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WNDMG Author Interview with Reem Faruqi on her book Zarina Divided

By on April 9, 2025   /   Articles  
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Author Interview – Reem Faruqi

I’m so excited to be able to introduce you to author Reem Faruqi today. Reem is an incredible novel in verse author, and I adore every single one of her books! Her newest title is Zarina Divided (HarperCollins), which launches on May 20, 2025.

I absolutely love the description of this book. It sounds so compelling, with much needed themes for our divided world, and the important historical story of Partition, which is so relevant to read and learn about, especially now.

I cannot wait to dive in!

I encourage everyone to buy a copy for themselves and their classrooms and libraries.

About Zarina Divided:

Description taken from online:

From the award-winning author of Unsettled, Reem Faruqi, comes a stirring coming-of-age story about a Muslim girl who, during the Partition of India, must learn to cope with loss, guilt, and change in order to grow. Perfect for fans of Amil and the After and The Partition Project and inspired by real-life events.

“A simultaneously gentle and gripping story led by a strong-willed protagonist eager to advocate for herself in a changing world.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

You can notice differences

if you look really close,

which lately everyone

seems to be doing.

Zarina loves her life in Poona, India. She spends her days happily hanging out with her best friends, Geeta and Jahana, and playing with her three brothers. However, Zarina and her family are given unsettling news: Muslims and Hindus are to separate by religion. Hindus are expected to stay in India, while Muslims are expected to move to a new land, Pakistan.

Zarina is heartbroken at having to move away from all she knows and loves, and after the frightening journey to Pakistan, she feels unsure that the unfamiliar country will ever feel like home. When an accident happens that leaves Zarina grappling with extreme guilt, she decides it’s best to attend boarding school far away, much to the protest of her mom. Will a fresh start at a new school give Zarina the chance to thrive in Pakistan, or will the divisions within herself and her family continue to widen?

From award-winning author Reem Faruqi comes a heartening coming-of-age story, inspired by her grandmother’s life, that reminds us that through overwhelming change can come the most beautiful growth.

Interview with Reem:

I loved getting to talk to Reem about her new book and I think you will enjoy meeting her and Zarina as well.

Thank you so much for having me Shifa! I love your books!

SSS: What a wonderful description. I was interested right away! What is the inspiration behind Zarina Divided?

RF: I’m so glad the description got your attention! The inspiration behind Zarina Divided is … my grandmother Zarina! 

 

 

She would tell us stories about her experiences of going to a British boarding school in Murree, the mountains of Pakistan, and the friendships she made there. I was intrigued by her journey and how she advocated for herself to go, especially when her mother did not want her to leave, after they had finally made it to Karachi, Pakistan from Poona, India. 

I also really wanted to know more about my grandmother’s Partition journey to Pakistan from India. She recalls how in Poona, India, the weather was cooler and beautiful and how her house was spacious compared to her new house in Karachi where everything felt hot, crowded, and dusty. I loved how she described her garden in Poona with dahlias the size of dinner plates. It sounded so lush and scenic. If you meet my grandmother, you would see that she loves gardens and flowers. I think the move made her really miss her peaceful home and the greenery that she was used to. My grandmother’s decision to leave her new home to go to boarding school impacted her: her mother didn’t talk to her for a year! To this day, my grandmother loves the mountains, long walks in fresh air, and has soft British undertones in her voice when she speaks. 

With all that said, the Partition was bloody. Many lives were lost. It was the largest mass migration of the twentieth century. Over the course of a year, an estimated fifteen million people crossed borders that were drawn up in a rush by the British Empire. A lot of bitterness remains. My grandmother remembered her time in Poona saying that they were used to serving the British, to being their “good little servants.” I made sure to weave that line into the story.

I hope that ZARINA DIVIDED inspires you and that we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past. By studying and reflecting on our history, we should aim to do better in the future.

SSS: As a mom of three girls, I love stories about girls and especially strong girls. How is Zarina as a character? Is she sassy and spunky, or shy and introverted? How does her personality affect the story, and the very real hardships she goes through?

