Written by Naomi Milliner
This is a wonderful story. At twelve years old Rebeccah/Becca is dealing with her Bat Mitsvah as well as school drama. Her dad/Abba is a rabbi so she feels that her speech will have to be perfect. The only person who really knows how she feels is her sister, Sara. Her brother is in college and her little brother Benji is adorable but not much help. When she asks her parents if she can try out for the All-County-Band, they tell her no, she must concentrate on her Bat Mitsvah. She is crushed. She then decides to lie to her parents and try out anyway. Now she gets to try out, but the guilt is horrible. She finds out that her sister is dating a boy/Sam who is not of the same faith and is also lying to her parents. This book is very well written, and the characters are strong. In the end, she finds out that, as her father says, “A promise is sacred, like the truth!” I think this one is my favorite books this year.
Reviewed by Christie Haslam, Librarian, Gearld Wright Elementary
Review shared in May 2025
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4-8
The Trouble with Secrets
Written by Naomi Milliner
Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
325 pages
Release Date: April 8, 2025
ISBN: 9780063311640
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
