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Background articles, relevant links, lesson Plans, discussion guides, and more are available on my website. Please sign up and follow for weekly blog updates during #GRA19 #GRABridge

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Watch a video of Padma Venkatraman reading a chapter from THE BRIDGE HOME.

Global Read Aloud Q & A Videos for THE BRIDGE HOME can be accessed in 3 ways:

1. Download Q & A videos that the author created based on some of the questions submitted by readers during the Global Read Aloud: Week 6 (chapters 38-44) - if you're going to watch just one Q &A, then click on this link; Week 5 (chapters 31-37); Week 4 (chapters 23-30); Week 3 (chapters 16-22); Week 2 (chapters 8-15); Week 1 (chapters 1-7) and Week 0 (because some groups started reading a week before #GRA19 began).

2. Access these same GRA Q & A videos and additional related material by reading the blogposts written by the author during Week 6, Week 5, Week 4, Week 3, Week 2, Week 1 and the pre-GRA week.

3. View these and all other videos via Padma Venkatraman's YouTube channel.

In addition, several additional resources (containing background material and extension activities) were created, as listed below.

VISUAL RESOURCES:

Many of the resources below are incorporated into this page so that any visitor can easily view them. If you wish to download the files onto your own device for classroom use, please do so from Padma Venkatraman's padlet.

Take a visual tour of the city that inspired the book! Dive into this pdf containing several annotated photographs that provide background and are especially curated for scenes connected with the book: Photographic Resources for THE BRIDGE HOME.

Try these activities! Map out where the characters live:

Write the characters' names in their mother tongue, Tamil:

Listen to the author speak about her inspiration:

Watch a trailer in which the author reads excerpts from the book:

Look at some early acclaim for the book:

Additional resources: PLEASE NOTE that some of the links provided are for google files that are set to view and download but your school's administrator may not provide access; if you cannot access the links below, do try the author's short videos for padlet or youtube (follow button on the right) but kindly refrain from sending messages to request permission (which clog up her already overflowing inbox). Many thanks for understanding! Here's an activity on week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5 and week 6 of #GRA19, and these same videos plus blog posts written by the author during week 0, week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6. You may also access all videos via Padma Venkatraman's YouTube channel. Peace and The Bridge Home ,

AUDIO RESOURCES (Pronunciation Guide, Author Interviews and more):

Listen to the first pages of The Bridge Home in the Author's Own Voice.

Listen to Padma Venkatraman and her daughter pronounce Indian words and names in The Bridge Home:

https://padmavenkatraman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/PronounciationGuide.m4a

Listen to the author's daughter playing the South Indian Bamboo flute (Carnatic style classical music):

https://padmavenkatraman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Shakthi-Sahitha-Ganapathim.m4a

Learn the story behind the story from these interviews in which Padma Venkatraman speaks about THE BRIDGE HOME (after you complete reading the novel, as there may be some spoilers): Into the Words Podcast by Alison Green Myers; The Children's Books Podcast by Matthew C Winner; Meet the Author podcast (and blog entry on the author's experience of reading aloud the audiobook).

EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL: Decorate your classroom or library with a poster that says "Padma Venkatraman's favorite Indian dessert, and see suggestions for authentic cookbooks, activities to increase awareness of hunger, and discussion prompts relating to food: (the pdf contains two separate bingo grids, filled with fun stuff, one for younger readers and one for older readers) and this incredible created by the author (weeks 2 and 3 of #GRA19 #GRABridge). Blog post on hunger by the author and a link to Read... because Books Bridge Homes and Hearts" or one that says "". Explore discussion questions and ideas for research activities: The Bridge Home Discussion Guide. Make COOKING UP STORIES. Play The Bridge Home BINGO Social Studies, vocabulary game created by Nurpur Sethi. Looking for tie-ins with other subjects? Here are suggestions for extension activities associated with Mathematics and Science Connections, and Additional Writing Prompts (Note that The Bridge Home Discussion Guide also lists writing prompts and research activities). If you are motivated to take action on an issue related to The Bridge Home, here are some ideas on ACTIVISM for Social Justice. Or encourage student participation as you read from this Reader's Theater Style Play Script for 2 Scenes from THE BRIDGE HOME lesson plans on socioeconomic diversity. Try a blackout poem (idea: Megan Hall) or a video tour of India (credit: Erica Morrill). Check out this amazing hyperdoc created by teachers Jeen Breen Johnson, Jean O'Brien, Shannon O'Neill, Amy Celis, Gustav Lindqvist, Melissa Rae, Danielle Rankovich, Julie Jasinki and Danielle Grate. Discover more lesson plans ideas (some created by the author, some created by others and credited to them) - and download onto your device for educational use from Padma Venkatraman's padlet.

RELEVANT ARTICLES: A resource on the importance of discussing books on tough topics with children. Articles that provide background information that may be of interest to readers of THE BRIDGE HOME: a discussion of the caste system, Hinduism through the Western Lens, Hindu philosophy through the Vedanta Lens, Indian history, Indian Saints, Female Indian Saints, an inspiring story about a person who was homeless, a home for children with disabilities, an organization that helps children in India, an organization referenced in the Author's note.

FURTHER READING: Thirsting for more? This personal statement by the author about Understanding and Respecting Disability contains some recommendations, as does this list.

ORDERS AND RECORDING: You may or order via the normal channels or order directly from Penguin; for help with international orders please reach out to Penguin Random House International. If you're considering recording parts of the book for strictly educational purposes, please follow these guidelines (if you must read online, please livestream portions of the book each day to only a limited number of students in a password-protected way; if you must record a portion then ensure you only record a short portion, only make this available only to a limited number of students for a limited time, password-protect and delete the recording within 24 hours) order the acclaimed award-winning audiobook narrated by the author herself.

