Podcast appearances and mentions of padma venkatraman

Introducing the 10th Annual Author Spotlight Series on the Two Writing Teachers blog, featuring daily interviews with children's authors and illustrators who share their creative journeys and writing processes. Listeners get a preview of the week's lineup, including stories of resilience, identity, and collaboration from Tim Donohue, Tyler Gordon, Maham Khwaja, Rebecca Gardyn Levington, Patty McGee, and Padma Venkatraman. The episode also highlights exciting book giveaways and virtual author visit opportunities for those who leave a comment on the guest authors' posts. Get ready to be inspired by the featured authors' experiences!Click here to read posts from the Author Spotlight Series on Two Writing Teachers!Thanks to our affiliate, Zencastr. Use our special link (https://zen.ai/mqsr2kHXSP2YaA1nAh2EpHl-bWR9QNvFyAQlDC3CiEk) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan. Send us a textPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district. Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

Children’s and young-adult authors often explore the pain and loneliness of growing up. Padma Venkatraman does it in an elegantly told story that also explores immigration, environmental change, and the power of friends to make everything better. Venkatraman is an award-winning author who was born in Chennai, India. Before becoming a novelist, earned a Ph.D. in oceanography from The College of William and Mary. She conducted postdoctoral research in Environmental Engineering at Johns Hopkins University and later worked in Germany. She also served as head of Inwoods Small School, and taught oceanography and directed diversity efforts at the University of Rhode Island. Venkatraman is the author of five novels including “Climbing the Stairs,” “Island’s End,” “A Time to Dance,” and “The Bridge Home.” She has written several other books, including: “Double Stars: The Story of Caroline Herschel (Profiles in Science),” “Women Mathematicians (Profiles in Mathematics),” and the illustrated “Growing Gold,” “Born Behind Bars” and “Cleverest Thief.” Her latest book is “Safe Harbor,” was published this month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this engaging conversation, Padma Venkatraman chats with Jennifer about her new novel in verse, Safe Harbor, exploring themes of belonging, empowerment, and mental health representation. They delve into Padma's personal reading journey, her experiences as a writer, and the significance of music and nature in her storytelling. The discussion also touches on Padma's future projects and the importance of diverse representation in children's literature. Show notes, including episode transcripts and information about connecting with this episode's guest, can be found here.  Chapters 00:00 Getting to Know Padma 05:07 Exploring Safe Harbor 11:48 Themes of Belonging and Empowerment 18:01 Mental Health Representation 23:58 The Role of Music and Nature 33:08 Looking Ahead: Future Projects

If you're looking for a heartwarming and thought-provoking middle-grade novel that explores themes of diversity, mental health, and environmental stewardship, you'll want to check out "Safe Harbor" by Padma Venkatraman. In this episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with Padma to dive into the inspiration and themes behind her latest book. Padma shares how her own experiences as a young Indian immigrant to the United States shaped her desire to create stories that reflect the diverse experiences of children. She explains the powerful metaphor of "stories as ships that sail the oceans of compassion," emphasizing the importance of books that can serve as mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors for young readers. As Padma delves into the plot of "Safe Harbor," listeners learn about the book's multilayered themes, including immigration, divorce, bullying, and mental health. Padma's personal struggles with depression and her mission to portray strong characters with mental health challenges come through in her thoughtful insights. But it's not all heavy topics - Padma also shares the joyful and playful origins of "Safe Harbor," inspired by a chance encounter with a seal on the beach. The conversation explores how Padma's background in oceanography and her lifelong love of storytelling converge in this heartwarming tale of a young girl's journey to find her place in a new country. The episode also features an insightful discussion with author Jennifer Burns, whose book "Building Readers from Playground to Print" offers practical strategies for helping children transition from playful, imaginative learning to the more structured world of reading and writing. Jennifer shares valuable tips for parents and teachers, emphasizing the importance of understanding the learner's perspective and creating engaging, scaffolded experiences to foster a love of reading. Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply a lover of great middle-grade fiction, this episode is sure to leave you inspired to explore the depths of compassion and connection that Padma Venkatraman's writing has to offer. So grab a cup of tea, settle in, and get ready to set sail on an unforgettable literary adventure. Click here to visit our website – www.ReadingWithYourKids.com Follow Us On Social Media Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/readingwithyourkids Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/readingwithyourkids/ X - https://x.com/jedliemagic LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/reading-with-your-kids-podcast/ Please consider leaving a review of this episode and the podcast on whatever app you are listening on, it really helps!  

 Geetha's important story will be loved by middle grade readers with its relatable topics such as immigrating to a new and very different country (from India to the U.S.), bullying, friendship, music, the healing power of nature, and young people who strive to make an incredible difference in their community.  Transcript here

On our mid-month check in for June 2024, we recap some of the latest Asian American publishing announcements, as well as catch up on some awards news and check in on the latest book tea!Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:Chasing Sunspots by Victoria YingMendell Station by J.B. HwangRings of Fate by Melissa de la CruzInvitation Only by Alexandra Brown ChangRage Will Be Your Savior by K-Ming Chang Exhausted Monsters by K-Ming ChangFaraway Family by Padma Venkatraman; illust. by Nicole WongFoodie Fest written by Rina Singh and illustrated by Flo Leung Coldwire by Chloe GongScribble by Gavin Aung ThanNews stories covered on this episode:E.J. Koh has won the 24th annual NYPL Young Lions FictionAwardCostco will stop selling books year-round starting inJanuary 2025Kim Crisci, who went by the pen name “Kim Chi,” pretendedto be Korean American to promote her alleged Own Voices stories.Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba June 2024 pick is Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K....

Padma Venkatraman, contributor to Things We Do, edited by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong, shares a poem for Poetry Month. ADDITIONAL LINKS: Padma Venkatraman website - padmavenkatraman.com Purchase the book - Things We Do CREDITS:   This podcast episode of The Children's Book Podcast was written, edited, and produced by Matthew Winner. For a full transcript of this episode, visit matthewcwinner.com.    Write to me or send me a message at matthewmakespods@gmail.com.    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcast hosting by Libsyn.    You can support the show and buy me a coffee at www.matthewcwinner.com.   We are a proud member of Kids Listen, the best place to discover the best in kids podcasts. Learn more at kidslisten.org.   Fellow teachers and librarians, want a way to explore building a stronger culture of reading in our communities? In The Reading Culture podcast, Beanstack co-founder Jordan Bookey hosts conversations that dive into beloved authors' personal journeys and insights into motivating young people to read. And I am a big fan! Check out the Reading Culture Podcast with Jordan Bookey, from Beanstack. Available wherever podcasts are found. DISCLAIMER: Bookshop.org affiliate links provided for any book titles mentioned in the episode. Bookshop.org support independent bookstores and also shares a small percentage of any sales made through this podcast back to me, which helps to fund production of this show.

On this episode, Michelle San Miguel visits Rhode Island dairies, where farmers face an uncertain future. Then, in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II's death, Pamela Watts interviews a local artist about her unique experience meeting the Queen. Plus, a conversation with local author Padma Venkatraman, who traveled the world as an oceanographer before becoming a novelist.

Indy reveals the winners (and who he thinks should have won) from the 2022 Young Readers Choice Awards like; New Kid by Jerry Craft, The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman, With The Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo, and more. Samantha revisits the early days of the pandemic with Jodi Picoult's novel Wish You Were Here. Then we reveal next week's big watch, the underappreciated 1999 animated classic The Iron Giant!   Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult: https://www.jodipicoult.com/wish-you-were-here.html    YRCA at EPL: https://www.epl.ca/yrca/ The Young Reader's Choice Awards (YRCA) is a year-long reading program for children in Grades 4 to 12 living in Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana and Washington. Sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Library Association (PNLA), it is the only award where children choose the nominated books and the winners. The Iron Giant trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhS6Uinx5jw&ab_channel=WarnerBros.   The Iron Giant on Tubi: https://tubitv.com/movies/589394?utm_source=justwatch-feed&tracking=justwatch-feed   The Iron Giant on Hoopla: https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/14428392

Hello dancersss! This week, we're back to finish our conversation on the BEAUTIFUL, LOVELY, ICONIC ASS TALE, A Time to Dance! No, but seriously, this book is so so soooo moving, please read it immediately.  Anywho, do some gentle stretching and get cozy as we talk about Chandra's charisma, Veda's spiritual ascension, and whether or not Govinda will find himself in the bottom two this week (spoiler alert: he will). Icebreaker Question: 1:18 - 19:40 Plot Summary: 19:57 - 59:09 Discussion: 59:18 - 1:34:52 Of course, if you wanna stay afloat on all our latest episodes, you can find the links to our Twitter (@TheColoredPages), Instagram (@TheseColoredPages), Website (thesecoloredpages.com), and  Reading List here: https://linktr.ee/thecoloredpages . You can also reach us directly by emailing us at thesecoloredpages@gmail.com . Come say hi!!

Niba and Adhya sit down to talk about Indian Americans in the media. Our guest, Adhya, a 16 year old, first-generation Indian American from the west coast is a lover of poetry, stories and her culture. Listen in as the two have a deep conversation about how they feel Indian culture is represented and where things could improve.   Books Mentioned: The Stationary Shop by Marjan Kamali A Time To Dance by Padma Venkatraman    Other Resources mentioned:  Karma by Raja Kumari Ms Marvel (2014)    Follow and support our host:   Niba: Instagram | YouTube |  TikTok | Website  Beyond the Box: Our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday This episode was edited by Phalin Oliver and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people. Original music by @iam.onyxrose   Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.

Hello colorful cast of characters, welcome back to the Colored Pages Book Club, that reoccurring auditory sitcom masquerading as a book club! This week we are discussing Marci's pick, "A Time to Dance" by Padma Venkatraman. So, if it suits you, join Marci and Ako as we discuss ableism, transcendental movement, bharatanatyam dance, the meaning of bodies and movements, and our typical joke and jests!    Intro /Question: 00:00:14 - 00:14:30 Summary: 00:14:51 - 00:40:37 Discussion: 00:40:53 - 1:20:18   Also Check out these clips of bharatanatyam dance to see this beautiful dance style https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWhA3ldZcyY  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LDInQzeuIQ  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHj1-07KbV8    Also check out Padma Venkatraman's Website!! https://padmavenkatraman.com/    And, of course, if you wanna stay afloat on all our latest episodes, you can find the links to our Twitter (@TheColoredPages), Instagram (@TheseColoredPages), Website (thesecoloredpages.com), and  Reading List here: https://linktr.ee/thecoloredpages . You can also reach us directly by emailing us at thesecoloredpages@gmail.com . Come say hi!!

In today's episode, I had the opportunity to speak with award winning author Dr. Padma Venkatraman. She discusses her inspiration for her novels and her dedication to fighting for equity and diversity. We are grateful for authors like Dr. Venkatraman. To learn more about her, please visit her website: padmavenkatraman.com

Join children's book authors  Rajani LaRocca and Artemis Roehrig as they talk to oceanographic researcher and children's book author Padma Venkatraman  about Oceanography & Compassion. Books Recommended on this Episode:Usha and the Big DiggerAmitha Jagannath Knight (Author)  Sandhya Prabhat (Illustrator)Why Do We See Rainbows?by Melissa Stewart Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to DreamTanya Lee Stone (Author)  Margaret A. Weitekamp (Foreword by)Just Like Rube Goldberg: The Incredible True Story of the Man Behind the MachinesSarah Aronson (Author)  Robert Neubecker (Illustrator)Solid, Liquid, Gassy! (a Fairy Science Story)Ashley Spires (Author)Also check out: https://diversebooks.org/

Ocean Pollution is a serious problem. How do scientists study it? And what can be done about this? Listen to this fascinating and fact-filled chat with Dr. Padma Venkatraman, who is not only an esteemed oceanographer but also an award-winning author! Dr. Padma explains the science of pollution and challenges us all to help clean it up! 

The idea of “caste,” or a hereditary structure to society is foreign to many U.S. audiences. But Padma Venkatraman takes young readers into the caste structure of her native India in a soulful exploration of identity and hope. Venkatraman is an award-winning author who was born in Chennai, India.  Before becoming a novelist, she earned a Ph.D. in oceanography from The College of William and Mary.  She conducted postdoctoral research in Environmental Engineering at Johns Hopkins University and later worked in Germany.  She also served as head of Inwoods Small School, and taught oceanography and directed diversity efforts at the University of Rhode Island.  Venkatraman is the author of five novels including “Climbing the Stairs,”  “Island's End,” “A Time to Dance,” and “The Bridge Home.”  She has written several other books, including: “Double Stars: The Story of Caroline Herschel (Profiles in Science),” “Women Mathematicians (Profiles in Mathematics),” and the illustrated “Growing Gold” and “Cleverest Thief.”  Her latest novel, “Born Behind Bars,” was published this month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episodes, Anika had a fun discussion with Padma Venkatraman, author of The Bridge Home, and 'Born Behind Bars', which is her newest novel which released on September 7, 2021. She has written many other books in the past, like Island's End, Climbing the Stairs, and others. In this conversation, Padma Venkatraman explains about her high points and low points of publishing, and also gives some excellent advice for young writers and authors on publishing. To know more about her, go to her website: https://padmavenkatraman.com/ Stay tuned for new episodes every Sunday --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/anika674/message

In today's episode:

While sorting her late daughter’s belongings, Becky makes a surprising discovery that eventually takes her across the world to India, where her eyes are opened to a whole new world. Consumed with the desire to “do something” but unsure of what to do, the answer to Becky’s prayer is startlingly simple, and begins an effort that will eventually impact thousands, but most importantly, lead Becky to personal healing through Jesus Christ. Get pictures, bios and more in our shownotes at LDSLiving.com/thisisthegospel You can also follow us on Instagram or facebook @thisisthegospel_podcast TRANSCRIPT KaRyn  0:03   Welcome to "This Is the Gospel," an LDS Living podcast where we feature real stories from real people, who are practicing and living their faith every day. I'm your host KaRyn Lay.  As someone who works full time – and maybe a little bit more than full time, because I really love my job – Saturdays are my only day to run errands. And when it comes to General Conference, I'm not organized enough to remember to get everything done ahead of the Saturday sessions. So I admit, sometimes I find myself on the road when conference starts. And I tell you this so that you'll understand why I remember that I was sitting in the parking lot of a dollar store when I first heard sister Craig's talk, "Eyes to See" from the October 2020 General Conference.  I picked it up right as Sister Craig was telling the story of a friend who was in the middle of a painful divorce. That friend really just wanted to come to the chapel and go unnoticed on the back pew, because Sunday's had become really hard days for her with the change in her family situation. But there was a 16 year old girl who had other plans.  She saw the sister sitting at the back of the chapel, and then made it a point to go and talk to her, to hug her, to comfort her that Sunday. And then she did it again and again, week after week after week. And Sister Craig quoted this friend who said, "It made such a difference in how I felt about coming to church. The truth is I started to rely on those hugs, someone noticed me, someone knew I was there, someone cared." And I of course, sat crying in my car in the parking lot, having all the feelings, because that concept of seeing others deeply from this talk, it resonated with my storyteller heart.  It's basically the whole reason that "This Is the Gospel" exists. Because seeing people deeply is the key to the kind of charity that isn't just giving things away. It's the kind of charity that demands and offers us Christlike connection to every person, and the kind of charity that defines our Christian discipleship.  The thing I loved most about Sister Craig's talk – look, I'm crying before we even get started – the thing I love about a Sister Craig's talk was that she acknowledged that in order for us to see others deeply, we first have to have eyes to see. And that part is going to take some introspection, and a commitment to examining the terms of our covenants.  So today, we have one powerful story from Becky, a woman who desperately needed eyes to see, and how the Lord offered that gift to her in a truly unique way.  A quick note, this story contains a brief mention of suicide and descriptions of disease that might be difficult for some sensitive listeners. Here's Becky. Becky  2:41   My oldest daughter, Amber, was severely bipolar. Amber struggled in and out of mental institutions when she got into high school, for the next seven years, trying to find healing. And she eventually gave up and took her own life. I was devastated. The loss of a child is always soul rending, but the loss of a child through suicide is absolutely crushing.  She was in college at the time that she died, and when we went through her things, we found that she had been sending part of the money we gave her for college every month to support an orphan in India. I was really surprised to find this out because, you know, typically college students are really struggling to make ends meet. But I think maybe because she suffered so much she just had a tender spot for the underdog. And I think it lifted her and it kind of helped keep her going.  So we decided that her funeral, instead of having people send flowers, we just asked them to send donations to this little orphanage that she was sending money to. People were so generous than enough money was sent in that the orphanage asked me to be on the board of directors. And I thought, okay, if I'm going to be on this board, maybe I better go to India and see what it is I'm doing.  But there was more than that. I was struggling to find healing for this gaping wound that seemed to have hit my own soul. And I was really hoping that when I got to this orphanage and saw what Amber was so involved in, that it would bring some closure for me, also.  When I got to India, the children in the orphanage were darling. 54 of them, and this was back in 2000. As we would go from our hotel to the orphanage and then at night back again, on the streets of India, every time our car stopped at a stoplight, these beggars would just engulf us. Pounding on the windows and these were not normal beggars. Their faces were sunken. Some of them their eyes were gone. They had pus dripping down their arms and rotting hands and feet. I just have never seen anything like it.  They're suffering to me just seemed almost palpable. And they were pounding the windows. And I was with three other women, and so we would just start talking to each other whenever the car started slowing down at a stoplight, because we didn't want to look at them. We didn't know what we could do for them. I said to our driver, "Who are these people?" And he said, "Oh, those are the lepers." I said, "What are you talking about? There's no leprosy in the world today." He goes, "Yeah, we have millions in India."  And I thought, seriously? Millions of people live this way? Why doesn't somebody do something? At night when I would be in my bed trying to sleep, I would just keep thinking about these people. And I just thought, this problem is huge. What can I do? I mean, who am I? I'm a homemaker. I mean, I'm not anyone that could do anything. But I kept thinking, why doesn't somebody do something? And then finally I thought, well, duh, you're somebody do something.  One night, I just started to pray. And I said, "If you want me to do something, you need to teach me. I mean, I have no idea what to do." And the thought just came to me, you can just look at them. And I thought, what? I just have to look at them? I mean, seriously, that's it? But I thought about it, I thought, well, maybe no one looks at them. Maybe they need to be validated or accepted as human beings. So I thought, well, you know, this is a little thing.  Yes. Okay, so I can look at them. So the next day, I was determined to look at them. But, as we got in the car and started to go in the morning, it was just that same sense of feeling – so sad to look at them. I had a hard time. But then we came to a stoplight. And the driver said, "Becky, open the window, stick your head out and tell that woman to back away. I'm afraid that when the light turns green, I'm going to run over her." So I opened the window and put my head out. And here's this woman who had crawled up to the car on her belly. Now, you have to know that everyday in India in the summer in Chennai is over 100 degrees, that blacktop is boiling hot. But she crawled up, she was bone thin. This ragged, sari draping, and of course, saris are just a long piece of material, there's no – they're not really sewn. And so it was, you know, separating as she crawled and she was there scratching the tires on our car trying to get our attention.  And I leaned my head out the window and yelled at her, you know, "Move away, move away." And she looked up, and there was just the split second that our gazes met. And I thought, oh my gosh, she's just a woman. She's just like me. She's probably a mother. I mean, I have no idea, right? I mean, it just, it was so fast. And then the light was green, the car was gone. And that was it. You know, there are moments of life – they're gone. You just can't get them back. And that was one of those moments, but I could not get her out of my mind the rest of the time I was in India.  When I finally got home to Georgia, I had the same problem. I couldn't sleep because these images just haunted me at night. And finally, one morning after a long night, I got up and I thought okay, Becky, well, you can have insomnia forever, or you can do something about this.  And so I called three of my friends who were also homemakers. These were people I'd worked with over the years in different organizations, Young Women's, Relief Society, whatever, and people that I knew were doers. And I said, "I have a project for us. It's a surprise, come on over to my home, and let's talk about it." They came over, we sat around my kitchen table and we talked about my experience. And I said "We gotta do something, ladies."  And they said, "Well, what are your thoughts?" I said "Well, I don't really have any thoughts." "Well, what do you think we should do?" "I have no idea. But you are very creative people. Maybe together we can think of something. At the very least we need to raise money and hire a doctor. Those people over there need to get their wounds treated for one thing." So they said, "Okay, well we could raise money to hire a doctor."  But really, we were clueless. Frankly, we threw out ideas, we didn't know anything, but we were excited. And everybody left excited. So when my husband, John, got home a few minutes after they left, I was still very excited. I said, "John, you are never gonna believe what I did today." He said, "Becky, those are words that strike fear into my heart" –does have a history. But he said, "Alright, hit me." And I said, "Okay, so, you know, my friends came over and we have formed a charity. We are going to serve people in India that have leprosy," and he just was stunned. And he said, "Seriously?" He said, "Becky, what do you know about leprosy?" And I thought, oh, well, nothing. And he said, "Okay, well, what do you know about medicine?" And I said, "Well, not a lot . . .  I mean, you know, nothing – essentially." And he said, "What do you know about India?"  And I said, "I was there. I was there for 10 days." And he just kind of rolled his eyes and he said, "What do you know about running a nonprofit or a business?" And I said, "Okay, nothing." And he said, "Well, what do you think you're going to do?" And I said, "I don't know. But we're gonna do something. And I know, if people donate to us, we're gonna need a license that says that they don't have to pay taxes, you're an attorney, you need to get us that license." And he said, "I see." He said, "That's called a 501C3 license, and normally, Becky, when you ask the government for one you have to tell them what you're going to do."  I said, "Great. Just tell them we're going to do something." And that's how we started. We were four housewives and a secretary. And we thought we were going to change the world, right? But I have learned since then, that it is possible for one person to make a difference in this world. There's all kinds of things written about the power of one, but when one person is joined by others, then that power is multiplied exponentially. And in our case, we just literally saw that happen. Not because we were smart, or we were anything, because we weren't nearly smart enough to create what has followed. And we made mistakes. And we were humbled. We encouraged each other though, rather than give up.  But I kept wanting – when I would go back – to find that one lady, I just kept looking for her. I never did find her again. But God brought many wonderful people to help us. One day, I was sitting in my bedroom in Norcross, Georgia, and the phone rang and the woman was on the phone. As she said, my name is, "Padma Venkatraman and I work in India with people that have leprosy, why don't we partner?" And I just thought, well, who are you? And I didn't learn from her then, but later, I learned that she was the daughter of the former President of India, that she had been the permanent woman's representative to the United Nations from India for 20 years, and that during much of that time, she was the Head of the Council on women's affairs. So essentially, the top woman in the world on women's issues. And so she had all the experience that we didn't have, and she began to teach us and to try to guide us.  In India, there's a very strong caste system. The government claims that it was outlawed, and it no longer exists, but it's very much alive in the hearts of the people. And the leprosy affected know that they're not to be touched. In fact, they're that very, very bottom of the untouchable caste, there are hundreds of well defined levels within each caste. And they are the very, very bottom – they're the most cursed by God. In fact, they are so untouchable that until just the late 1980's, by law, if their shadow touched you, you were considered defiled, and you were justified by law in beating them almost to death.  So they were frightened when we first started touching them. Because in India, typically the lighter your skin, the higher your caste. And since we have light skin, they were afraid that if anyone saw, that they would become angry, and that they would beat them because they were being touched by a high caste person. So they were in fact afraid of being touched by us. So there was a huge gulf there that we had to learn to cross, and they had to learn to be able to cross it.  We could not find a single doctor that would work for us, because the leprosy affected are considered the very bottom of the untouchable caste. And they are so stigmatized that when we tried to hire doctors for any amount of money, they'd say, "Oh. I could never work with people that have leprosy, because then I would become defiled and all my patients would leave me and I would lose my entire practice. And so no, I can't work for you." When Padma joined as she said, "Oh, I've worked with so many doctors at the UN, with leprosy, I can surely find you a doctor in India." And she did. And we were able to start a little mobile medical clinic. But every time I came to India, I noticed that the wounds weren't really getting any better. They seemed to be just the same to me. As I said to our doctor, "Hey, we're paying you all this money, how come these wounds aren't getting any better?" And he just looked so discouraged. He said, "You know what, it's because they never do anything I asked them to do." And I was astounded. I said, "What do you mean, why? Why won't they do what you asked him to do?" And he said, "I don't know."  I asked Padma, and Padma was quiet for a few moments. And then she said, "You Americans. You come to India, and you just give things away. I know it probably makes you feel good, but the truth is, nothing given free has any value. And anytime you give something to someone, you diminish that person, because in essence, all you're doing is making them beggars to you. If you truly want to lift people, make them responsible for their own well-being. You can't just give away medical treatment."  And I said, "They don't have any money". She says, "Well, they can pay two rupees" – which is like about three cents, U.S. – "and they'll feel like they're paying for their medical treatment." But she said, "If you want to lift them, give them the power to lift themselves." And so we started charging two rupees to see the doctor. Well, the amazing thing is the next time I came to India, those wounds were all healing. And the doctor said, "They're doing everything I asked them to do."  So we created a campus at Rising Star Outreach. And in this campus – all of our students have to live on campus because the leprosy colonies are so far spread apart, they couldn't possibly come and go every day. They're not welcomed on public transport. And so the donor who donated the money to build the girls and the boys dorm, they got to name them. And they decided to name the little girl's dorm, the "Amber Douglas Home for Girls," after my daughter, Amber, who really was the one that started all this. And I have to tell you that every time I go to India, and I've now been 66 times – but every time I walk on that campus as see her picture over the doorway, I get chills. And I think you know, there are hundreds of girls on this dorm right now, and there are hundreds, over the years that will go through this dorm, and their lives will be vastly different. They will be able to go back into normal society, they will lose this stigma of being an untouchable. And these girls will one day marry and have children, and those children's lives will be vastly different. Because their mothers came to Rising Star.  And over time, thousands and thousands of little girls lives will be changed for the better, and all because my daughter suffered. I think that God is so incredibly wonderful. That he can take our most terrible tragedies, and he can find a way to bring beauty and joy out of them and healing out of them.  There was a time in 2004, this terrible deadly tsunami hit the Indian Ocean, and was ranked as one of the top natural disasters ever recorded, because it killed a quarter of a million people across several countries. And our little children's home was right across the street from the ocean. And that tsunami, it was six feet high. It was traveling over 500 miles an hour, it destroyed everything in its path. And our children's home was on a hill, and we were above six feet. And so that wave literally came to the bottom of our porch and stopped and pulled back. And it was just this unbelievable, tender mercy of God. We didn't lose the single life. But all around us were tens of thousands of deaths. It was just absolute devastation.  I caught the next flight to India, and spent the next several weeks trying to help these people recover. Trying to help mothers find their children or their husbands. We worked 18–20 hour days with just a few hours of sleep at night. And one day when we came home, the guy who was with me, his name was Gopi. He was the leader of our children's home. And he looked at me and he said, "Becky, I'm afraid I'm losing my belief in God. What kind of a God would do something like this?" He said, "Look at the suffering that we see, all day every day. I just can't believe that you talking about a loving God."  And I felt like I needed to have an answer for him. And so I just sent a little prayer heaven ward, and I truly felt the presence of my daughter, who just immediately was in that car with us. And it was so sweet and so overwhelming. And I knew immediately the answer. And I said "Gopi, the hardest thing I ever did in my life was bury my daughter." And he knew that, because that's what had brought me to India. And he, I mean a little tear came down his cheek and I said, "But Gopi, if I hadn't buried Amber, the children in the children's home that you love – as if they were your own – where would they be today? If I had not buried Amber?" And I said, "You know Gopi, God is so wonderful. He gave the Atonement for us and that's why he can take anything that is so horrible in our lives, then He can bring good out of it. And He will bring good out of this. I don't know how, I have no idea what. But He will bring good."  And by now, his head was in his hands and he was sobbing. Just, I mean, he was so stunned by this whole thing. He went home, years later after he left Rising Star I got an email from him and he said, "Becky, do you remember that night when we had that talk?" and I went, "Oh, do I remember that night. Yes, I do." And he said, "I didn't believe you." He said, "But you know what? You were right." He said, "Look at what's happened." He said, "All these international charities poured into India, those miserable huts that the fishermen lived in, have all been rebuilt, close – further inland, they now have water and electricity and bathrooms. They've made they've built schools for their children."  And he said, "And the best thing of all," he said, "You know what, I just thought about it. I've never seen a higher caste person reach down to help a lower caste person in India. But at that time, they came from all over Chennai. They brought food, they brought blankets, they brought cooking oil, they brought bandages, water, they came by the hundreds. And they came day after day after day trying to help these lower, untouchable people." And he said, "That's the only time I've ever seen India come together as brother and sister." And he said, "Good did come from that."  And I think that little moments like this, I did learn that each of us has a power within us to make a difference in the world.  We work with 65,000 people today, across the nine states of India, 160 leprosy colonies, we have 1300 children in school. And I think, God did this because my daughter suffered.  The other thing that happens is – I have to tell you, I feel her. When I go to India, I feel a closeness with my daughter, that I don't normally feel. And there have been times in India, when that feeling is so overwhelming, it just brings tears to my eyes. I feel like I'm being taught not only by God, but by my daughter. And that because of the sacrifice she made, many people have been healed. And of all the people that have been healed, I feel like I have been the most healed.  And I just have to humbly say how grateful I am to the Savior. Because it was His Atonement, that made this all possible. He was the great exemplar. It was his suffering that made it possible for all of us, to not – to be able to be healed of our sufferings, right? And I just feel like the fact that we can in some small way, do a small thing for others, we are following in His footsteps.  God has equal love for all of His children. I think sometimes we get confused by the term, "Chosen people." But I believe that we're chosen to serve and to bring God's truth to others. But God Himself, I don't believe plays favorites. Because I have seen as many miracles in our school for our Hindu students, as much as I have seen miracles in the lives of the few students that are members of the Church over there. I think that we need to learn to see people that same way we need to see them as God sees them, that every life has equal value. And I have learned that even through tragedy, He empowers us.  We sometimes say, "Who are we?" "I'm only a student, I'm only a wife, I'm only a mother, I'm only a secretary," whatever, "What difference can I make?" But the truth is, we all have a power within us to make a difference, because I've seen it happen. You know, I have to admit that there are times in my life when I would walk past a beggar on the street, and I would purposely not see them. I didn't want them to think I had money and that I could give it to them. Plus, it made me feel helpless to see people that were homeless. And so the fact that this was India was not the first time I had ever not seen someone. But, I don't look at beggars the same way anymore. I see them as people that just haven't had the opportunity to develop their talents, and I don't look away.  If you have eyes to see, if you're willing to see, then you have to also have a heart that cares. And if you will see, and if you will care, then you have to take some action. And once you take that action, you bring the power of God into your life. When our volunteers come to India, they always say, "I'm here to help. I'm here to heal, I'll do anything you need to do. I just can't clean up those leprosy wounds." We go, "Okay, okay." And we assign them different duties to do, working with the patients and they fall in love with the patients. And before long, all those volunteers are cleaning out leprosy wounds.  Because when you love a person, you don't see them as a disease. You see them as a friend. You see them as a child of God, and that makes all the difference in the world. And people who never thought they could do it, they'll sometimes tell us when they leave that that was the most meaningful experience that they had. These are God's children. And honestly, I think when we reached out to help his children, I feel like it opens the heavens and God pours blessings on you and you are healed. And I just think that that's a beautiful thing. That God gave us a gift, that we can reach out to others so that we can find wholeness within ourselves. KaRyn  25:17   That was Becky Douglas. We are so grateful for the years of soul searching and effort that she put into her quest for eyes to see. It led her to an understanding about the true value of every human life.  And we agree, if you or someone you love is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, please, please reach out to someone for help. You can text 741741 from anywhere in the U.S. or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, because there is always hope for healing and light at the end of the tunnel.  Maybe after listening to Becky's story, you feel like I do, that there are almost too many lessons to take from it. There is so much good stuff here. But one thing I love about the spirit is that it helps us to hear what each of us needs to hear individually. So maybe what you heard was that when people are united in a righteous cause with hearts turned towards the Savior, they can accomplish anything. Or that sometimes we need other people like Padma and Gopi, to show us what we don't know as we embark on our mission.  Maybe it was the lesson that when we see each other with the pure love of Christ, it transforms any act of service from an obligation to a true joy. Whatever it was, you heard, write it down. Don't forget it. We've been lucky enough to sit together in the Spirit today, to have our eyes open, and it's our privilege to write it somewhere permanent so it can be written in our hearts.  Since first recording this story I've been drawn to look closer at a painting that we have hanging in our living room. It's Carl Bloch's healing at the pools of Bethesda. It shows the Savior moving among people who were by many objective standards, untouchables, like the friends that Becky met in India. They were lame, diseased, disfigured and hidden from society.  In the center of the painting, there's a little shack made of sticks and straw and a drape of fabric covering a man who we learned from scripture is at the pools because he hopes for healing from its waters. But there's no one there to help him get down from his perch and into the water fast enough. And of course, he has no idea that the source of all true healing and hope is standing right in front of him, not until the Savior tells him to take up his bed and walk. That he doesn't need the pool, he's healed without ever having to touch the water.  I love that story. But I love the painting because it shows Christ actively uncovering the hiding place of this man. Lifting the curtain of his darkened makeshift shack, and bringing him into the light so he can be seen and see the miracle that is about to occur.  Sister Craig said this, "Jesus Christ sees people deeply. He sees individuals their needs and who they can become. Where others saw fishermen, sinners, publicans – Jesus saw disciples. Where others saw a man possessed by devils, Jesus looked past that outward distress, acknowledged the man, and healed him." End quote. He looked, He acknowledged, and then He healed.  I loved how Becky put it in her story, if we will have eyes to see, then we'll care and once we care, will act just as the Savior did. Loving action is the natural result of the gift of Godly vision and eyes to see. And that action definitely doesn't have to look like all of us running off to India to do exactly what Becky did.  I always think of Sister Linda K. Burton's talk, "I Was a Stranger," where she wisely reminded us with a story I might add, that as we seek to do good in the world, we should also go home and serve our neighbors. I say let's start there. Let's start by asking humbly for eyes to see what's really going on around us in our current sphere. And let's ask for the courage to look beyond the things that feel strange or different or confusing.  As we practice the spiritual skill of looking, opportunities to see deeply will come. We'll grow in our ability to acknowledge one another the way that Christ did, and it only gets better. From there, our vision, our vision will bloom and grow and deepen and expand until, like those volunteers who couldn't possibly imagine cleaning the wounds of a leper, we will be filled with the love of the Savior that makes it possible for us to do whatever we are called to do. To lift the curtains of those hiding places, to bring one another into the light to be seen, and to finally see the miracles of Christ's healing. That's it for this episode of "This Is the Gospel." Thank you to our storyteller Becky Douglas and all the people she works with at Rising Star Outreach. We'll have more about Becky and her experiences in India including pictures in our show notes at LDSliving.com/thisisthegospel.  You can also get more great stuff by following us on Instagram or Facebook @thisisthegospel_podcast. We love to hear how this podcast and specific stories have stuck with you, you can leave a review on Apple, Stitcher, or whatever platform you listen on.  All of the stories in this episode are true and accurate as affirmed by our storyteller, and we find a lot of our stories through our pitch line. If you have a story to share about a time when maybe you were sitting in $1 store parking lot and learned something new about the gospel of Jesus Christ, well, we want to hear from you. The best pitches will be short and sweet and have a clear sense of the focus of your story. You'll have three minutes to pitch your story when you call 515-519-6179.  This episode was produced by me KaRyn Lay with so much story production and help and editing from Sarah Blake, Erika Free and Kelly Campbell. It was scored, mixed and mastered by Mix at Six studios, and our executive producer is Erin Hallstrom. You can find past episodes of this podcast and all the other LDS Living podcasts at LDSLiving/podcasts.   Show Notes + Transcripts: http://ldsliving.com/thisisthegospel See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, the first page of three middle grade books will be read:The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman,Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed, andBlended by Sharon M. Draper

