Safe Harbor by Padma Venkatraman, 157 pages. NOVEL IN VERSE. Nancy Paulsen (Penguin), 2025. $18
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Geetha and her mom have moved to the United States after her parents’ divorce. Moving is not easy for Geetha, especially because she is having a very hard time finding anyone friendly at her school.. Instead, she has people like the shiny-smile girl who seems to be Geetha’s personal bully, hiding behind a supposedly friendly face. Then one day Geetha is at the beach when she and a boy, Miguel, find a stranded harbor seal pup. This chance encounter leads to a new friendship and a cause to support, giving Geetha things to look forward to and some courage to address some things in her life which are out of balance.
As much as I enjoyed Geetha’s story, I will always be disappointed by a novel in verse which is not poetic. Had I listened to this as an audiobook I would have had no idea it was supposed to be poetry. I like the environmental messages that are present without being in-your-face.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
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