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Teach the Bridge Home (GRA#19 GRABridge #ProjectLIT)

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Author Reading: Watch a video of Padma Venkatraman reading a chapter from THE BRIDGE HOME. Global Read Aloud Q & A Videos for THE BRIDGE HOME can be accessed in 3 ways: Download Q & A videos that the author created based on some of the questions submitted by readers during the Global Read Aloud:...

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Short video clip about the inspiration for THE BRIDGE HOME created for #ProjectLITbookclub #ProjectLITcommmunity

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Excerpts from Reviews

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Two bingo grids - one for younger readers in upper elementary (gr 4-5) and another for gr 6 + (middle grade/junior high/high school).

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Deeply admire Susannah Richards's boundless energy and enthusiasm. An an honor to hear from her upon release, despite her hectic schedule:

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Thank you @padmatv @penguinkids @nancyrosep for publishing this #kidlit #mgnovel on #sisterhood #family #decisions #poverty #literary #loyalty #hopeful #honest #readit #worthit #discussit #readingalleybutpublishedthismonth

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Thank you @padmatv @penguinkids @nancyrosep for publishing this #kidlit #mgnovel on #sisterhood #family #decisions #poverty #literary #loyalty #hopeful #honest #readit #worthit #discussit #readingalleybutpublishedthismonth https://t.co/Kxxe68ome9

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Thank you @padmatv @penguinkids @nancyrosep for publishing this #kidlit #mgnovel on #sisterhood #family #decisions #poverty #literary #loyalty #hopeful #honest #readit #worthit #discussit #readingalleybutpublishedthismonth pic.twitter.com/Kxxe68ome9
— Susannah Richards (@SussingOutBooks) February 23, 2019

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Thank you @padmatv @penguinkids @nancyrosep for publishing this #kidlit #mgnovel on #sisterhood #family #decisions #poverty #literary #loyalty #hopeful #honest #readit #worthit #discussit #readingalleybutpublishedthismonth https://t.co/Kxxe68ome9

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Thank you @padmatv @penguinkids @nancyrosep for publishing this #kidlit #mgnovel on #sisterhood #family #decisions #poverty #literary #loyalty #hopeful #honest #readit #worthit #discussit #readingalleybutpublishedthismonth https://t.co/Kxxe68ome9

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Thank you @padmatv @penguinkids @nancyrosep for publishing this #kidlit #mgnovel on #sisterhood #family #decisions #poverty #literary #loyalty #hopeful #honest #readit #worthit #discussit #readingalleybutpublishedthismonth

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"Unforgettable" declares creative, dedicated, incredible teacher Colby Sharp 

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"Unforgettable" declares creative, dedicated, incredible teacher Colby Sharp 

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So grateful for this book talk. Brought tears to my eyes. May we change the world together, for better, if only in small ways...

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The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman | Book Talk

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Guest post by Author & Free Resources (relating to social justice & THE BRIDGE HOME) 

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Guest post by Author & Free Resources (relating to social justice & THE BRIDGE HOME) 

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Free resources on sharing books about socioeconomic inequity with young readers

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I'm twenty and in graduate school when I first hear the expression "food fights."

I refuse to picture what my classmate, Heinz, has described: children throwing food on one another, for "fun." As a young woman who's left behind her not-exactly-wealthy single mother and journeyed alone overseas, I cannot even begin to comprehend this. Instead, my brain conjures up an Oliver-Twist scenario.

"You mean you were hungry because they didn't give you enough food, so you protested?" I ask.

Raucous laughter surrounds me. The two others in my study group (both young white men from well-to-do backgrounds, like Heinz), explain that no, food fights are when kids fling food at one another.

"Cafeteria food's tasteless," they tell me. "Not worth eating."

I'm stunned into silence. I don't know how to explain why the concept of throwing away something edible - wasting food for the sake of play - shocks me to the core.

Now, decades after that incident, the idea of a food fight still appalls me.

Perhaps it's because I spent my first nineteen years in India, where I saw hungry children on the streets, every single day. Maybe it's also because my grandfather faced hunger as a child. And in part, it's probably because I was raised by a single mom and for several years our economic situation was fraught.

Then again, I always had enough to eat. But although I never went hungry, I came into close contact with children who had - because my mother volunteered at several schools that were attended by children who'd faced dire poverty. I was befriended by two Roma girls, one of whom ran away from her family and hid in a graveyard until a school gave her refuge. At a homeless shelter, I met children who were fiercely independent and proud of their ability to support themselves.

The food provided in these places was certainly not superior to American school cafeteria food - but I can't remember any child ever wasting even a grain of rice. What I do remember is how carefully and attentively they'd savor the sweet treats they were served on rare occasions. And these children weren't just hungry for food - they were hungry for books, too. To them, school was a place of safety in an otherwise violent and unpredictable world.

My memories of these children provided the inspiration for my 4th novel, .

Recently, when Grace Lin honored me by interviewing me for her kidlitwomen podcast, she asked me to dream big. Since then, I've realized that my biggest dream specifically for THE BRIDGE HOME is that it shall raise awareness about hunger and homelessness, which children face not just in India, but also in America, and across the globe. I hope that by laughing - and crying - with my characters, my readers will form a bond of empathy so strong that they will never engage in a "food fight."

About Padma

Award-winning American author, Padma Venkatraman, worked as a chief scientist on oceanographic ships, explored rainforests, directed a school, and lived in 5 countries before settling down in Rhode Island. Her middle-grade debut, THE BRIDGE HOME, a contender for the Global Read Aloud initiative, is available for pre-order and scheduled 2019 February release. In a Starred Review, Kirkus calls it "a blisteringly beautiful book."
Life is harsh in Chennai's teeming streets, so when runaway sisters Viji and Rukku arrive, their prospects look grim. Very quickly, eleven-year-old Viji discovers how vulnerable they are in this uncaring, dangerous world. Fortunately, the girls find shelter-and friendship-on an abandoned bridge. With two homeless boys, Muthi and Arul, the group forms a family of sorts. And while making a living scavenging the city's trash heaps is the pits, the kids find plenty to laugh about and take pride in too. After all, they are now the bosses of themselves and no longer dependent on untrustworthy adults. But when illness strikes, Viji must decide whether to risk seeking help from strangers or to keep holding on to their fragile, hard-fought freedom.
Her previous 3 novels, , ISLAND'S END and , were also released to starred reviews and won numerous honors and awards.