RF: Great question and I can relate to having girls! Zarina is strong-willed and has a temper that her father counsels her on by telling her, “When you are in control of your emotions, you are in control of yourself.”  She veers more to the extroverted side and has two best friends Jahana and Geeta that she loves so much that they call themselves sisters. However, once Partition tensions strike, their friendships are fractured. As a result, after her agonizing move, Zarina becomes more introverted and less confident. Once she goes to a British boarding school, her confidence and spunk re-returns. She doesn’t take no for an answer! She also makes new friends.

Here’s an excerpt below of her father Abajan counseling Zarina on her anger.

SSS: As a Syrian-American, I think often about the themes of immigration and diverse stories. How does the move Zarina makes from India to Pakistan impact her life? How does she find belonging and hope in her new home?

Rf: Yes, as a Pakistani American immigrant, I think about these themes often too. It’s part of who we are. I pray all is well with your family and Syria. 

Moving majorly impacted Zarina’s life. Before moving, she felt at peace in her home and thrived at school. Once she moved she lost her friends and her nanny Khushboo. I had a nanny that I was very attached to (we are still in touch today!), but I remember the feeling of leaving loved ones behind is hard. Now, imagine leaving loved ones in a rush and not properly saying goodbye. That is quite traumatic!

When Zarina does make the journey to Pakistan, she becomes quiet at school and is not really present. Her teacher writes on her progress report failure to thrive. However, once she goes to  boarding school, in the fresh mountain air of Murree, she finds the greenery she longs for and new friends. She finally has space to think. Spoiler alert: she thrives!

Zarina does however feel a lot of guilt for leaving her mother behind, especially when her mother has an accident that she feels responsible for.  But with the help of her brother Wahab and her nanny Khusbhoo’s advice, she begins to feel less guilt. When she does return back  home to her family in Karachi, her reunion is better than she could have imagined. She realizes home isn’t just a house: home is her family and loved ones.

SSS: The subject of Partition is a relatively new one in MG, but one that is so important. Can you tell us more?

RF: 

Yes! I’ll be honest: I wasn’t always intrigued by the Partition. As a  young girl, we were told stories of how our grandmothers’ left, but I didn’t dwell too much on it. It just felt like a faraway old story. Once I grew older and realized how dangerous the journeys were and how my grandmothers thrived, I was impressed and wanted to know more. I wanted to write about this huge event that took place in their lives.

I remember watching Ms. Marvel and seeing the Partition train scene of so many people leaving in a hurry and sitting on top of the trains. My heart and eyes hurt to see such scenery. I also remember reading award-winning author Shirin Shamsi’s picture book THE MOON TO DEHRADUN and getting chills. It was told so simply yet beautifully depicted the sorrow a little girl faced from leaving her home in a rush and the sense of belonging she eventually feels at the end. I was in awe of how Shirin told such a  heartbreaking story in a few words. When I write in verse, I strive to do the same.

 If you want more partition stories, there are more beautiful books: THE NIGHT DIARIES and AMIL AND THE AFTER by Veera Hiranandani, THE PARTITION PROJECT by Saadia Faruqi, LION OF THE SKY by Ritu Hemnani, and one I haven’t read yet but just discovered, THE LINE THEY DREW THROUGH US by Hiba Noor Khan that just released.  I really want to read that one!

SSS: This story was inspired by real life events! Was it hard doing research and asking family members about this (what must have been) traumatic time?

RF: Yes!There are many stories in this book that are inspired by real life events. Both my grandmothers made the move from India to Pakistan. My paternal grandmother had passed away, but I am grateful my paternal uncle wrote down her experiences in a family album that I relied heavily on. I blended her experiences with my maternal grandmother’s Zarina experiences. For example, my paternal grandmother recalled the experiences on the train and the mobs that attacked as well as the process of being allotted a new house. Everything was chaotic as people took over each other’s houses. I described it in my book through Zarina’s eyes as a game of musical chairs: “Now, because India is splitting in two / we are packing bags, / scrambling  around the same way./ Muslims swapping places with Hindus, / Hindus swapping places with Muslims,/ and we don’t even know if there are chairs./ Angry voices take the place of music.” 

