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Naomi Milliner is the author of Super Jake & the King of Chaos (Running Press Kids) and The Trouble with Secrets (Quill Tree/HarperCollins), as well as coeditor and contributor of On All Other Night, which was chosen as a Junior Library Guild Selection. She created the Author Book Club for her SCBWI chapter, served on The Women’s National Book Association’s Great Group Reads Committee since 2009, and enjoys mentoring both children and adults. Naomi lives in Maryland with her family, too many books to count (but still never enough!), and one very fuzzy cat.
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TLT: What was something challenging/surprising about writing this book?
Naomi: One of the biggest, and most enjoyable, challenges in writing this book was that it began as a YA novel. I shifted the focus from the 19-year-old and 17-year-old to their 12-year-old sister, and added a best friend, younger brother, musical storyline… and Two Big Secrets!
TLT: What inspired your book?
Naomi: The inspiration for both the YA and MG versions of this story was a very minor subplot with a supporting character in a TV show (whose name I will keep secret!) that I once loved. Although the storyline involved a pair of teenage siblings, they actually never had a single scene together!
TLT: What are you working on now?
Naomi: My next novel is another YA-turned-MG story about four girls who meet at the beach, become fast (and lasting) friends, and try to help each other: save a pet store; uncover a secret origin story; and keep a marriage from falling apart.
TLT: What is one thing that adult you would go back and tell younger you, that you wish you had known?
Naomi: Apparently, I have loads of advice for younger me:
Be less fearful and more confident;
Advocate for yourself and others; and
Don’t ever give up!
TLT: What do you hope readers take away from your book?
Naomi: As with everything I write, I hope readers take away that even if – or when – the worst thing happens, they can – they will – get through it.
Twelve-year-old Becky has great expectations placed upon her. Not only does she need to be as perfect as her older brother and sister, but her upcoming bat mitzvah needs to be perfect, too. She is the rabbi’s daughter, after all. The trouble is, Becky’s intentions often lead her astray. At least when she plays the flute, she feels like the best version of herself. Until playing the flute causes Becky to do something not so perfect: keep a secret from her parents.
Then Becky discovers that Sara, her “perfect” sister, has an even bigger secret. One that could turn the family upside down. The sisters couldn’t be more ready to keep each other’s secret safe…until the excitement turns to guilt, and Becky is forced to make an impossible choice.
When secrets are shared and choices are made, doing the right thing can feel so wrong. And Becky will learn that actions, no matter how well intended, always have consequences.
Pub date: April 8, 2025
Publisher: Quill Tree/HarperCollins
Filed under: Uncategorized