ONE MORE THING...

Our Poverty Doesn't Discriminate: Understanding Poverty in America kit is ready to be downloaded and enjoyed by parents, librarians, and educators. This free classroom kit includes:

~Over 2 dozen poverty in the U.S.-themed books for ages 4-12,

~Two classroom or home activities

~Our official "Poverty Doesn't Discriminate" Classroom Poster thanks to the talents of award-winning illustrator, Mehrdokht Amini

~ Helpful Poverty Talking Points for Teachers

~ Links, resources and services available to under-served families in the U.S.A.

Link to sign up on the website: https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/multicultural-reading-resources/teacher-classroom-poverty-kit/

Link to Blog post: https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/free-downloadable-classroom-poverty-kit-understanding-poverty-in-america/

As always this non-profit thanks you for helping us to continue our mission of getting diverse books into classrooms or the hands of young readers while also helping authors and publishers shine the spotlight on their work.

Our official hashtag is #ReadYourWorld

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Hungry for Food, Hungry for Books {Guest Post by Padma Venkatraman} - Multicultural Children's Book Day

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I'm twenty and in graduate school when I first hear the expression "food fights." I refuse to picture what my classmate, Heinz, has described: children throwing food on one another, for "fun." As a young woman who's left behind her not-exactly-wealthy single mother and journeyed alone overseas, I cannot even begin to comprehend this.

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Questions, Extension Activities and Research Prompts created by amazing librarian and educator Lalitha Nataraj and published by Penguin Random House

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A heart-to-heart talk with Rockstar Librarian Matthew  Winner 

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A heart-to-heart talk with Rockstar Librarian Matthew  Winner 

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Matthew was so compassionate that I shared some difficult personal secrets... I suggest you listen AFTER you read the book

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Download and Print a poster that invites everyone to read, because books bridge homes and hearts

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Listen to me and my daughter read aloud the Indian words and names in THE BRIDGE HOME

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Listen to the beginning of THE BRIDGE HOME in the author's own voice

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Listen to the beginning of THE BRIDGE HOME in the author's own voice

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Get a sample of the Audiophile Earphone Award winning audiobook of THE BRIDGE HOME

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Embed The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman

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Short Video Message (embedded in a tweet)

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Hooray! I'll be at ALA and Hooray for books very soon!
6/21 Fri @HFBooks 1555 King St Alexandria VA 22314 3:30
6/22 Sat @alaannual #alaac19 @yalsa @USBBY WCC Rm 151 A 4:00 p.m.
6/23 Sun @PenguinClass @penguinkids PRH Booth 1805 Table 4 10:00 a.m.

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Padma Venkatraman, author, Born Behind Bars (9/21)

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Hooray! I'll be at ALA and Hooray for books very soon!
6/21 Fri @HFBooks 1555 King St Alexandria VA 22314 3:30
6/22 Sat @alaannual #alaac19 @yalsa @USBBY WCC Rm 151 A 4:00 p.m.
6/23 Sun @PenguinClass @penguinkids PRH Booth 1805 Table 4 10:00 a.m. https://t.co/mJGmpIE6C1

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Padma Venkatraman, author, Born Behind Bars (9/21)

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Padma Venkatraman, author, Born Behind Bars (9/21)

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Hooray! I'll be at ALA and Hooray for books very soon!
6/21 Fri @HFBooks 1555 King St Alexandria VA 22314 3:30
6/22 Sat @alaannual #alaac19 @yalsa @USBBY WCC Rm 151 A 4:00 p.m.
6/23 Sun @PenguinClass @penguinkids PRH Booth 1805 Table 4 10:00 a.m. pic.twitter.com/mJGmpIE6C1
— Padma Venkatraman, author, Born Behind Bars (9/21) (@padmatv) June 20, 2019

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Hooray! I'll be at ALA and Hooray for books very soon!
6/21 Fri @HFBooks 1555 King St Alexandria VA 22314 3:30
6/22 Sat @alaannual #alaac19 @yalsa @USBBY WCC Rm 151 A 4:00 p.m.
6/23 Sun @PenguinClass @penguinkids PRH Booth 1805 Table 4 10:00 a.m. https://t.co/mJGmpIE6C1

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Padma Venkatraman, author, Born Behind Bars (9/21)

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Hooray! I'll be at ALA and Hooray for books very soon!
6/21 Fri @HFBooks 1555 King St Alexandria VA 22314 3:30
6/22 Sat @alaannual #alaac19 @yalsa @USBBY WCC Rm 151 A 4:00 p.m.
6/23 Sun @PenguinClass @penguinkids PRH Booth 1805 Table 4 10:00 a.m. https://t.co/mJGmpIE6C1

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Hooray! I'll be at ALA and Hooray for books very soon!
6/21 Fri @HFBooks 1555 King St Alexandria VA 22314 3:30
6/22 Sat @alaannual #alaac19 @yalsa @USBBY WCC Rm 151 A 4:00 p.m.
6/23 Sun @PenguinClass @penguinkids PRH Booth 1805 Table 4 10:00 a.m.

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Padma Venkatraman, author, Born Behind Bars (9/21)

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I speak to Alison Green Myers of the Highlights Foundation about Finding Voice in Creating THE BRIDGE HOME

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1. All Episodes

2. Padma Venkatraman talks about finding voice in creating the story behind her newest novel, "The Bridge Home"

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.

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Into The Words: Padma Venkatraman talks about finding voice in creating the story behind her newest novel, "The Bridge Home"

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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.

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My daughter learned how to play the Indian bamboo flute in the classical South Indian style, from a renowned musician called Shantala Subramanyam. Listen to her play a short song.

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A photographic background resource for week 2 of #GRA19

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THE BRIDGE HOME photographic resource for chapters 8-15

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In Chapter 10 (Unwelcome) Viji and Rukku see women drawing kolams. Open the articles (listed to the left) on this website and scroll down to find kolam patterns you can draw! Older readers may also be interested in the link between kolams patterns and Hemachandra/Fibonacci numbers. http://vindhiya.com/Naranan/Fibonacci-Kolams/

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This website demonstrates with theory and examples the connection between the beauty of Indian kolams with the elegance of the well known Fibonacci Numbers.

Prof S. Naranan, a Physicist, in course of drawing these Kolams as part of his many hobbies, discovered the elegant connection and has come up with some fascinating designs. The articles and actual drawings of the Kolams can be found by clicking the links on the left margin.

Kolams are decorative geometrical patterns that adorn the entrances of households and places of worship especially in South India. Kolam is a line drawing of curves and loops around a regular grid of points. Usually kolams have some symmetry (e.g. four-fold rotational symmetry). There are variants:

(1) Lines without dots
(2) Lines connecting dots and

Here we deal only with PuLLi kolam or kolam for short. The contents are organized in three sections: articles, kolams slides and special kolams.

(3) Free geometric shapes without lines or dots.

The last variety has sometimes, brilliant colors and is known as Rangoli, popular in North India. The traditional South Indian kolam, based on a grid of points is known as PuLLi kolam or NeLi kolam in Tamil Nadu ( PuLLi dot, NeLi = curve); Muggulu in Andhra Pradesh, Rangavalli in Karnataka and Pookalam in Kerala.

Special kolams are drawn on festive occasions with themes based on seasons, nature (flowers, trees) religious topics and deities. The month of Margazhi (Dec 15th to Jan 14th) is very special in Tamil Nadu. During this month, everyday, with the crack of dawn, women draw large kolams with bewildering complexities with rice flour in front of their homes. Rows of such colorful kolams on either side of the street, is a sight to behold for the passers by. The folk-art is handed down through generations of women from historic times, dating perhaps thousand years or more. Constrained only by some very broad rules, kolam designs offer scope for intricacy, complexity and creativity of high order, nurtured by the practitioners, mostly housemaids and housewives, both in rural and urban areas.

2.1: Part I: Square and Rectangular Designs.

We describe a general scheme for kolam designs based on numbers of the Fibonacci series (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34 .......). Square kolams (3 ², 5

2.2: Part II: Square and Rectangular designs of arbitrary size based on Generalized Fibonacci Numbers. ², 8 ², 13 ², 21 ²) and rectangular kolams (2 x 3, 3 x 5, 5 x 8, 8 x 13) are presented. The modular approach permits extension to larger kolams and computer-aided design. This enhances the level of creativity of the art.

The scheme is generalized to arbitrary sizes of square and rectangular kolams using generalized Fibonacci numbers. The problem of enumeration – the number of possible Fibonacci kolams of a given size – is discussed. Enumeration of kolams of small size (3 ², 5 ², 2 x 3) is described. For 2 x 3 kolams kolams symmetry operators forming a group are used to classify them. Finally, the scheme is further extended beyond square grids to cover diamond-shaped grids. Possible connections of kolams to Knot theory and Group theory are indicated.

2.3: Part III. Rectangualr Kolams with two-fold Rotational Symmentry

In Parts I and II, a general scheme was given to create square kolams based on 'Fibonacci Recurrence'. Based on the canonical Fibonacci Series 0 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 . . . . .

Square kolams 3 ², 5 ², 8 ², 13

KOLAM SLIDES
This Power Point file has 49 slides. The first 16 slides contain interesting facts about Fibonacci Numbers. The remaining deal with the Kolam designs based on Fibonacci Numbers. The kolams are duplicated from the two articles mentioned above. Explanations for the kolam slides can be found in the articles.

SPECIAL KOLAMS
The Generalized Fibonacci Numbers permit a wide choice for the rectangles that go into the square designs. With the standard "Fibonacci Numbers" the rectangles are "Golden rectangles" with sides equal to consecutive Fibonacci numbers and their ratio approaching the Golden Ratio ? (=1.61803...). The explanations for the 6 slides are given below; All these kolams have a single loop except the last one. ², 21 ² were presented in Part I. Square kolams of any desired size can be generated based on the Generalized Fibonacci Series (Part II). Rectangular kolams with sides as consecutive Fibonacci numbers - Golden Rectangles - were also drawn but they lack any symmetry property like the square kolams which have four-fold rotational symmetry. In this paper (Part III), Rectangular kolams with two-fold rotational symmetry based on Fibonacci Recurrence are presented.

Fibonacci Rectangles are based on two Fibonacci Quartets unlike the Fibonacci Squares that are based on one Fibonacci Quartet, and are therefore harder to create.

1. (7 4 11 15) This code implies that a 15² kolam is made up of a central square 7² surrounded by four rectangles 4 x 11. The code for 7² is (3 2 5 7); or the 7² contains a central 3² surrounded by four rectangles 2 x 5. Each 4 x 11 rectangle is made up of three modules: 4², 4 x 3 and 4².

2. (13 4 17 21) Since 21 is a Fibonacci Number, the canonical quartet code for 21² is (5 8 13 21). The "Golden rectangles" are 8 x 13, two consecutive Fibonacci Numbers. But here we consider 21 as a "Generalized Fibonacci Number" and the quartet code is (13 4 17 21). The 21² is made up o of a 13² surrounded by four rectangles 4 x 17. The 13² has the code (5 4 9 13) again different from the canonical (3 5 8 13). Each 4 x 17 rectangle is made up of 5 modules 4²,4², 4 x 1, 4², 4².

