelling with emotional depth.” —School Library Journal, starred review
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Praise for Safe Harbor
Margarita Engle
Young People’s Poet Laureate Emeritus and Newbery Honor winning author of
The Surrender Tree:
“Safe Harbor is an exquisite verse novel by one of my favorite poets. I fell in love with each heartfelt page. The perfect blend of personal and STEM themes is truly amazing.”
Kathryn Erskine
National Book Award winning author of
Mockingbird:
“You don’t read this book so much as experience it through images and feelings, curling up in its safe harbor and watching humans and animals face challenges, yet flourish, thanks to their tenacity, understanding and love. SAFE HARBOR is like entering a dear friend’s kitchen and sharing nourishing food…you’ll breathe in sweet mango and salt air, soak up the sounds of bamboo flute and harp seal, and, after a shiver of ocean spray, embrace the warmth of friendship and hope.”
Safe Harbor Resources
Super-star librarians Jennifer LaGarde and Aliza Werner hosted a chat with Dr. Padma Venkatraman on Safe Harbor. Check out this episode of the awesome Bookelicious podcast for fun free downloadable activity pages created by Jennifer LaGarde (aka LibraryGirl):
- A link to a coloring sheet for SAFE HARBOR
- A chatterbox for SAFE HABOR
- Try Jennifer La Garde’s SAFE HARBOR connections puzzle
- Go on a Virtual Book Adventure inspired by SAFE HARBOR
Geetha and Miguel discover a baby harp seal stranded on a beach. If you come across a stranded seal or marine mammal in the United States, call your local marine mammal stranding network or use our National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Dolphin and Whale 911 app! No matter where you are, if you come across a wild animal that is in distress, make sure you take steps to keep yourself and the animal safe.
Sometimes marine mammals are stranded through no fault of ours. But, as Geetha and Miguel discover, seals and other marine mammals can be hurt by human carelessness in many ways:
- Imagine if your home melted away one day… Global warming makes ice melt and because of that, seal habitats can shrink and harp seal pups may die.
- Changing weather can confuse Whales. Global climate change changes weather patterns.
- How would you feel if someone was throwing trash into your home? That’s what we’re doing when we don’t bother to use less and throw away less. Find out what happens to what you throw away, so it doesn’t end up entangling a seal or hurting other living beings who share our world with us.
- Marine creatures can also be hurt by ship propellors and human activity in the oceans (such as mining or drilling).
Seals and other marine mammals can also be rescued by kind people. Here are some success stories:
- https://www.newportthisweek.com/articles/harp-seals-sign-of-activism-success/
- https://www.abc6.com/harp-seal-makes-its-return-to-the-ocean-after-eye-surgery/
- https://mmsc.org/blog/f/the-inspirational-story-of-one-harp-seals-long-road-to-recovery
If you’d like to discover more facts about seals and other marine life, check out these links:
Environmental impacts don’t affect all human beings equally. That is to say, unfortunately, the thoughtless actions of a few affect everyone – but not everyone is equally affected. For example, people who live close to the coast in the tropics may be more likely to lose homes and more due to global warming and sea-level rise compared to others. In addition to certain locations that are vulnerable, certain populations are also more vulnerable. For example, even if one lives near the coast, if one is wealthy, one may be able to sustain a loss or recover from it far more quickly than if one has less socioeconomic power. Here are some resources to help you learn about this aspect of climate change and other environmental disasters can be, starting with a poem written by a young person that features and highlights people of color who are fighting for our planet:
- https://bowseat.org/gallery/our-footprints-an-indented-abecedarian/
- https://www.nrdc.org/stories/environmental-justice-movement
- https://www.ecorise.org/environmental-justice/celebrating-black-ejheros/
- https://ocr.seattle.gov/environmental-justice-heat-waves/
- https://www.selc.org/topic/what-is-environmental-injustice/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6042867/
- https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-timeline
- https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-nature-gap/
- https://www.hispanicaccess.org/news-resources/research-library/item/978-the-nature-gap-confronting-racial-and-economic-disparities-in-the-destruction-and-protection-of-nature-in-america
There are many ways to help our planet and the creatures who live in it, including other human beings who are affected by global climate change and pollution. Here’s a starter list of links that may interest you.
- https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/ocean/earthday.html
- https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/science/nature/how-to-save-the-planet/
- https://www.meetthewildthings.com/cbcc.html
- https://kidsforsavingearth.org
The most important way to help each other, protect animals, and preserve our planet is to be mindful about what you’re doing and how it affects all that is around you. Be thoughtful – and do your best to be kind. Sometimes that means changing your habits – and living life a little differently. It may mean asking if you can put up with a bit of discomfort to set an example to others by modeling a more compassionate lifestyle.
Below is a list of resources on two other themes in SAFE HARBOR – parental mental health and bullying. These may help you take care of yourself and take care of others, too. Remember – to save our planet, you have to make sure you are well, and that those around you are treated right!
- https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/when-a-parent-is-depressed
- https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/talk-depression.html
- https://www.parents.com/health/mental/how-to-parent-while-depressed/
- https://www.stopbullying.gov/kids
- https://www.learningforjustice.org/classroom-resources
Padma Venkatraman has added a special new presentation and a new writing workshop for schools, and keynotes that speak to the themes of ecology, environmental racism, conservation, and/or mental health awareness. Invite her for an event via her speaking agency, https://theauthorvillage.com/presenters/padma-venkatraman/