Padma Venkatraman

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Padma Venkatraman was born in Chennai, India, the setting of her latest novel, The Bridge Home.

She worked as chief scientist on oceanographic ships, explored rainforests, directed a school, and lived in five countries before becoming an American citizen and settling down in Rhode Island. The New York Times described The Bridge Home as “gorgeous storytelling.” It is a 2019 Global Read Aloud book, a Washington Post KidPost Summer Book Club selection, and a Today Show Summer Read and has received five starred reviews (in School Library Journal, Kirkus, School Library Connection, ALA Booklist and Publishers Weekly), for a total of 17 stars so far, together with her previous three novels: A Time to Dance, Island’s End, and Climbing the Stairs. Venkatraman enjoys teaching, mentoring, participating on panels, giving commencement speeches, and providing keynote addresses at national conferences, and she has been chief guest at international literary festivals. She was recently interviewed on a national PBS program, and her work has been featured previously on national and international TV and radio, and in a documentary. Visit her at padmavenkatraman.com, @padmatv on Instagram, or on Facebook.