In honor of the final year of the Global Read Aloud, Unabridged Podcast revisits our episode from last year, in which we discussed Cherie Dimaline's The Marrow Thieves, Padma Venkatraman's The Bridge Home, and Kelly Yang's Front Desk. Join us in celebrating this fantastic program, which highlights books for young people and promotes global collaboration.   Bookish Check-in Ashley - Mark Oshiro’s Each of Us a Desert (thanks to Partner NetGalley) Jen - Roshani Chokshi’s The Silvered Serpents (thanks to Partner NetGalley) Sara - Beth O’Leary’s The Switch (thanks to Partner Libro.fm)   Celebrating the Global Read Aloud Cherie Dimaline's The Marrow Thieves Padma Venkatraman's The Bridge Home Kelly Yang's Front Desk   Mentioned in Episode Roshani Chokshi's The Gilded Wolves Mark Oshiro's Anger Is a Gift Alexis Hall's Boyfriend Material Beth O'Leary's The Flatshare Leslie Marmon Silko's Ceremony Cormac McCarthy's The Road Peter Heller's The Dog Stars Neal and Jarrod Shusterman's Dry Mindy McGinnis's Not a Drop to Drink Emily St. John Mandel's Station Eleven Alan Gratz's Refugee Katherine Boo's Behind the Beautiful Forevers   Give Me One - New Find Ashley - American Gods Jen - 800 Words Sara - Olive and June and Speed Cubers   Interested in what else we're reading? Check out our Featured Books page.     Want to support Unabridged? Check out our Merch Store! Become a patron on Patreon.​ Follow us @unabridgedpod on Instagram. Like and follow our Facebook Page. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our Teachers Pay Teachers store. Follow us @unabridgedpod on Twitter. Subscribe to our podcast and rate us on Apple Podcasts or on Stitcher. Check us out on Podbean.

Comment vivent les enfants chiffonniers en Inde ? Rémi, le plus jeune chroniqueur littéraire du PAF, a lu " De l'autre côté du pont " de Padma VENKATRAMAN, (ÉCOLE DES LOISIRS, dès 11 ans.) Une rubrique dEnfantillages, le magazine des livres pour enfants & ados qui s'écoute et qui se lit florencedutheil.wixsite.com/enfantillages.

Amanda and Jenn discuss summery reads, dance stories, essay collections, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, the digital hangout spot for the Book Riot community, Harper Perennial and Twisted by Emma Dabiri, and Humanity’s Gauntlet: The Archons Rise by Brian A. Sieteski, June 17th 2020. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. Feedback The Fate of Stars by SD Simper, The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and A Fish Out of Water by Karin Kallmaker (rec’d by Wynnde) Taste by Kris Bryant (rec’d by Wynnde) Ann McMann’s Dust, Jericho, and Beowulf for Cretins (rec’d by Wynnde) Questions: 1. I love to read books with a seasonal feel (cold and snowy in the Winter, spooky in Fall, etc.). I would love a book for summer that feels sunny and hot, but, the problem is, all of my favorite books are dark or gothic. My favorite genres are fantasy, mystery, and gothic but I am also open to lit fic and non-fiction. My favorite books of all time are The Diviners series by Libba Bray, Lonesome Dove, The Thirteenth Tale, Rebecca, The Night Circus, anything Tana French, The Queen of the Night, and The Secret History. -Danielle 2. Hi! I’ve sent in before but this isn’t a recommendation for me. My brother is a teenager but is only now just starting to get into reading (which I’ve been trying to do for years). He enjoys anything action packed, historical, logical, and or science fiction. As long as the book is exciting to keep him engaged and not too long. He’s 16 and grew up on Percy Jackson but hasn’t read much else from then on. Hope that helps!   -Gigi 3. Hey y’all! I would like a YA book based on the dance world. I have read some nonfiction, but I would really like a fiction book. I have been dancing for 13 years, and right now am dancing primarily ballet and pointe. I do not want a drama- filled cliche book, like dance moms. Just something where dance is a huge part of the main character’s life and is really good.  Thanks so much! -Allison  4. Hi I’ve recently been reading a lot of middlegrade books, I find they are just the mood I want for this lockdown & it’s helped me clear my backlog. My favourite was Orion Lost by Alastair Chisholm It features all the elements of science fiction I love, a bit of peril, a lot of space travel and a view of a positive future. It reminded me of Heinlien’s juveniles (without the sexism), Becky Chambers and KA Applegate’s Remnant Chronicles. I’m looking for more middle grade that is proper science fiction please help me find something that is not an earth bound dystopian future (that seems to be all that comes up in searches) I’ve got Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee on order but need more! -Bex 5. Something to escape into: fantasy, fairytale, folklore, time slippage -Kim 6. Hi, I have fallen in love with essay collections this year. They have all been thematically different but written by female authors, beautiful writing as well as are on interesting topics.  I have loved: Constellations by Sinead Gleeson Axiomatic by Maria Tumarkin Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino Make It Scream, Make it Burn by Leslie Jamison  Thick by Tressie Macmillan Cottam Would love to hear some further recommendations! Not that keen on anything by straight white men. Thanks.  -Georgia 7. Hi! Me and a friend are starting a book club! We’re a group of disabled and chronically ill young people, from the US and UK (so books released in both is a must). Available in audio and on Kindle also important for accessibility reasons, nothing too long or hard to read, and maybe older books so they’re also available second hand/in libraries without huge hold lists. Disability representation is obviously important, but other diversities (especially LGBTQ+) would be great too, and personally I’d quite like something with mental health or neurodiversity themes. Fiction and non both okay, any and all genres too! Books already on the list include Get a Life, Chloe Brown and The Pretty One -Caz Books Discussed Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller Each of Us A Desert by Mark Oshiro (out in September 2020) (tw: abusive parent, graphic violence) The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling Zero Sum Game by SL Huang The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma A Time To Dance by Padma Venkatraman   We’re Not From Here by Geoff Rodkey Sal and Gabi Break The Universe by Carlos Hernandez Conjure Women by Afia Atakora (TW slavery, rape) Unraveling by Karen Lord (tw: harm to children) My Time Among the Whites by Jennine Capó Crucet Beyoncé In Formation by Omise’eke Natasha Tinsley Far From You by Tess Sharpe (TW homophobia, drug addiction) So Lucky by Nicola Griffith

