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Padma Venkatraman

Goodreads Author

Born

Chennai, India

Website

http://www.padmavenkatraman.com

Twitter

padmatv

Genre

Young Adult, Diverse, Children's

Member Since

October 2008

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American author, Padma Venkatraman, has worked as chief scientist on oceanographic ships and spent time under the sea, directed a school, and lived in 5 countries. Her 5 novels, BORN BEHIND BARS, THE BRIDGE HOME, A TIME TO DANCE, ISLAND’S END and CLIMBING THE STAIRS, were released to multiple starred reviews (22 as of 8/30/21), and won numerous honors and awards (e.g. WNDB Walter Award 2020; SCBWI Golden Kite Award 2020; Paterson Prize; Julia Ward Howe Young Readers Award; South Asia Book Award; ALA, IRA Notable; Booklist, Kirkus, NYPL, Yalsa BBYA; CCBC choice; IBBY outstanding etc.). Her latest novel, BORN BEHIND BARS, a JLG selection, is available for order. She provides keynote addresses and commencement speeches, travels to internationa ...more

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Padma Venkatraman’s books

Average rating: 4.15 · 25,368 ratings · 4,438 reviews · 25 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Bridge Home 4.26 avg rating — 12,054 ratings — published 2019 — 16 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Time to Dance 4.10 avg rating — 4,396 ratings — published 2014 — 12 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Climbing the Stairs 3.87 avg rating — 3,445 ratings — published 2008 — 22 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Born Behind Bars 4.22 avg rating — 2,620 ratings — published 2021 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Safe Harbor 4.07 avg rating — 1,019 ratings — published 2025 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Island's End 3.70 avg rating — 391 ratings — published 2011 — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Faraway Family by Padma Venkatraman (Goodreads Author), Nicole Wong (Illustrator) 4.04 avg rating — 27 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Cleverest Thief by Padma Venkatraman (Goodreads Author), Baird Hoffmire (Illustrator) 4.15 avg rating — 13 ratings — published 2008 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Women Mathemeticians 3.53 avg rating — 15 ratings — published 2008 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Double Stars: The Story of Caroline Herschel 2.86 avg rating — 14 ratings — published 2007	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Padma’s Recent Updates

Padma Venkatraman answered Artemis's question: What inspired you. to write the bridge home? HI Artemis, sorry it's been so long since you asked your question!!! I have had a lot going on but I apologize most sincerely. On this link you'll find a video of me speaking about my inspiration for THE BRIDGE HOME: https://padmavenkatraman.com/teac See Full Answer
Sep 25, 2026 12:22PM · like
Padma Venkatraman answered Robyn Nilsson's question: You once came to my school and signed my copy of the book! It was so fun meeting a real author! My question is, what is Shiny Smile Girl's name? I have been wondering since I read the book for the first time. Thank you for your question, Robyn! I am so happy it was a fun visit for you! I'm thrilled you enjoyed SAFE HARBOR! Shiny Smile Girl's name is Michelle. Wish you a great new school year and hope I'll be able to visit your school again - I love visiti See Full Answer
Sep 25, 2026 12:20PM · like
Padma Venkatraman has read Faraway Family by Padma Venkatraman (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 25, 2026 11:40AM · like
Padma Venkatraman rated a book it was amazing Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Timely and timeless, this is a moving picture book in which we see the echoes of the past in the present. We are taken into the lives of two incarcerated children : a Japanese-American child and a Latina child. Their stories are years apart in terms ...more
Mar 31, 2026 11:53AM · 5 likes · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

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Quotes by Padma Venkatraman (?)

“Because friendship is about laughing when the other person is joking to make you feel better. Even if you don’t find her joke all that funny.”
― Padma Venkatraman, A Time to Dance

tags: friends, friendship, relationships

12 likes

“I want to tell the nurses no scale can measure
the pain of my dreams
dancing
beyond reach.”
― Padma Venkatraman, A Time to Dance

6 likes

“My skin tingles as I step into the music,
give in to the icy thrill of pleasure
that spreads through me whenever I dance,
the pleasure of leaping into a cool lake on a
sweltering day.”
― Padma Venkatraman, A Time to Dance

6 likes

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