My grandmother Zarina remembered taking a ship and all she remembered of that journey was the name of the ship The Shirala.  I dove into research and found that the ship journeys were quite traumatic: there was a lot of seasickness, a lack of lights, and severe overcrowding on board. I see why she blocked it out! Researching heavy stories that actually took place was hard, but I’m so grateful the partition survivors had the courage to share their stories.

The partition happened in 1947, but if you want more information, the 1947 Partition Archives is a great resource and is trying to collect as many stories from survivors.

 I hope that Zarina’s story can shed some more light on the partition told from a Muslim girl’s perspective. Also, this is a work of historical fiction! My grandmother inspired many of the stories in this book. With that being said, as you know, a novel has to have a beginning, middle, and end. It has to have a plot and tension, so I took the liberty to fictionalize.

Link to order here.

Writing Process

SSS: When did you start writing the story and was the process a long one?

RF: So I was actually pregnant with my baby so I didn’t just have an editorial deadline, I also had a human deadline! I managed to complete the novel, edit it with critique partners, and turn it in within that 9 month window. I wrote the novel in 2023 and am glad that it is becoming a real book next month!

SSS: How is the process of writing a historical novel in verse different from contemporary?

RF: It’s SO different and much more time consuming. I was constantly fact checking and trying to make sure I had the environment and voice down. One can get easily lost in the research component, so I had to remind myself to keep writing as I researched. I had tons of tabs open in my google search. I also was exchanging a flurry of voice memos with my grandmother to make sure I had her stories right. I also found a Facebook group of my grandmother’s boarding school St. Denys’ so it was fun to show her pictures of her school and to look up old experiences. Sharing that with my grandmother felt special. 

SSS: Any advice for fellow middle-grade authors? 

RF: Publishing is a hard place to be. I feel like a duck trying to stay afloat in the publishing industry. It may look easy to see someone’s names with books attached to it but behind the scenes, I am editing, promoting, working, and most of all trying to write in these trying times. Publishing also seems extra slow these days, but I feel we all have important stories to tell. Giving up is so much easier, (don’t we all have so many other things we could be focusing on?!) but we really just need that one editorial yes! (This is advice I need to tell myself too !) 

Bonus!

SSS: Bonus question! Is there anything I haven’t asked that you’d like to share with us?

RF:

Where can I find you these days?

I’m not on social media or Instagram much these days, and I enjoy the quieter nature of Substack and the interactions between writers. I started a Substack here. I was recently interviewed by Heidi Fiedler for a motherhood interview and I wanted to share it, incase it helps any other authors who are balancing parenting young children and trying to write. I will always have my blog and I plan to feature Shehzil Malik, the illustrator of ZARINA DIVIDED, in a detailed interview very soon!

SSS: What else can we look forward to from you?

RF: As of right now, that’s all I have in the works for what’s next, but rest assured I am working behind the scenes! I have another novel in verse about a field hockey playing character who deals with high emotional stakes both on and off the field. I also have written a few lyrical picture book manuscripts and an adult book composed of micro memoir and bits of verse. I am hoping those stories become real books soon! Having stories on submission is both an exhilarating and terrifying time as those rejections can still sting. But I hope and pray to read and write many beautiful novels in verse soon.

Side note, my mother said if I have no more books I could change my career and go into something more lucrative like plumbing LOL! I told her, I’d keep on writing.

Shifa,  I can’t wait to hug your book Sisters Alone! I read it as a document, and it was STUNNING! Thank you so much for having me!

Photocredit : Tasnia Malek

About Reem Faruqi:

 Reem Faruqi  is the award-winning children’s book author of “Lailah’s Lunchbox,” a book based on her own experiences as a young Muslim girl immigrating to the United States. She’s also the author of “Amira’s Picture Day,” “I Can Help,” “Milloo’s Mind,” “Anisa’s International Day,” and four middle grade novels in verse, “Unsettled,” “Golden Girl,” “Call Me Adnan,” and “Zarina Divided” many of which received starred reviews. After surviving Atlanta traffic and the school drop off, Reem spends her days trying to write, but instead gets distracted easily by her camera and buttery sunlight. Reem Faruqi lives in Atlanta with her husband and four daughters. You can find her at www.ReemFaruqi.comor on Instagram or Substack.

