Written by padma venkatraman, audiobook narrated by sumeet bharati. This book gives readers a glimpse into what it means to live in a traditional indian joint family and of the restrictions imposed on people due to social and cultural norms. Provide your email address below and then click the follow button to receive updates whenever the author writes a new blog post. Climbing the stairs ebook written by padma venkatraman. The book was published in multiple languages including english language, consists of 256 pages and is available in hardcover format. Climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman penguin random. A fine, often heartbreaking first novel the providence journal. Padma venkatraman lives in north kingstown, rhode island. Climbing the stairs based on a true story based on a.
Fiction set during world war ii and the last days of british occupation in india, this remarkable debut poignantly depicts a young girl struggling to find her place in a mixedup world, and tells a powerful story about love and loss set against a fascinating historical backdrop. To learn more, about her book climbing the stairs, visit more about padma venkatraman. Climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman tells the story of vidya, a young 15 year old girl living in india during the times of wwii. Fifteenyearold vidya dreams of going to college an unusual aspiration. Buy the paperback book climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman at indigo. She has an older brother, kitta, a best friend, rifka. Climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman goodreads. Climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman on may 1, 2008 pages. Free download or read online climbing the stairs pdf epub book. India during world war ii and the last days of british occupation in india, fifteenyearold vidya dreams of attending college. Climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman book resume. Signin to download and listen to this audiobook today. Fifteenyearold vidya dreams of going to college an unusual.
The main characters of this historical, historical fiction story are. On a deeper level, vidya is climbing the stairs to reach freedom, equality, adulthood, and all of her goals going to college, becoming independent, etc. The first thing i noticed in climbing the stairs is the importance of religion. Climbing the stairs, padma venkatraman 9780142414903. To learn more, about her book climbing the stairs, visit the web site, you can also read her blog, padmasbooks. Then tragedy strikes, and vidya and her brother are. Climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman is a ya historical fiction about a fifteenyearold girl named vidya that takes place in india during the struggle for indian independence and wwii. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read climbing the stairs.
At the start of the story, she lives with her family in suburban india. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Set during world war ii and the last days of british occupation in india, this remarkable debut. Set during world war ii and the last days of british occupation in india, this remarkable debut poignantly depicts a young girl struggling to find her place in a. Climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman overdrive rakuten. Climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman 2010, paperback. To learn more, about her book climbing the stairs, visit the web site. Climbing the stairs is a powerful story about love and loss set against a.
Da hendes far bliver hjerneskadet i en ikkevoldelig protestmarch, tvinges vidya og hendes familie til at flytte. To learn more, about her book climbing the stairs, visit the. After her father is beaten and permanently injured by police at a protest for indian independence from britain, teenage vidya and her family must move in with relatives who live by far more traditional brahmin practices than vidyas progressivelyminded. Climbing the stairs is geared towards the ya audience, but can be enjoyed by anyone, since the themes addressed are universal. In india, in 1941, when her father becomes braindamaged in a nonviolent protest march, fifteenyearold vidya and her family are forced to move in with her fathers extended family and become accustomed to a totally different way of life. Climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman vidya is talented at school and hopes to one day go to college, an unusual and impossible sounding dream for an indian girl in the 1930s. The providence journal s sam coale called it a fine, often heartbreaking first novel and pointed out that, although he was not a young adult, he loved it and had not realized that it.
Padma venkatraman lived in five countries, explored rainforests and coral reefs, and was chief scientist on oceanographic vessels before becoming a united states citizen. Climbing the stairs is a powerful story about love and loss set against a fascinating historical backdrop. Vidyas brother is concerned about the strategic value of india leading to a japanese invasion. Buy climbing the stairs book online at low prices in india. Climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman, paperback barnes. Padma venkatraman climbing the stairs signed 1st1st. The first edition of the novel was published in 2008, and was written by padma venkatraman. Pdf climbing the stairs book by padma venkatraman free. A book trailer on climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman. It concerns a fifteenyearold girl named vidya, presenting her coming of age within the larger context of political instability in india, as the country strives for independence while fending off world war ii. But when her forwardthinking father is beaten senseless by the british police, she is forced to live with her grandfathers large traditional family, where the women live apart.
Pdf climbing the stairs download full pdf book download. But padma venkatraman has done a wonderful job of weaving together information about both in vidyas story. After her father is beaten and permanently injured by police at a protest for indian. Padma venkatraman s climbing the stairs is the book for you. American author, padma venkatraman, has worked as chief scientist on oceanographic ships and spent time under the sea, directed a school, and lived in 5 countries. During world war ii and the last days of british occupation in india, fifteenyearold vidya dreams of attending college. Mar 24, 2015 a book trailer on climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman. In climbing the stairs, padma venkatraman writes about the struggles one young girl faces in the midst of political and social conflicts in india during world war ii. To learn more, about her book climbing the stairs, visit the web site, you can. This writing prompt also draws inspiration from jane yolen and heidi stemples poetry book. It concerns a fifteenyearold girl named vidya, presenting her coming of age within the larger context of political instability in india, as.
Climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman overdrive. Padma venkatraman plans to write new posts regularly in fall, to celebrate the global read aloud project and projectlit. Fiction set during world war ii and the last days of british occupation in india, this remarkable. Read padma venkatraman s posts on the penguin blog. Climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman, paperback. I highly recommend readers accompany vidya on her journey. Dec 06, 2010 born in chennai, india the setting of much of the story, padma venkatraman has spent much of her life studying in the united states. Padma venkatramans debut novel poignantly shows a girl struggling to find her place in a mixedup world. Padma venkatraman, quote from climbing the stairs everytime i climbed the stairs, my heart lifted. Vidya, 15, has enjoyed a privileged life, and her father has promised her a university education. Sep 06, 20 climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman south asian challenge 2011 wrapup stargazerpujs book blog december 28, 2011 e. Set in india during the early years of world war ii, climbing the stairs is narrated by a charming young woman, 15, vidya, who dreams of nothing more than going to college and continuing her education.
Climbing the stairs, book by padma venkatraman paperback. Climbing the stairs audiobook by padma venkatraman. When he suffers permanent brain damage after being brutally beaten at a demonstration, however, the family must move in with his conservative brahmin relatives in madras, where the role of. Climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman is a ya historical fiction about a fifteenyearold. This is a historical fiction book set in world war ii. May 06, 2010 padma venkatraman lives in north kingstown, rhode island. Climbing the stairs read padma venkatraman s posts on the penguin blog.
It speaks to the searing pain of oppression and the struggle for. Vidyas father is a doctor who aids nonviolent protestors who are injured by british soldiers. Then tragedy strikes, and vidya and her brother are forced to move into a traditional household with their extended. Then tragedy strikes, and vidya and her brother are forced to move into a traditional household with their extended family, where women are meant to be. Climbing the stairs king county library system overdrive. Venkatraman makes a memorable debut with this lushly evoked novel set in india during wwii. Her father seems open to the idea however but when an accident happens it seems like her whole life is going to change and just staying in school might be more than. Climbing the stairs is a powerful story about love and loss set against a fascinating historical backdrop my thoughts. The author, padma venkatraman has an excellent website where you can find many more resources about climbing the stairs and the various aspects of india that are included in the book climbing the stairs has won the following well deserved honors. Venkatraman s climbing the stairs is a fast paced book full of memorable characters, a strong story line, and a satisfying conclusion. Fifteenyearold vidya is shocked and proud to learn that her appa f. Climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman 2008, hardcover. But when her forwardthinking father is beaten senseless by the.
Buy climbing the stairs book online at best prices in india on. The novel depicts fifteenyearold vidya, who is coming of age in a tumultuous time as her native india struggles for independence and the world battles in world war ii. Venkatraman is the recipient of a phd in oceanography from the college of william and mary. Penguin random house 9780142414903 a fine, often heartbreaking first novel the providence journal a passionate story. But when her forwardthinking father is beaten senseless by the british police, she is forced to live with her grandfathers large traditional family, where the women live apart from the men and are meant to be married off as soon as possible. An oceanographer by training, she is the author of twenty books for young readers, published in india, on a variety of subjects. American author, padma venkatraman, has worked as chief scientist on oceanographic ships and spent time under the sea, directed a school, and lived in 5. Her novels, a time to dance, islands end and climbing the stairs received several honors and awards. The first edition of this novel was published in 2008, and was written by padma venkatraman. Outspoken and willful vidya is excited about her future, but when her father is injured in a freedom rally, vidyas hopes of entering college are shattered when. Daily life revolves the hindu religion and venkatraman has named many of the chapters after the different religious festivals. Climbing the stairs, padma venkatraman 9780142414903 youtube.
The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 256 pages and is available in hardcover format. Climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman 9780399247460. Climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman is a ya historical fiction about a fifteenyearold girl named vidya that takes place in india during the struggle for. Even though the story is fictious, some of the events describe how it truly was during wwii when india was going through a. Jan 25, 2010 fifteenyearold vidya dreams of going to college an unusual aspiration for a girl living in british occupied india during world war ii. Get this book free when you sign up for a 30day trial. Climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman scholastic. Forster an atlas of impossible longing by anuradha roy chanakyas chant by ashwin sanghi climbing the stairs by padma venkatraman five queens road by sorayya khan miss timmins school for girls. Then tragedy strikes, and vidya and her brother are forced. Fifteenyearold vidya dreams of going to college an unusual aspiration for a girl living in british occupied india during world war ii. Padma venkatraman s debut novel poignantly shows a girl struggling to find her place in a mixedup world.