3. (12 7 19 26). This square kolam, we name it "a e-kolam", e representing the Euler's constant (2.7182818. . . .), the base for natural logarithms. The code implies that a 26² kolam has a central 12² enveloped by four rectangular kolams 7 x 19. The ratio of the sides 19/7 = 2.714.., differs from e by 0.004 or < 0.15 % of e. So this kolam has "e-rectangles" instead of the Golden rectangles. The central 12² has the code (8 2 10 12) – i.e. a central 8² surrounded by four rectangles 2 x 10. In turn the 8² has the canonical code (2 3 5 8). The 3 x 5s are Golden rectangles. So, this kolam features both the Golden rectangles and the e-rectangles.

4. (7 19). This rectangle of sides 7 x 19 with ratio approximately equal to e, the Euler's constant, was used in the in 26² kolam above. It is made up of three modules, a 7 x 5 rectangle sandwiched between two squares 7². The three modules are spliced together at 6 points, indicated by dots. If splices at the points A and B are added then the single loop kolam splits into three loops.

5. (15 7 22 29). This square kolam, we name it " a pi-kolam". The code (15 7 22 29) implies that 29- This 29² kolam contains a smaller 15² kolam at the center surrounded by four rectangles 7 x 22. The ratio of the sides of the rectangle 22/7 is the commonly used approximation for pi, the ratio of the perimeter to diameter of a circle.

- 22/7 = 3.14285...differs from pi (=3.14159 ...) by 0.0013, which is < 0.04 % of pi. - The code for 152 is (7 4 11 15) and the code for 72 is (3 2 5 7).

- The code for 15² is (7 4 11 15) and the code for 7² is (3 2 5 7). Each 7 x 22 rectangle is composed of 4 modules 7², 4 x 7, 4 x 7, 7² that are spliced together at 15 places to produce a 3-loop design.

² kolam is built with 33 modules and 111 splicing points to produce a single loop traversing 841 ( 29²) dots or grid points.

6. (7 22). This shows the 7 x 22 "pi-rectangle" used in the 29² square kolam above. The 15 splicing points come in three sets of 5 indicated by dots in the direction of arrows. The three loops are shown in different colours. It is possible to convert this into a single-loop kolam by removing the two splices at A and B.

Dr. S. Naranan (b. 1930) was an experimental cosmic-ray physicist and X-ray Astronomer based mostly in the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Bombay, India, in a career spanning 42 years. He is a firm believer in the interdisciplinary character of science and has diversified his interests to other fields such as mathematics, statistics, computer science, biology, genetics and linguistics. He lives with his wife Visalakshi in Chennai, India.

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Prof S. Naranan, a Physicist, in course of drawing South Indian Kolams, one of his many hobbies, discovered an elegant connection between them and Fibonacci series of numbers in mathematics. He has come up with many fascinating and beautiful designs. This website contains his papers and Power Point Slides with examples and the theory behind them.

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Learn to write the characters' names in their mother tongue through this instructional video

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Photos showing an Indian wedding, Divali (Diwali) celebrations, Santhome church (Madras) and a bead necklace maker, for week 4 of #GRA19

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Photo Resource for Padma Venkatraman's THE BRIDGE HOME chapters 23-30

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Suggestions for linking a chapter in THE BRIDGE HOME with the positive theme of peace

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Thoughts about sharing books on tough topics with young readers

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Thoughts about sharing books on tough topics with young readers

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Wondering if your students are old enough to relate to social justice issues like hunger, homelessness, poverty etc.? Here's a link for teachers that may be helpful...

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by Mary Cowhey
Sternhouse Publishers, 2006.
256 pgs

Black Ants and Buddhists is a stellar primer on teaching for social change and meaning in the primary grades.

Cowhey has spent several years integrating social justice, activism, community participation, and critical thinking into her classes in order to nurture "more informed, articulate, active and participatory citizens who know the power of their own voices."

A conversation about stepping on ants - or not - leads to an exploration of different world religions and a philosophical debate about compassion and kindness.

Students frequently meet with community leaders - like the mayor - and help enact change in their school and community.

They register voters, feed the homeless, quote Gandhi, and debate whether or not Columbus should have ever set foot in the "new world."

Of course, they also fight over play equipment and spill their juice, but they're just six or seven, after all.

In a world where "What can I do? I'm only one person?" is a common lament sprouting from the mouths of adults, Cowhey has demonstrated, via her book, strategies and stories for empowering and inspiring our young learners.

And these young learners are making a major difference in their community. They are making connections and drawing conclusions that many "grownups" still struggle with.

This book is most relevant for those who work with younger children, but almost anyone who cares about the world will find a lot of inspiration here ...and hope for the future.

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Black Ants and Buddhists: Thinking Critically and Teaching Differently in the Primary Grades - Institute for Humane Education

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by Mary Cowhey Sternhouse Publishers, 2006. 256 pgs Black Ants and Buddhists is a stellar primer on teaching for social change and meaning in the primary grades. Cowhey has spent several years integrating social justice, activism, community participation, and critical thinking into her classes in order to nurture "more informed, articulate, active and participatory citizens who know the power of their own voices."

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Discover where Rukku, Viji, Muthu, Arul and Kutti live. A mini geography lesson.

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I love speaking to people and sharing my love of books and reading. To invite me to your conference, book festival, school, library, university or book club, please contact the Author Village via the link below:

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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, which received five-starred reviews; and Climbing the Stairs.