Author Padma Venkatraman discusses her most recent middle-grade novel, "The Bridge Home," her path to becoming an author and representation in literature.

Padma talked with me a few months ago, as she was winning awards Walter Award 2020; SCBWI Golden Kite Award 2020; Paterson Prize and the list goes on. Padma really gets personal and opens up about family. She shares stories about her mom and dad, in which many of her stories are influenced from. You truly do not want to miss out on this beautiful soul. Twitter: https://tinyurl.com/padmaatv Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/padmaatvinsta Website: https://padmavenkatraman.com/

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and Padma Venkatraman create a literacy initiative and social media movement to end book deserts during the COVID19 pandemic.

This Episode is about poverty involved in the Bridge Home book created by Padma Venkatraman

SHOWNOTES FOR EPISODE 26:Sudarsna's website https://www.sudarsna.com/ and instagram https://www.instagram.com/sudarsnak/?hl=enUrban Nutcracker - read more about the show and buy your tickets now! http://urbannutcracker.com/BOOKS and OTHER STUFF we discussed:To Dance by Siena Cherson Siegel and Mark Siegel - a graphic memoir which captures a dancer's life beautifully (Mark Siegel is also the creator of the fab 5 Worlds graphic novel series that my daughter and I love) https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781481486644Life in Motion Misty Copeland's memoir https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781481479790Firebird kid picture book by Misty Copeland https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780399166150Lush Cosmetics https://www.lushusa.com/I just picked up this YA novel (in verse!) from a Bharatnatyam dancer's perspective: A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780147514400Follow us on Instagram for more on Sudarsna and everything we discussed in this episode! https://www.instagram.com/theindianeditpodcast/Special thanks to Aman Moroney @ Flying Carpet Productions for audio post-production engineering!

 Girls Fly! (http://girlsfly.org/) Author Series - Padma Venkatraman Padma Venkatraman is an American author and activist who believes women and girls have a written voice. Padma Venkatraman is the award-winning author of highly acclaimed novels such as The Bridge Home, a 2019 Global Read Aloud book; A Time to Dance and Climbing the Stairs. Her books have been featured on numerous best book lists and received a total of 20 starred reviews.

In this episode meet Padma Venkatraman, author of A TIME TO DANCE; Peter McGough, author of I'VE SEEN THE FUTURE AND I'M NOT GOING; and John Mauceri, author of FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC. A novel in verse about the power of dance. A memoir about life as an artist in 1980s New York City. An answer to the question, “why should we listen to classical music?” This week’s episode covers the many ways in which art affects our lives and the lives of those we encounter. Hear more about these authors’ behind-the-mic experiences, and find out who once listened to a famous epic fantasy series on audio as motivation to clean the house. A TIME TO DANCE by Padma Venkatraman: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/309664/a-time-to-dance/ I'VE SEEN THE FUTURE AND I'M NOT GOING by Peter McGough: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/561291/ive-seen-the-future-and-im-not-going/ FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC by John Mauceri: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/564744/for-the-love-of-music/

It’s the first ever Middle Grade Ninja clips show, featuring snippets from each of the podcast’s first 30 episodes. This is the perfect place for new listeners to start. New episodes are scheduled to return August 13th. Until then, enjoy this compilation of clips from conversations with AUTHORS Laura Martin, Barabra Shoup, Jeff Norton, Darby Karchut, Susan Kaye Quinn, Jacqueline West, Daniel Kenney, Tommy Greenwald, Steven K Smith, Lamar Giles, Kathi Appelt, Padma Venkatraman, Jessica Lawson, Daniel José Older, Dustin Brady, Amber Smith, Marie Miranda Cruz,M.G. Hennessey, Debbie Dadey, LITERARY AGENTS John Cusick, Jennifer March Soloway, Holly Root, Elana Roth Parker, John Rudolph, Molly O'Neill, EDITORS Mary Kole, Amy Tipton, Alison S. Weiss, Diana M. Pho, and PUBLIC RELATIONS EXPERT Megan Beatie.

Podcast #058 For my fifty-eighth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Padma Venkatraman about the verse memoirs Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings and Soaring Earth by Margarita Engle. Enchanted Air was published in 2015, followed by Soaring Earth in 2019.  Each details  Margarita’s experience immigrating to the US after the Cuban revolution of … Continue reading Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings; Soaring Earth – an interview with Padma Venkatraman → The post Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings; Soaring Earth – an interview with Padma Venkatraman appeared first on Dream Gardens.

Padma talks about voice, her middle grade novel, "The Bridge Home", and how she drew from her own childhood experiences to connect readers to a message that is not only about support for our families, but how they can also be created.

Padma talks about voice, her middle grade novel, "The Bridge Home", and how she drew from her own childhood experiences to connect readers to a message that is not only about support for our families, but how they can also be created.

Padma Venkatraman (@padmatv) shares THE BRIDGE HOME, a 2019 Global Read Aloud choice. The story centers on two sisters, Viji and Rukku, who are orphaned at the hands of an abusive father and a mother who is too afraid to leave him. Viji is the caretaker of her sister, and in no small way these girls are survivors. Padma writes from a place of experience, strength, and survival herself and she shares a sentiment on recording that I want you to listen for because I think it’s such an important and powerful phrase. About being a survivor she says, “You are not going to shape who I am.” This conversation is just for you, dear listeners. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. Thank you to this week's sponsors: Storyteller Academy  Bharat Babies And to the generous support from our Patrons.

Padma Venkatraman and I discuss her new middle grade novel, THE BRIDGE HOME. We discuss everything from her childhood in India to her becoming an oceanographer and now an award-winning author. We also discuss religion, spirituality, writing about them for the middle grade market, and, of course, flying saucers. This episode is filled from end to end with fascinating insights about writing and storytelling, as well advice for living. Padma Venkatraman is the author of 4 novels: THE BRIDGE HOME, A TIME TO DANCE, ISLAND'S END and CLIMBING THE STAIRS, all of which were released to multiple starred reviews (for a total of seventeen stars so far). Her latest, THE BRIDGE HOME, was released this February to five starred reviews (in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, Booklist, School Library Journal and School Library Connection), won an Audiophile Magazine Earphone Award, and is the 2019 middle grade Global Read Aloud. Her previous three young adult novels have won several awards (South Asia Book Award, Paterson Prize, Boston Authors Club Julia Ward Howe, Rhode Island Book of the Year etc.) and received numerous honors (including the ALA Notable, ALA BBYA, Kirkus BBYA, Booklist Editor’s Choice, NYPL Top 25 and Bank Street Best Books). MiddleGradeNinja.com PadmaVenkatraman.com

Our guest today is an Award-winning American author, Padma Venkatraman, who has worked as a chief scientist on oceanographic ships, spent time under the sea, directed a school, and lived in 5 countries. The Padma has 4 published novels, 3 of which have won several national and international awards.  Padama gives keynote addresses, speaks on TV and radio, serves on panels, conducts workshops, has been a guest at international author festivals and visits schools all over the world. We love the quote on your website: “Stories are ships on which we sail the oceans of imagination!”Conversation Topics:Padma's background story From science to writing Being an immigrant in the US at 19 Digging through family history Writing her first book Personal resolve after 40 rejections Finally getting Penguin Books deal Book writing process Creative habits Advice for writers How to find a good agent Padma's future aspirations RESOURCES:  https://padmavenkatraman.com/ (Padma's Website) https://amzn.to/2Uo455z (A Time To Dance) https://amzn.to/2HR1Di7 (Island's End) https://amzn.to/2HR1Di7 ( )https://amzn.to/2HK1Tzk (Climbing the Stairs) https://amzn.to/2CJS3t1 (The Bridge Home)   https://www.icreatedaily.com/gratitude-journal/ (A movement for creators serious about their art.)https://www.icreatedaily.com/free-goals-planner/ (The Day is the Way.)https://www.icreatedaily.com/store/ (iCreateDaily!)