Website: www.ReemFaruqi.com

INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/ReemFaruqi

Substack: https://reemfaruqi.substack.com/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ReemFaruqi

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STEM Tuesday– Naturalists– In the Classroom

By on April 8, 2025   /   Earth Day, STEM Tuesday  

 

Instead of just reading about ecosystems or food chains in a textbook, naturalists are out in the world seeing it happen —watching ants build a colony, seeing mushrooms grow after rain, or noticing how birds behave at different times of day. These books explore naturalists, what they do, and how you can be a naturalist too. They make a great starting point for nature explorations, classroom discussions, and activities!

 

I Begin with Spring: The Life and Seasons of Henry David Thoreau 

by Julie Dunlap and Megan Elizabeth Baratta

Henry Thoreau collected leaves and arrowheads from a young age. He could tell when skunk cabbage was blooming by smelling the air. As an adult, he kept copious notes about nature, sending samples and observations to scientists. Observant readers will enjoy the timeline that runs along the bottom of the pages. Back matter dives into phenology (botanical signs of the seasons) and how Thoreau’s work has helped modern scientists understand climate change.

 

Classroom Activity – Nature Journaling

Try your hand at being a naturalist like Henry David Thoreau! Have students visit a local park, backyard, garden, or schoolyard. Each student should take a notebook, pencils, colored pencils, and a magnifying glass. Have each student explore the area for plants, insects, animals, weather, or sounds. What did they observe? Students should draw or describe what they observed in their nature journal. They can also take notes and write down any questions they might want to research later. Back in the classroom, students can share their observations with classmates.

 

Wildheart: the Daring Adventures of John Muir

by Julie Bertagna

Beginning with boyhood in Scotland and continuing with his adult life in the US, this book presents John Muir’s life in graphic novel format. Muir, more famous as the founder of the Sierra Club, was a careful observer of nature. His study of glaciers in Alaska informed his understanding of Yosemite.

 

Darwin’s Rival: Alfred Russel Wallace and the Search for Evolution

by Christiane Dorion

This is an adventure story – a tale of exploration, field research, shipwrecks, and a friendship between two naturalists that evolved over time. Both Wallace and Darwin wrote about natural selection and the evolution of new species. But instead of competing against each other for credit, both tried hard to treat each other fairly – to the benefit of all. Filled with maps and spreads showing diversity of beetles, butterflies, and birds.

 

Classroom Activity – Naturalist Spotlight

Naturalists such as John Muir, Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace, and others have made significant contributions to our understanding of nature and the environment. Divide students into small groups and have each group pick a naturalist to research. What type of work did they do? What did they study? What contributions did they make to our understanding of nature? What qualities does their subject share with other naturalists? Have students prepare a poster, PowerPoint presentation, or short skit to present what they have learned to the class.

 Classroom Activity – Animal Tracking

Naturalists learn how to spot the signs of animal activity in nature. They find tracks, feathers, nests, and scat that reveal animal activity. Now it’s time for students to put on their nature detective hats and track animal activity. First, students should research and study images of animal tracks, scat, feathers, nests and other signs of local wildlife. Next, students can go on a walk to search for signs of animal activity. Have them take notes and sketch what they find in a nature journal. What evidence and signs of animal activity did they find? What information does it give them about the animals in their area? Have students share their findings with the class.

 

The Observologist: A Handbook for Mounting Very Small Scientific Expeditions

by Giselle Clarkson

This book presents four potential sites for conducting naturalist expeditions, along with the sorts of things one might observe while there. They are easily accessible to kids of all ages and include a damp corner (perfect site for discovering more about centipedes and fungi), pavement (great habitat for ants and worms) and weedy patches.

 

Classroom Activity – Build a Bug House

What type of habitats do insects prefer? In this activity, students can try their hand at building an insect habitat, a bug house! Have students collect natural items to use as building materials, such as sticks, bark, leaves, and pinecones. Students can use these building materials to design and build a small structure that provides shelter for insects. Place the structures outside and observe over several weeks. Students can write and sketch their observations in their nature journals. What insects does the bug house attract? Why are they important?