Born in India, Padma survived a difficult childhood. As a young girl, books were a saving grace, although she never came across protagonists who looked like her. When she left India at the age of nineteen, she decided to pursue her love of science and mathematics rather than her love of literature. She immigrated to America on her own, obtained her doctorate in oceanography at the College of William and Mary, conducted postdoctoral work at Johns Hopkins University, and worked in Germany, the United Arab Emirates.

Before becoming a full-time, award-winning South-Asian American author, Padma Venkatraman explored rainforests and coral reefs, directed a school, taught at a university, conducted research in environmental engineering, and served as chief scientist on oceanographic ships where she was the only female and only person of color.

As an adult who lives with a chronic health condition, she is dedicated to increasing diversity and multiculturalism in books, a cause for which she has worked consistently for over a decade.

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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, which received five-starred reviews; and Climbing the Stairs. Born in India, Padma survived a difficult childhood.

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Photos of beaches, banana stalls and other more photographic resources for week 3 of the global read aloud 2019

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Photographic Resource for THE BRIDGE HOME chapters 16-22

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Vocabulary Game (High school / middle school / upper elementary) 

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Vocabulary Game (High school / middle school / upper elementary) 

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Amazing ELA resource created by Nupur Sethi, an incredible teacher, for The Bridge Home

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Unscramble in 60 seconds Game- The Bridge Home

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A photographic background resource for week 1 of #GRA19

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The Bridge Home Photo Resource Week 1 #GRA19

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Photo resource for the final week ( 6 ) of global read aloud 2019

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Photo resource for Padma Venkatraman's THE BRIDGE HOME chapters 38-44

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Photo resource for week 5 of the global read aloud showing waterlogging after rain, a church, graveyard etc.

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Photo Resource for Padma Venkatraman's THE BRIDGE HOME chapters 31-37

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Book order policy and discount for author appearances

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A lot of fans have created wonderful trailers for which I'm very grateful, but many of them give away way too much of the plot. So here's one that I created, and it starts and ends with my voice.

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I'm better at cooking up stories than at cooking, but here is a recipe for my favorite Indian dessert, links to directions on preparing dishes referred to in THE BRIDGE HOME and suggested activities / discussion questions relating to food and hunger.

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BCCB suggested that THE BRIDGE HOME would "inspire activist longings." Here are some suggestions if you want to start changing the world.

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EveryONE CAN HELP Social Justice Activities.docx

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Social studies extension activities

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The discussion guide above already has some excellent writing prompts but if you're looking for more suggestions...

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Invite budding actors to read aloud or perform a short scene (during weeks 2 and 3 of #GRABridge).

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Script for 2 Scenes from THE BRIDGE HOME.pdf

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Extension activity suggestions

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Further reading suggestions and a personal statement.

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Want to read more? I've written other books (Climbing the Stairs, A Time to Dance, and Island's End) which I hope you'll add to your list. And here are some books I didn't write such as WHAT JAMIE SAW by Carolyn Coman with themes related to THE BRIDGE HOME.

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Photos with captions relating to all 6 weeks of #GRA19 for #GRABridge

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Photographic Resources for THE BRIDGE HOME 1.pdf

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Incredible hyperdoc with lots of resources created by incredible educators. Thanks Jeen Breen Johnson, Jean O'Brien, Shannon O'Neill, Amy Celis, Gustav Lindqvist, Melissa Rae, Danielle Rankovich, Julie Jasinki, Danielle Grate

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Recording a video or audio reading of THE BRIDGE HOME? Guidelines!

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Recording a video or audio reading of THE BRIDGE HOME? Guidelines!

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Thrilled by your love for my book - thanks - and please follow these important guidelines from Penguin (regarding copyright issues).

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audio instructions - global read aloud.docx

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Here's a wonderful idea from one of the wonderful teachers I follow on twitter

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Teachers consider adding a #VirtualReality 360 tour of India to your lessons for #GRABridge #GRA19 @padmatv @dcarruthersedu @vagabrothers  https://t.co/ZZjCfyNeOD

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Teachers consider adding a #VirtualReality 360 tour of India to your lessons for #GRABridge #GRA19 @padmatv @dcarruthersedu @vagabrothers  https://t.co/ZZjCfyNeOD

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Teachers consider adding a #VirtualReality 360 tour of India to your lessons for #GRABridge #GRA19 @padmatv @dcarruthersedu @vagabrothers https://t.co/ZZjCfyNeOD
— Erica Morrill (@EricaAnneM) September 8, 2019

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Teachers consider adding a #VirtualReality 360 tour of India to your lessons for #GRABridge #GRA19 @padmatv @dcarruthersedu @vagabrothers  https://t.co/ZZjCfyNeOD

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Teachers consider adding a #VirtualReality 360 tour of India to your lessons for #GRABridge #GRA19 @padmatv @dcarruthersedu @vagabrothers  https://t.co/ZZjCfyNeOD

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Teachers consider adding a #VirtualReality 360 tour of India to your lessons for #GRABridge #GRA19 @padmatv @dcarruthersedu @vagabrothers  https://t.co/ZZjCfyNeOD

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If you'd like to Skype with me, I'll be giving away free Skype visits as we countdown to #GRA19. Follow my twitter feed to be notified. If you'd like to schedule a paid Skype visit, please use the contact form on my website. Thanks and can't wait to meet you!

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Rhode Island, September 2019

Dear educator,

It's impossible for me to express how grateful I feel that THE BRIDGE HOME is a Global Read Aloud choice. I've long admired this wonderful endeavor and I love how Ms. Ripp is able to connect people around the world through the power of words. I can't wait for you to meet Rukku, Viji, Muthu, Arul and Kutti - all of whom are based on friends I had as a child, growing up in India. As a gesture of thanks, I'll be giving away 4 free skype as we countdown to #GRABridge. If interested, please follow me on twitter (@padmatv) and watch for the Skype giveaways (planned for Thursdays or Fridays this September).

Opening a book I love, to me, is like opening a door into someone's heart. While I read, for a while, I live, breathe, and feel what the characters experience - and when I finish it, I don't just have the sense that I was transported to another place or time but also that I have been transformed just a little by the moments of empathy I experienced. If you and your students feel this way as they read THE BRIDGE HOME, I hope to connect with them (through weekly blog posts and Q&A videos) and encourage them to engage in activities that raise awareness and bring positivity and change into their lives, homes, environments and communities. To that end, and to augment your GRA experience and make it more fun, I've also created a lot of educational materials that are freely downloadable, such as:

Photo resource (pdf of photographs of the city that inspired THE BRIDGE HOME, with annotations)

Reader's Theater (for 2 scenes in the novel)

Video mini-lessons on geography and showing how to write in Tamil (which the characters speak)

Podcast of me reading the first chapter

Pronunciation guide (for Indian names and words)

Discussion guide

Suggestions for social justice activities

Cooking up stories (a recipe for Indian style saffron yogurt and links to recipes for food mentioned in THE BRIDGE HOME)

Writing prompts, cross-curricular links with mathematics, art, social studies, and much much more.

You can find this on my website (www.padmavenkatraman.com/resources and then click on The Bridge Home tab). On my website, you'll also see links to my social media and you can sign up to follow my blog posts there as well (and that way you'll be notified each time I put up a new post). I will be taking questions weekly on my blog - and I plan to choose a few of the questions I receive before 12:00 noon US EST Wednesday each week and create a video with answers every Friday during #GRA19.

In addition, Ms. Ripp has very kindly agreed, with the help of her class, to judge two contests (a writing contest and an art contest) during #GRABridge (more information to come).

Here's looking forward to building bridges with words, across the world, together. Books bridge homes and hearts!

Padma

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Reading A Bridge Home? Read this! #GRA19

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Rhode Island, September 2019 Dear educator, It's impossible for me to express how grateful I feel that THE BRIDGE HOME is a Global Read Aloud choice. I've long admired this wonderful endeavor and I love how Ms. Ripp is able to connect people around the world through the power of words.

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Marvelous examples of "blackout poems" using another of my books (credit to an amazing teacher I follow on twitter). You can do this using The Bridge Home, for sure!

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Two of my @fischerfalcon Ss created this Blackout Poem for their final book club task. It represents, @padmatv ‘s book A Time To Dance.

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Two of my @fischerfalcon Ss created this Blackout Poem for their final book club task. It represents, @padmatv ‘s book A Time To Dance. https://t.co/VoQ4qurbkt

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Two of my @fischerfalcon Ss created this Blackout Poem for their final book club task. It represents, @padmatv ‘s book A Time To Dance. pic.twitter.com/VoQ4qurbkt
— Megan Hall (@mrsmbhall) May 15, 2019

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Two of my @fischerfalcon Ss created this Blackout Poem for their final book club task. It represents, @padmatv ‘s book A Time To Dance. https://t.co/VoQ4qurbkt

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Two of my @fischerfalcon Ss created this Blackout Poem for their final book club task. It represents, @padmatv ‘s book A Time To Dance. https://t.co/VoQ4qurbkt

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Two of my @fischerfalcon Ss created this Blackout Poem for their final book club task. It represents, @padmatv ‘s book A Time To Dance.

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I've expanded my author visit menu to include new items and my events are now scheduled and managed by The Author Village.

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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, which received five-starred reviews; and Climbing the Stairs.

Born in India, Padma survived a difficult childhood. As a young girl, books were a saving grace, although she never came across protagonists who looked like her. When she left India at the age of nineteen, she decided to pursue her love of science and mathematics rather than her love of literature. She immigrated to America on her own, obtained her doctorate in oceanography at the College of William and Mary, conducted postdoctoral work at Johns Hopkins University, and worked in Germany, the United Arab Emirates.

Before becoming a full-time, award-winning South-Asian American author, Padma Venkatraman explored rainforests and coral reefs, directed a school, taught at a university, conducted research in environmental engineering, and served as chief scientist on oceanographic ships where she was the only female and only person of color.

As an adult who lives with a chronic health condition, she is dedicated to increasing diversity and multiculturalism in books, a cause for which she has worked consistently for over a decade.

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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, which received five-starred reviews; and Climbing the Stairs. Born in India, Padma survived a difficult childhood.

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This is a very interesting book. It is more of a feminist book & also address few of the social issues like un employement; poverty, women rights etc 

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This is a very interesting book. It is more of a feminist book & also address few of the social issues like un employement; poverty, women rights etc 

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See all the wonderful things Padma Venkatraman has made

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Awards and honors received by The Bridge Home

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Awards and honors received by The Bridge Home

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So deeply grateful that this novel has been so well received and widely acclaimed.

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Reviews, Honors and Awards for Padma Venkatraman's Books

THE BRIDGE HOME

* Winner, WNDB Walter Dean Myers Award for young readers

* Winner, SCBWI Golden Kite Award for middle grade fiction

* Winner, South Asia Book Award for middle grade books

* Winner, Crystal Kite Award, NESCBWI

* Winner, Paterson Prize for young people

* Winner, Nerdy Book Award

* Global Read Aloud, 2019

* Les Prix des Libraires du Quebec Finalist

* Litterado Prize Finalist

* Sakura Medal Japan Finalist

* Malka Penn Award Honor Book

* Cybil Awards Finalist

* TX Bluebonnet Award Nominee 20-21

* FL Sunshine State Children's Choice Award Nominee 20-21

* VA Reader's Choice Award Nominee 20-21

* KY Bluegrass Award Nominee 20-21

* MN Youth Reading Maud Hart Lovelace Award Nominee 20-21

* WSRA Wisconsin State Reading Association Award Nominee 20-21

* GA

* RI Middle School Book Award Nominee

* VT Golden Dome Book Award Nominee

* VT Middle Grade Children's Book Award Nominee

* ME Student Book Award Nominee

* PA Keystone State Literary Association Book Award Nominee

* NB Book Award Nominee

* SC Book Award Nominee

* ALA Notable Book

* ALSC Notable Audiobook

* Bank Street Best Books 2019

* Notable Book for a Global Society (ILA NGBS)

