Author
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Padma Venkatraman is the author of three critically acclaimed YA books published by the Penguin Young Readers Group and set in India: A TIME TO DANCE, CLIMBING THE STAIRS and ISLAND'S END. Her latest, A TIME TO DANCE was released to 5 starred reviews (Kirkus, Booklist, SLJ, VOYA and BCCB) and received numerous awards (such as an ALA Notable, Booklist Editor'c Choice BBYA, CSML Best Book, IRA Notable, IBBY Outstanding Book for Young Persons with Disabilities, Kirkus Best Book, NYPL Top 25 and many more) and is on state awards lists in OK, IN, IL, CT and NY. Her debut novel, CLIMBING THE STAIRS, was also released to multiple starred reviews, also features a character with a disability, recieved several honors (such as ALA/Yasla BBYA, Booklist Editor’s Choice BBYA, Bank Street College of Education Best Book, Capitol Choice, NCSS Notable, NYPL Teen selection, PW Flying Start and so on), was on state awards lists in SC, NJ, ME, UT and PA, and won the Astal RI Book Award and the Julia Ward Howe Boston Authors Club Young Readers award. ISLAND'S END was released to starred reviews in four journals, won the South Asia Book Award and the Paterson Prize, and also recieved several honors such as an ALA/YALSA BBYA, ALA/Amelia Bloomer List, CCBC choice, Booklist BBYA, Kirkus BBYA etc. Padma Venkatraman has spoken at Harvard and other universities; participated on panels at venues such as the PEN World Voices Festival; provided commencement speeches at schools and keynote addresses at numerous teacher, librarian, and writer conferences; and has been the chief guest at international literary festivals. Padma Venkatraman is American, has a doctorate in oceanography and lives in Rhode Island.
Saturday, June 25
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM