Padma Venkatraman is the author of three critically acclaimed award winning novels. Her latest, A Time to Dance (Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin) was released to 5 starred reviews (in Kirkus, Booklist, SLJ, VOYA and BCCB) and received numerous awards: ALA Notable, IRA NBGS, Kirkus Best Book, NYPL Top 25, IBBY outstanding, etc. Her two earlier novels, Island’s End and Climbing the Stairs, were also released to three or more starred reviews, were both ALA Best Books, CCBC choices and Booklist Editor’s Choice/Best Books and have won several other honors and awards. Padma Venkatraman is American, has a doctorate in oceanography and lives in Rhode Island. Visit her at www.padmasbooks.com and www.padmasbooks.blogspot.com.