# @etraintalks on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DGli4C5SZhY
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/26961637-etraintalks-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/039a90456c.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-02-27T18:51:41.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** E TRAIN TALKS - 12 Year Old Literacy Advocate (@etraintalks) — https://gondola.cc/etraintalks

## Caption

SAFE HARBOR by author @venkatraman.padma, is a #mglit novel-in-verse that shares Geetha’s story of #immigrating to the United States to start a new life with her Amma (mom) after leaving her familiar and safe homeland of India. As the story opens up, we learn that although Geetha is new to America, we soon realize that she’s not unlike other tweens, Geetha faces mean girls, friendship heartache, and knows all too well what if feels like being part of a family divided by divorce, but Geetha’s story is also unique because, as she’s trying to adjust to living in a country, she’s faced with difficult challenges, like langue and cultural differences, and because of these differences, she’s having to figure out how to cope with standing out from the other kids in her school. Geetha talks differently, eats different foods, and dresses differently, and because of this, Geetha’s journey in America starts off very bumpy and very lonely. School bullies become part of her daily life and missing her Appa (dad) and family back in India fill her with thoughts most of the time. Geetha misses her home and is angry that her Ammah has moved her to this new and unfriendly land. Geetha only has her music to comfort her now, but even that feels like it’s slipping away, until something unexpected happens to change the course of her life. With the help of her newfound friend Miguel, Geetha rescues a stranded and hurt baby seal from near death, and in the process, saves herself as well. 

There is so much to love about SAFE HARBOR. Venkatraman beautifully conveys Geetha’s story with poetic harmony. The building of friendships and the bonds of family fill the pages of this #middlegrade tale, as well as such topics as immigration and adjustment, nature & conservation, and climate change, all added in such a way that doesn’t preach or lecture readers but teaches us… in a verse. A touching melody unfolds within pages of this sweet, uplifting & inspirational read. Padma Venkatraman has a way with words; her story will surely embrace your heart & soul as much as it does mine. A 10/10 impactful #story .

#bookblogger #mentalhealth #conservation

## Stats

- **Views:** 66
- **Likes:** 22
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 2

## Tags

conservation, immigrating, mglit, middlegrade, story, bookblogger, mentalhealth

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