Author Story Spotlight: Padma Venkatraman

We asked authors, “When did your writing make a difference in the life of a reader?”

Padma Venkatraman (The Bridge Home, Born Behind Bars) writes stories for young readers, and in return she hears stories about how her readers have been empowered, challenged, and moved by her work. In this author story, Padma shares just one anecdote about a time her book Born Behind Bars helped a young reader discover on Super Bowl Sunday that he had a super power of his own: empathy for those who are fighting against injustice.

 “Born Behind Bars has been met with challenges, and the only thing I can say is: You can lock me up. You can lock my books up. But my books can unlock empathy in other people’s hearts.”

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