S4 E07: In this episode, meet award-winning journalist, producer, and New York Times bestselling author Raymond Arroyo; award-winning author (and former oceanographer) Padma Venkatraman; and owner and creator of The Homeschool Alliance, Julie Bogart. Drawing on inspiration from childhood memories, travel adventures, and insights in education, hear why each of these authors are excited to share their stories with listeners. Plus, discover how one author used her high school acting experience to help her narrate. Enjoy! Will Wilder #3: The Amulet of Power by Raymond Arroyo: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/253059/will-wilder-3-the-amulet-of-power/ The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/551690/the-bridge-home/ The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/567245/the-brave-learner/

Intro Hi everyone and welcome to Books Between - a podcast for teachers, parents, librarians, and anyone who wants to connect kids between 8-12 to books they’ll love.  I’m your host, Corrina Allen - a teacher, a mom, and battling a cold this afternoon! So if I sound a little...off - that is why! This is episode #68 and Today I’m answering some questions about trends in middle grade and sharing with you some fabulous 2019 titles to look forward to this year! Q&A - Trends in Middle Grade Fiction Last month, my husband asked me some questions about trends in middle grade fiction. He teaches a class at Seton Hall all about trends in genre fiction and wanted some input on middle grade. So I thought I would share my responses with you. And I would be very curious about what YOU would answer. What genres or subgenres do you believe are the hottest right now? Well, it’s a format and not a genre but graphic novel memoirs like Hey Kiddo, Real Friends, and Be Prepared are still really popular. And also graphic novel adaptations of classics (like Anne of Green Gables) and popular novels (like Wings of Fire or Percy Jackson).  And again, not genre, but I see more books that are based on the core experiences of the writer. Those novels that draw on the real-life backgrounds of the authors like Kelly Yang’s Front Desk, Tami Charles’ Like Vanessa, and Supriya Kellar’s Ahimsa.  They’re not memoirs but they are books rooted in a very personal experience. To authors, I’d say - take those things that make you unique, that make you a bit quirky, that set you apart from most other people - and write THAT story. Like Kelly Yang taking the experiences of her family coming from China and running motels to write Front Desk. Jarrett Krosoczka writing the critically acclaimed graphic novel memoir Hey Kiddo about his life living with his grandparents after his mom lost custody of him due to drug addiction. Crack that door open and invite us inside. What genres or subgenres do you believe are passé or overexposed? I don’t know…. I do wonder how long the unicorn and narwhal craze will last but that seems to live more in picture books than middle grade. Magical realism - or rather realistic fiction with a magical twist - doesn’t seem to be slowing down. You know - anything can be new and fresh with the right spin.  And also, authors from marginalized backgrounds are still underrepresented in just about every genre so those are stories that will likely have new points of view. I thought I was totally over zombie stories but Dread Nation popped up and whoa!!  I’ve never read a zombie story like THAT before!   If you had to predict, what genre or subgenre do you think is primed to be the next Big Thing in the next year or so? I would say stories about immigrants, refugees, and the unique experiences of marginalized groups (especially by #ownvoices authors) will continue to be popular. Over the last couple of years we’ve seen an explosion of critically acclaimed middle grade stories like Alan Gratz’s Refugee, Jacqueline Woodson’s Harbor Me, and Escape from Aleppo by N.H. Senzai among many more. We also have more and more books coming out that tell stories of police violence in developmentally appropriate ways like Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes and Blended by Sharon Draper.  I’m also really excited about a new crop of middle grade #MeToo stories on the horizon like So Done by Paula Chase and the upcoming Barbara Dee novel Maybe He Just Likes You.   Any comments about where you see genre fiction heading? In middle grade, like everywhere else,  #ownvoices books are still underrepresented  - everyone has a unique story to tell or a unique POV to offer.  EVERYONE. So my advice to authors, take the spark of your unique life experiences and let that burn throughout your story.  My advice to educators - scour those shelves to find a wider variety of books. Also - if you write for a YA/MG audience, librarians and educators are more and more eager to the ditch the old canon and form partnerships with authors. Look for opportunities like #KidsNeedMentors or reach out to your local schools and libraries.   Book Talk - Most Anticipated Middle Grade Books of 2019   The last couple of episodes were all about looking back on some of the best that middle grade had to offer in 2018. (If you missed those, go check out episodes #66 and #67.)  But today is all about looking forward into the new year. Last year, when I did our Most Anticipated MG of 2018, I went chronologically by month. But this year I’m going about it a little differently and discussing the new releases by category.     First, we’ll chat about the new graphic novels coming up in 2019. And then we’ll talk about new releases from authors who debuted in 2018 and 2017 and see what they’re up to now. After that, I’ll give you a peek at some of the 2019 debut middle grade authors.  Then we’ll see what new books are coming out in favorite series and what sequels we have to look forward to. And finally, we’ll finish up with the 2019 releases from more established authors.   So, buckle up and get ready to add to your wish list. And remember - no need to go hunting for a pen and paper. You can find every book mentioned AND a picture of the available covers AND a link to pre-order them right on the Books Between post for this episode, #69, at MGBookVillage.com.  I’ve got your back, I know you’re busy, so it’s all right there for you. And as I’ve said before, I’ve come to really love pre-ordering - it helps out favorite authors and it’s like a little surprise to your future self.   Before we jump in, just remember that this is just a sampling of all the incredible books coming out this year. I’ll add some links to some other great resources in the show notes and on the website where you can find more complete listings of titles to browse through and the MGBookVillage website has a great release calendar so that’s one to bookmark for sure.   https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/111975.Middle_Grade_Novels_of_2019 http://novelnineteens.com/books/middle-grade-books https://mgbookvillage.org/2018releasedates/ http://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2018/12/19-2019-middle-grade-books-to-have-on-your-radar/ https://www.readbrightly.com/middle-grade-books-2019/ https://www.bookish.com/articles/must-read-childrens-books-winter-2019/ http://www.popgoesthereader.com/target-audience-middle-grade/70-middle-grade-novels-i-cant-wait-to-read-in-2019/   Also - publication dates do occasionally change, so just be aware of that.   Alright, get your Goodreads tab open, or your library website pulled up, or your Amazon/Indiebound shopping cart ready, or ….. print out the show notes and bring it to your favorite local bookstore!   Alright - let’s get to it! The 2019 Graphic Novels This January, Lincoln Peirce, the author of Big Nate, has a new graphic/illustrated novel series set in the middle ages called Max and the Midknights that looks really, really cute. Also out on January 8th is Click by Kayla Miller - the story of 5th grader Olive who is having some trouble finding where she “clicks” in middle school. The sequel, called Camp, is being released this April so fans won’t have to wait long for the next one. A fantasy graphic novel that Mel Schuit recommended that I check out is The Chancellor and the Citadel by Maria Capelle Frantz so that’s on my radar now - and yours! Thank you, Mel! On January 29th another Hilo is coming our way! Hilo 5: Then Everything Went Wrong. And on that same day the 5th Bird & Squirrel is coming out called All Tangled Up. One graphic novel adaptation that has really piqued my interest is Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Modern Retelling of Little Women by Rey Tercerio and illustrator Bre Indigo. The classic is reimagined as a blended family living in modern-day New York City. I don’t think I’ve ever hit “pre-order” faster and will be eagerly stalking my delivery person on February 5th for that one! My mailbox is going to be brimming on February 5th because I also HAD to preorder New Kid by Jerry Craft!  It’s about seventh grader Jordan Banks who loves drawing cartoons and dreams of going to art school. But his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school instead, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade. Looks amazing!!  90-Second Newbery was singing its praises on Twitter last night and said this about it: “The amazing graphic novel New Kid by @JerryCraft should definitely be on everyone's tbr list and it has a full-cast (and all-star cast) audiobook released at the same time….perfect for rich, nuanced convos abt race, class, identity, school systems, how we share books, code switching, starting new school, just so much!”   So, yeah… I’ll just wait here for a bit while you hit pause and go order that! We also get  the second Wings of Fire graphic novel, The Lost Heir, on February 26th AND the second Mr. Wolf’s Class book called Mystery Club. And a heads up that the graphic novel of The Hidden Kingdom (Wings of Fire Book 3) is out in October 2019. For those Minecraft fans in your life, this March we get another Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior graphic novel - Forging Destiny. And for older middle grade kids - maybe 11 or 12 and up -  look for the new graphic novel adaptations of The Iliad and The Odyssey this March as well. And fans of Terri Libenson’s Invisible Emmie and Positively Izzie will want to get their hands on Just Jaime - coming out May7th. There were lots of smiles among my students today when I told them that news! Bad Guys #9 - The Bad Guys in the Big Bad Wolf is out June 25th.  Perfect launch for a fun summer read. This August brings us Best Friends, the sequel to Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham’s Real Friends -  out on August 27th. And have you seen the cover? It’s Shannon at the top of a rollercoaster with this vibrant purple background. Love it, love it, love it! And Dog Man fans (like my daughter) will be psyched this August because we are getting Dog Man #7: For Whom the Ball Rolls! The seventh graphic novel adaptation of the Baby-sitters Club, Boy Crazy Stacey, illustrated by Gale Carrigan, will be out September 3rd. That’s one of those no-brainer preorders for my classroom library. Also - I was interested to hear that R.J. Palacio is publishing her first graphic novel Wonder story this fall called White Bird. This one is Julian’s grandmother’s story about her life as a young Jewish girl hidden away by a family in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. So be on the lookout for that one September 3rd as well. You want another don’t-even-have-to-think-about-it-just-preorder-it graphic novel? Guts - the long-awaited new Raina Telgemeier graphic memoir is out September 17th!! September also brings the latest from Tillie Walden - Are You Listening.  The peeks I’ve seen of that online look incredible, so that one is definitely on my radar this fall. And then….….. Drumroll please…… Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl!! Ahhhh!!  I knew it! That last page in Mighty Jack and the Goblin King was just too good not to be followed up with a joint adventure. Yay! Jen Wang -  author of last year’s hit, The Prince & the Dressmaker, has a new graphic novel coming out in September called  Stargazing. This one draws on her personal experiences and is the story of two friends - Moon and Christine. And this November we’ll get The Midwinter Witch - the third and final book in the trilogy that includes The Witch Boy and The Hidden Witch. And - wow, I’m just going to start saving up now for September because the graphic novel adaptation of Kwame Alexander’s The Crossover is also coming out on September 24th!  It’s going to be a pancakes and ramen noodles for dinner kind of a month if I want to keep up with all these awesome books coming out!  (And I haven’t even gotten past the graphic novels!) And…. I think, maybe, possibly.. that Amulet #9 (the final one of the series) will be released late this year. But I can’t find much info on it. No title, no date, no synopsis - nada! So, I’m cautiously optimistic that it will arrive in 2019. Finally - another graphic novel to be on the lookout for later in 2019 is Twins by author Varian Johnson who you may know from The Parker Inheritance and illustrator Shannon Wright. The publication date isn’t yet announced, but apparently it’s about twin sisters struggling to figure out individual identities in middle school and it’s based on Johnson’s own childhood experiences as a twin. New Releases from 2017 / 2018 Debut Authors   Early February brings us the second in Anna Meriano’s Love, Sugar, Magic series called A Sprinkle of Spirits and oh is that cover gorgeous! And definitely snag a copy of the sequel to Jarrett Lerner’s EngiNerds - Revenge of the EngiNerds out on February 19th. It is EVEN FUNNIER than the first one. And that’s saying something! Another book I’m looking forward to is Jen Petro-Roy’s Good Enough - about a young girl with an eating disorder. Game of Stars by Sayantani DasGupta - the follow up to The Serpent’s Secret is out on February 26th. And the end of February also brings us Bone Hollow  by Skeleton Tree author Kim Ventrella. Also be on the lookout for The Hunt for the Mad Wolf’s Daughter by Diane Magras on March 5th. That sequel is getting rave reviews so it’s definitely one to add to your library. Alyson Gerber, author of Braced, will have a new novel out called Focused. It’s about a middle school girl who loves chess and has been recently diagnosed with ADHD. Definitely a book a lot of my students will be able to connect with! In the last week of April we get the sequel to Roshani Chokshi’s Aru Shah and the End of Time called Aru Shah and Song of Death This April brings us the second novel from Rebecca Donnelly called The Friendship Lie. One book I’m excited to dip into this spring is Up for Air by Laurie Morrison. You might know her from last year’s Every Shiny Thing. From the author of 2017’s The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora and 2018’s Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish comes Each Tiny Spark. This is Pablo Cartaya’s third MG novel and this one features a young girl, a father recently returned from deployment, and… welding. So look for that one in August. And The Cryptid Keeper, the sequel to Lija Fisher’s 2018 The Cryptid Catcher is out this August as is Melissa Sarno’s A Swirl of Ocean. In September comes the sequel to Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling. It’s called Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus and follows Aven’s adventures as she heads into high school. At first I thought that might put it in the YA category, but from what I can tell, it’s still middle grade. This fall we’ll also be treated to Abby Cooper’s third novel - Friend or Fiction. Just like Sticks and Stones and Bubbles, this one is also magical realism. It’s about a girl named Jade. In the pages of her notebook, she writes all about Zoe--the most amazing best friend anyone could dream of. But when pretend Zoe appears in real life thanks to a magical experiment gone right, Jade isn't so sure if she likes sharing her imaginary friend with the real world.   