* Kirkus Best MG Books 2019

* NYPL Best 2019

* Chicago Public Library Best Books 2019

* Booklist Editor's Choice Best Books 2019

* Washington Post Best Books 2019

* Mighty Girl Best Books 2019

* SLJ Top 10 Audio Books 2019

* Booklist Editor's Choice Best Audio 2019

* Junior Library Guild audio selection

* Center for the Study of Multicultural Literature (CSMCL) Best Books 2019

* GoodReads Best MG Books 2019

*Audiophile Magazine Earphone Award

* Washington Post KidPost Summer Reading Selection

* ProjectLIT, 2019-20

* Ebony Teach Best Books 2019

* Betsy Bird's 31 MG titles in SLJ

* Mighty Girl pick

* Today Show

* National Book Festival Great Reads From Great Places (representing RI)

* "a blisteringly beautiful book" - Starred Review, Kirkus

* "absorbing" - Starred Review, Booklist

* "stellar" - Starred Review, SLJ

* "a story that must be shared." - Starred Review, SLC

* "exquisitely narrated" - Starred Review, PW

* "moving" - Sound Commentary, Starred Review

* Venkatraman brings love, support and humor to a story undergirded by tough issues" - SLJ audio, Starred Review

* "beautifully rendered" - SF Chronicle

* "gorgeous storytelling" - NYT Book Review

* "will break hearts and inspire activist longings" - BCCB

* "this bittersweet novel is about breaking the cycle of abuse, reaching for your dreams and finding home " - Horn Book

* "an amazing book" - Newsday
Watch Trailer Listen to the first chapter in the author's voice
"Spiritually uplifting" - Starred review, Booklist

"magnificently strong" - Starred review, VOYA

"exceptional" - Starred Review, SLJ

"beautiful" - Starred Review, Kirkus

"Heart- achingly hopeful and beautifully written." - Starred Review, BCCB

"powerful depiction of a teen girl struggling to recover from an accident" - Chicago Tribune

"Sure to go on my favorites list" - Denver Post

"Loved this book" - Newsday

"dazzles & delights...beautifully written" - Providence Journal

ALA Notable

ALA/YALSA Best Book for Young Adults (BBYA)

Booklist Editor's Choice Best Book for Young Adults

Booklist Top 10 art book for youth

Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Choice

Crystal Kite (New England) Finalist

Center for the study of multicultural literature (CSML) Best Book

Forever literary top 10 character driven books

Eliot Rosewater (IN) masterlist

IBBY Outstanding book for young people with disabilities

Indienext (summer) selection

IRA Notable Book for a Global Society (NBGS)

Julia Ward Howe Boston Authors Club honor book

Kirkus Best Book for Young Adults

Mighty Girl Best Books of the Year

New York Public Library Top 25

New York City Reads (#NYC365)

Nutmeg Award (CT) masterlist

Rebecca Caudill (IL) masterlist

Red dot award winner (3 rd place, Singapore children's choice)

Sequoyah (OK) masterlist

Sanoc/SABA Finalist
Watch Trailer
"vivifies a unique era and culture as it movingly expresses how love and hope can blossom even under the most dismal of circumstances" - Starred review, PW

"an intricate and convincing backdrop of a conservative Brahmin home in a time of change"- Starred review, Booklist

"will capture the imaginations of many readers"- Starred review, VOYA

"a compelling story"- Lynda Brill Comerford, Publishers Weekly, "Flying Start"

"Thought-provoking and deeply moving."- Booksense, Notable Citation

"will appeal to an international audience"- Michelle Reale, India Currents

" [A] fine, often heart-breaking novel"- Sam Coale, The Providence Sunday Journal

Winner, BAC Julia Ward Howe award

Winner, ASTAL RI Book of the Year award

ALA Best Book for Young Adults (BBYA)

ALA/ Amelia Bloomer List Selection

Bank Street College of Education Best Book

Booklinks Best New Book

Booksense Notable

Booklist Editor's Choice, BBYA

Capitol Choice

CCBC Choice

Cybil awards finalist

Children's Literature Network Top 25

NCSS/CBC Notable

NYPL Best Book

Pennsylvania School Library Association (PASLA) Top-40

Publishers Weekly Flying Start

ME Student Book Award Nominee

UT Beehive Book Award Nominee

SC Children's Book Award Nominee

NJ Garden State Book Award Nominee

Shortlisted for Reading Across Rhode Island
Watch Trailer
Free Stuff

"enticing blend of mystic tradition & imaginative speculation" - Starred review, PW

"succeeds spectacularly" - Starred review, Booklist

"Vividly written and expertly paced" - SLJ, Starred Review

"consistenly engrosses" - Kirkus, Starred Review

Winner, SANOC/South Asia Book Award

Winner, Paterson Prize

ALA BBYA

ALA/Amelia Bloomer List Selection

Kirkus Best Book for Young Adults

Booklist Editor's Choice Best Book for Young Adults

CCBC Best Book

Crystal Kite New England, Finalist

Julia Ward Howe Boston Authors Club, Finalist
Watch Trailer

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Reviews, Honors and Awards for Padma Venkatraman's Books THE BRIDGE HOME * Winner, WNDB Walter Dean Myers Award for young readers * Winner, SCBWI Golden Kite Award for middle grade fiction * Winner, South Asia Book Award for middle grade books * Winner, Crystal Kite Award, NESCBWI * Winner, Paterson Prize for young people *...