Safe Harbor

Gr 5 Up–Venkatraman, who immigrated alone from India to earn her doctorate in oceanography, returns to the sea in her latest novel-in-verse. She continues to self-narrate (her fourth thus far), lyrically embodying various characters with diverse accents, of various ages, genders, backgrounds. “I really want to build a new life here,” declares Geetha’s mother, having left everything familiar after divorce in India for Rhode Island to pursue her psychology PhD. Young Geetha’s transition proves more difficult, painfully realizing “people don’t want to make friends if you’re different.” A chance encounter with local boy Miguel leads to an unexpected seal pup rescue on the nearby beach. Recognizing parallels with Miguel’s story and the seal’s progressive recuperation—and soothed by her beloved flute music—helps Geetha slowly but surely find her own safe harbor.