Another treat in store for you this fall is the third novel by Elly Swartz - Give and Take. This book is about 12 year-old Maggie whose grandmother’s recent death has triggered her to start hoarding things under her bed. 2019 Debut Authors   So - I’ll just say right now that I could have had an ENTIRE show just dedicated to the amazing middle grade debuts coming our way this year but at some point, I had to cut myself off.  So - I’ll include a link to the Novel19s website where you find many more middle grade debuts and discover some of your new favorite authors.   The Whisperers is Greg Howard’s middle grade debut and one that has really caught my eye. Just listen to this description: “Eleven-year-old Riley believes in the whispers, magical fairies that will grant you wishes if you leave them tributes. Riley has a lot of wishes. He wishes bullies at school would stop picking on him. He wishes Dylan, his 8th grade crush, liked him, and Riley wishes he would stop wetting the bed. But most of all, Riley wishes for his mom to come back home.” Oooo…. This one is out January 15th. If you are looking for a new book for younger middle grade readers - something along the lines of Ramona Quimby or Stella Diaz - check out Meena Meets Her Match by Karla Manternatch. One book that keeps popping up into my radar is the middle grade debut of Padma Venkatraman called The Bridge Home about four children who discover strength and grit and family while dealing with homelessness. That one comes out Feb 5th so be on the lookout for that one. Another debut that I have been dying to read is The Simple Art of Flying by Cory Leonardo!  Let me just read you the teaser: “Born in a dismal room in a pet store, Alastair the African grey parrot dreams of escape to bluer skies. He’d like nothing more than to fly away to a palm tree with his beloved sister, Aggie. But when Aggie is purchased by twelve-year-old Fritz, and Alastair is adopted by elderly dance-enthusiast and pie-baker Albertina Plopky, the future looks ready to crash-land.”  My step-mother had parrots when I was growing up, so this one in particular I really am interested in reading! So I’ll be checking my mailbox for that one on February 12th. Another debut I am excited to read this year is Joshua Levy’s Seventh Grade vs. the Galaxy! Since one of my goals this year is to introduce my students to more science fiction, a story about a school on a spaceship orbiting Jupiter would be perfect! On March 12 we get Lisa Moore Ramée’s debut A Good Kind of Trouble about a girl who just wants to follow the rules. And sometime this spring we get rather the opposite in Bernice Buttman, Model Citizen by Niki Lenz. This one is about a “bully” who ends up living with her aunt who is a nun and tries to turn over a new leaf. This March is the debut of Julia Nobel with The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane about a girl who gets shipped off to a British boarding school and finds a box of medallions that might just be connected to the disappearance of her father. A graphic novel debut coming in March that looks fabulous is Red Panda & Moon Bear by Jarod Roselló. It’s about two Latinx kids who defend their neighborhood from threats both natural and supernatural. And in late April is the first book in a new MG detective series called Kazu Jones and the Denver Dognappers by Shauna Holyoak and a time-traveling action adventure that will transport readers to ancient Egypt called Jagger Jones & the Mummy’s Ankh by Malayna Evans. Hurricane Season by debut author Nicole Melleby comes out May 7th and oh how do I want to read this novel!  On a recent #MGLitChat focused on the 2019 debut authors, the moderator asked, “What do you hope young readers take away from your book?”  And Nicole Melleby said the following, “ I want them to take away that they’re not alone, that they’re seen, that mental illness is hard but manageable, and that love may have its limits, but help comes in all shapes and sizes. Also that Van Gogh was a brilliant man.”  After reading Vincent & Theo last summer - uhhh…. gimme that book!! Another great middle grade debut to look for on May 7th is Just South of Home by Karen Stong which is described as Blackish meets Goosebumps. The story follows a rule-abiding girl who must team up with her trouble making cousin, goofy younger brother, and his best friend to unravel a mysterious haunting in their tiny Southern town. Also coming this spring is a book that I immediately knew I wanted to read. It’s called Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos. (So, I was pretty much ALREADY sold by the Bowie reference.) The book follows Nova, an autistic, nonverbal, space-obsessed 12-year-old who is awaiting the Challenger shuttle launch and the return of her big sister, Bridget, as she struggles to be understood by her new foster family.  I was a 4th grader when The Challenger Disaster happened and vividly remember watching it happen live on tv, so I am really interested to see how that plays out in this book. Another debut to look for early this summer is All of Me by Chris Baron - a novel in verse about a 13 year old boy who is dealing with a big move, struggles in his parents’ marriage, and his own body image issues. So… if you are a close listener, you have probably figured out that I’m a sucker for books involving baking or cooking.  Maybe that’s why Midsummer’s Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca just leapt out at me when I stumbled across it last month. This is a contemporary-fantasy retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream about an 11 year old Indian American girl whose father is a food writer and whose mother is a successful businesswoman. But when she adds some rather…. unusual (and maybe magical?) ingredients to her baking, things get out of hand. So look for that one on June 4th. And if your kids are looking for a fun spooky read this summer, Ollie Oxley and the Ghost comes out on June 18th and looks really cute. It’s about a boy who moves to California and ends up becoming friends with a ghost from the Gold Rush era. Ghost Squad by Claribel Ortega is another paranormal middle grade coming this September and it’s described as Coco meets Stranger Things. So, uh… yeah...gimme that for sure! Also coming out this September is The Light in the Lake by Sarah Baughman - a book about a young girl who finds herself caught between her love of science and her late twin brother's belief in magic. Sequels and Favorite Series This January 29th we’re getting two awesome books: a 4th in the Crime Biters series - Fangs for Everything AND I Survived the Battle of D-Day, 1944 by Lauren Tarshis.  And watching out for another I Survived book in September called I Survived the Great Molasses Flood, 1919. Also in 2019 we are getting not one but TWO new Babysitting Nightmares books! The Phantom Hour this January 29th and The Twilight Curse on August 20th. February 5th brings another Stick Dog book - Stick Dog Gets the Tacos AND the third Frazzled book by Booki Vivat! This one is called Minor Incidents and Absolute Uncertainties. I just love her titles! In late February kids will be getting book 4 in the DC Comics Secret Hero Society - Science Fair Crisis! Lion Down by Stuart Gibb is out on February 26th. The second in his FunJungle series and the follow up to Panda-monium.) In March comes book five in The School for Good & Evil series: A Crystal of Time , a new Emily Windsnap novel called Emily Windsnap and The Pirate Prince, and another in the Fairy Tale Reform School series called Wished. In March we also get a seventh Jedi Academy Book called Revenge of the Sis. This one starts a new storyline and is written by Amy Ignatow with Jarret Krosoczka illustrating. And an as yet untitled 8th Jedi Academy novel is scheduled for September 2019. AND I’m really excited for the third BAT book: Bat and the End of Everything by Elana K. Arnold.  My daughter’s 4th grade class read the first book and they - of course! - fell hard for this series! Jeff Kinney fans will be excited about Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid - a book told from Rowley’s point of view that is out this April. And that month also brings us another Unicorn Rescue Society novel - The Chupacabras of the Rio Grande. And my 9 year old is going to be thrilled when I tell her that Katherine Applegate’s sequel to The Endling is coming out May 7th. It’s called Endling: The First and is already in my cart. The second book in Laura Ruby’s York series - The Clockwork Ghost is also headed our way this May and so is Another Fenway & Hattie book - In the Wild! Natalie Lloyd’s sequel to The Problim Children - Carnival Catastrophe is due to be out June 25th. And not quite a sequel but more of a spin-off, is Dough Boys by Paula Chase - author of 2018’s So Done. Characters Simp and Rollie are the leads in this novel told in two voices. Also - Karina Yan Glaser’s third Vanderbeekers novel is coming this September - The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue! And finally - just announced this morning - is Kate DiCamillo’s new novel coming September 24th - Beverly, Right Here. And if you guessed that this is the Beverly from Raymie Nightingale - then you are correct!  So now each of the three girls will have their own novel. By the way - if you haven’t seen it yet, the cover by Amy June Bates is stunning!!     2019 New Releases from Established Authors   First up here is the book I am devouring right now - The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart which just came out on January 8th. And oh…. does this book live up to its hype! Brace yourself to hear lots more about this one later! Also out this January is a book my friend Sandy has been raving about - The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, U.S.A by Coretta Scott King honor nominee Brenda Woods. So I definitely need to add that one to my TBR list. This January readers will get a new Gordon Korman novel - Unteachables AND a new Andrew Clements novel - The Friendship War. January also brings us the first book in the really incredible Rick Riordan Presents Imprint - Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee. This is a space opera about thirteen-year-old Min, who comes from a long line of fox spirits. (By the way - if you have kids who love Rick Riordan’s novels or who love adventure books with a dash of humor and myth - then check out his Imprint site. I’ll include a link in the show notes so you can check them all out. From those lucky enough to read advanced copies, I haven’t heard anything but praise.) Pink Hair and Other Terrible Ideas by Andrea Pyros is one to watch out for this February. And another upper middle grade February release that caught my attention is a joint novel told in letters by Counting by 7s author Holly Goldberg Sloan and The Interestings author Meg Wolitzer. It’s called To Night Owl from Dogfish and it’s about two very different 12 year-old girls named Averie and Bett who are sent off to the same sleepaway camp in order to bond after their single dads fall in love with each other. February also bring us another novel by Anne Urso (author of the critically acclaimed The Real Boy) This novel, The Lost Girl, is about identical twins Lark and Iris.   On March 5th we get another Lisa Graff novel called Far Away about a girl, CJ, whose aunt is a psychic medium who claims that she carries messages from the dead. And I’m really psyched for We’re Not From Here by Tapper Twins author Geoff Rodkey. This novel is also out March 5th and is about refugees from planet Earth who need to find a new home on a faraway planet. I had the opportunity to read an ARC of this one and it’s quirky and hilarious… and timely. Definitely add this one to your pre orders. March also brings us another Rick Riordan Present’s book called Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez. I’ve been hearing lots of great buzz about this one, so I’ll definitely need to pre-order a copy. On March 19th we get a new Kevin Henkes novel called Sweeping Up the Heart and this one is the story of the spring break that changes seventh-grader Amelia Albright’s life forever. In late March Natalie Lloyd fans will be treated to Over the Moon - a story about twelve-year-old Mallie who lives in a mining town where boys leave school at 12 to work in the mines, and girls leave to work as servants for the wealthy. But of course with that quintessentially Lloyd magic interwoven. And another Cynthia Lord book is coming out this March! She is the author of Rules and A Handful of Stars. This one is titled Because of the Rabbit and is about a young girl who starts public school for the first time after being homeschooled. Where the Heart Is by Jo Knowles is coming out April 2nd and a really interesting looking book called Summer of a Thousand Pies by Margaret Dilloway will be released April 16th. It’s about a girl who has to save her aunt’s pie shop. I think this one would be  a winner for kids who enjoy shows like The Great British Baking Show. In early May, we get to read Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s next novel, Shouting at the Rain about a girl named Delsie who lives with her grandmother, loves tracking weather, and who starts to wish for a more “regular” family and life. You can’t go wrong with the author of Fish in a Tree and One for the Murphys so… just pop this one in your cart now! And another novel that is getting all kinds of early buzz is the latest from K.A. Reynolds called Spinner of Dreams. It’s being called “inventive, empathetic, and strange in all the best ways.”  Plus - it has a really otherworldly cover that I just want to stare at... And finally - I know you all have heard me rave about this one before - but Barbara Dee’s Maybe He Just Likes You is going to be AMAZING!  My students and I got the chance to read the first chapter and we were all already hooked. But let me give you a little taste from the teaser: “For seventh grader Mila, it starts with an unwanted hug on the school blacktop. The next day, it’s another hug. A smirk. Comments. It all feels…weird. According to her friend Zara, Mila is being immature, overreacting. Doesn’t she know what flirting looks like? They don’t understand why Mila is making such a big deal about the boys’ attention. When Mila is finally pushed too far, she realizes she can’t battle this on her own–and finds help in some unexpected places.” I can’t WAIT!!   Phew!!  Alright - I am both energized and - I gotta be honest - a little daunted! But - I am reminding myself and I hope you’ll remember too that it’s not about a mad dash to read all of these books. But to give you a taste of what’s to come so you can match readers with books they might like and get them excited about new releases.   I hope you have a wonderful year reading and I would love to know - what are the books that you and your students are most looking forward to in 2019?   You can email me at booksbetween@gmail.com or jump into the conversation on Twitter/Instagram at the handle @Books_Between.      Closing   Thank you so much for joining me this week.  You can find an outline of interviews and a full transcript of all the other parts of our show at MGBookVillage.org.   And, if you have an extra minute this week, reviews on iTunes or Stitcher are much appreciated.   Books Between is a proud member of the Lady Pod Squad and the Education Podcast Network. This network features podcasts for educators, created by educators. For more great content visit edupodcastnetwork.com   Talk with you soon!  Bye!  

Ep. 413 | Originally Aired: October 13, 2018 The stories we tell ourselves shape who we are, as individuals, and as a society. Padma Venkatraman is a novelist whose stories explore enduring themes about the use of violence to resist evil, the meaning of family, and tension between tradition and modernity. Multiple award-winning author Padma Venkatraman was born in Chennai, India. She came to the U.S. at the age of 19, and became an American citizen after earning a Ph.D. in oceanography from The College of William and Mary. Learn more. 

Amanda and Jenn discuss Finnish literature, mental illness, enemies-to-lovers stories, and more in this week's episode of Get Booked. This episode is sponsored by Your One and Only by Adrianne Finlay and Comic Bento.   Questions   1. I’m heading on a trip to Finland at the end of February and I’d love to read some Finnish fiction, translated to English please! I’d love something with a strong sense of place to familiarize me with the environment/culture/weather etc. My favourite books are easy enough to fall into and ones where the characters stay with you long after the story ends. I’m generally a literary fiction reader but happily read other things except for romance and scific/fantasy (as a rule). If it helps, some of my favourite authors are Heather O’Neill, Miriam Toews, Peter Heller, A.M. Homes, Wally Lamb, David Benioff and Willy Vlautin. Thanks for the help! --Julie   2. Hi! I love your podcast and listen to your show every week! I just finished Turtles All the Way Down by John Green and loved Aza's perspective. I live with mental illness as does she, and I really enjoyed reading a story where the character accepts her mental illness and still struggles even though she is in recovery. I really like the non-linear way the book looks at her condition. Do you know of any other books where the main character has a mental illness, but does not exactly "defeat" it and instead learns to accept themselves? I have read I Can't Promise You a Rose Garden and enjoyed that. (Sidenote, I have read many books about people with eating disorders and I would prefer recommendations that do not include that topic.) Thanks! --Sara   3. I love fiction by what I like to think of as provocative and sometimes offensive people of faith. I love books where the author writes about his or her faith tradition from a place of love, but aren't afraid to ask the messy questions, air the dirty laundry, and treat belief like the complicated, untidy, yet deeply meaningful thing that it is. Some of my favorite authors that I'd put in this category are Chaim Potok, Fyodor Dostoevksy, Graham Greene, Evelyn Waugh & Levi S. Peterson. I love would to read more fiction like this. I read widely and would be comfortable with any genre except horror. Thanks! --Erin   4. Recently I read Michelle Moran's The Heretic Queen. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it, but it did leave me wanting to find a good historical romance or fiction in a similar vein. The main reason I did not enjoy the book was because I felt the relationship in the book was not strong enough. I have two requests, and I hope they aren't too much. I'd like the book to be set in the ancient world (Greece, Egypt, Rome), and I want a strong relationship (F/M M/M and F/F are all fine). I don't want instant love, or an undeveloped relationship- I really want to be able to root for the relationship. And before you mention it, I have read (and loved) The Song of Achilles. Thanks for the awesome show guys! I can't wait to hear your recommendations. --Anon   5. Hello: I am not a big romance reader. I very rarely pick up a romance. I struggle with historical fiction, so historical romance is really not my thing. However, I recently read The Hating Game by Sally Thorn and loved the contemporary romance. It was an "enemy to lovers" type books, so I enjoyed the banter and the humor. Disclaimer: some portions were problematic, so I do not mean to say that it was perfect. But, it did keep me reading. I would like some similar recommendations. I would prefer contemporary romance, but I'll take anything I can get that explores the "enemy to lovers" theme. Thanks, --Awful at Romance Reading   6. Thank you for an awesome podcast. I suffer from depression and considering the world’s political climate, I will continue to suffer for some time. I study humanitarian action in crisis and I love to read books that are topic heavy, such as Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie or The color Purple by Alice Walker or an anthology about racism in Sweden (I'm from Stockholm). Although the books are so good and I can't get enough (I also have ADHD which makes me unable to give up on these books but at the same time considering my depression they also make me sadder and unable to heal right now). I feel like I need something to break this habit while trying to get better and read book that’ll make me laugh or not think. I love novels about dance (favourites include Mao’s last dancer by Li Cunxin, A time to dance by Padma Venkatraman and Taking flight by Michaela DePrince) and novels from comedians like Seriously… I’m Kidding by Ellen Degeneres or How to Make White People Laugh by Negin Farsad. I’m giving you free hands, just remember – depressed, cannot stop reading awesome heavy novels, need something else though. And also, if you HAPPEN BY CHANCE to know a book about or featuring a person (not cis-gender white male) with ADHD, I’d love to hear about it. Thanks! --Emilie   7. Hi Amanda and Jenn! Thanks for a wonderful podcast! One of my favorite books is Sweetland by Michael Crummey. I enjoyed that it was set on an island, was very atmospheric, and beautifully dealt with loss and isolation. I also liked how nature was a large part of the book. I'm wondering if you have suggestions for something similar? Thanks so much for your time! --Carrie   Books Discussed The Other Lands (Acacia #2) by David Anthony Durham Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi The Year of the Hare by Arto Paasilinna The Summer Book by Tove Jansson I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erica L Sanchez (trigger warning: self-harm) Hate to Want You by Alisha Rai Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali (trigger warning: sexual assault) The Mothers by Brit Bennett The Captive Prince trilogy by CS Pacat (all the trigger warnings) Fire from Heaven (Alexander the Great #1) by Mary Renault, recommended by Alexander Chee (Reading My Way Out of the Closet) Hold Me by Courtney Milan Dating You / Hating You by Christina Lauren Yes Please by Amy Poehler Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes Pond by Claire-Louise Bennett Galore by Michael Crummey All the Birds, Singing by Evie Wyld