 

*************************************
Carla Mooney loves to explore the world around us and discover the details about how it works. An award-winning author of numerous nonfiction science books for kids and teens, she hopes to spark a healthy curiosity and love of science in today’s young people. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, three kids, and dog. Find her at http://www.carlamooney.com, on Facebook @carlamooneyauthor, or on X @carlawrites.

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Interview with Author Naomi Milliner

By on April 7, 2025   /   Articles  

Today, it is my pleasure to welcome Naomi Milliner to the Mixed-Up Files! I first got to know Naomi after reading her funny and deeply touching 2019 debut, Super Jake & The King of Chaos. She then went on to co-edit and contribute to the MG anthology On All Other Nights, a collection of short stories centered on the Jewish holiday of Passover. Her sophomore MG, The Trouble with Secrets, a heartfelt story of a tight-knit Jewish family impacted by secrets and tragedy, has been lauded by Kirkus as “A touching, intimate exploration of universal themes of trust, conformity, and the impact of family dynamics,” and by author Jeff Zentner as “A moving, gorgeous, and life-affirming exploration of grief, faith and how we can build ourselves a joyous life after everything seems to have fallen to pieces.” The book is out tomorrow, April 8, from Quill Tree Books.

The Trouble with Secrets: A Summary

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.

MR: Welcome to the Mixed-Up Files, Naomi. I’m so happy to have you here!

NM: Thanks so much, Melissa! There is no place I’d rather be. 🙂

Inspired Choices

MR: First, I have to tell you how much I enjoyed The Trouble with Secrets. It was incredibly touching, warm, and highly relatable. Can you tell us a bit about the novel? What inspired you to write it?

NM: Thank you! Secrets is a before-and-after story: before there are secrets; before there are consequences of those secrets; and after everything changes as a result. In fact, before and after play such a pivotal part that the book is divided into two sections: Part One (Before) and Part Two (Now). Although I do sprinkle glimpses of Now throughout Before, to warn readers that Something Bad Is Coming!

As far as the original inspiration… it was a very minor subplot in a TV show I loved back in the day (whose name shall remain a secret!). Although the storyline involved a pair of teenage siblings, they actually never had a single scene together!

Character Study

MR: Becky Myerson, the 12-year-old protagonist, is a flawed but incredibly likeable character. She may not always do the right thing, but the reader roots for her nonetheless. What’s the secret to creating believable and nuanced characters, warts and all?

NM: I think fictional characters, like the rest of us, have to be flawed to be believable. And, so long as their flaws are relatable and understandable – maybe even justifiable (lying to protect a friend or sibling; doing something bad for a good reason) – a character can remain sympathetic.

The Magic Flute

MR: Another important aspect of Becky’s character is her love for music (she plays the flute). Are you a flautist, Naomi? If not, what kind of research did you do to make Becky’s love for the flute so realistic?

NM: I am not a flautist, but I did piano for ten years when I was much younger. My husband and younger son, however, do play the flute, and my older son plays trumpet and a few other instruments – and is a music teacher. Both of my sons were in All-County, and my older one was in All-State as well as All-County Jazz, so I had plenty of inspiration!

Secrets: A Slippery Slope

MR: Secret keeping is an important, overarching theme in this book. What were you trying to say about secrets, and the burden of keeping them?

NM: Keeping secrets can be a slippery slope! They can be fun and exciting, but also have the potential to cause harm – sometimes minor, sometimes major. They can bring people closer together or tear them apart. In Becky’s case, she suffers double the guilt by keeping two secrets, her own and her sister Sara’s; on the other hand, she would feel just as guilty if she betrayed her sister’s confidence. Keeping her own secret is hard enough; keeping her sister’s proves to be even more difficult. There’s really no way she can win.

Exploration of Grief

MR: Another important theme in your book is grief, and how people grieve in such different ways. You explored this theme in Super Jake & the King of Chaos, too. Could you speak more to this?

NM: Thank you for asking. You have such a good memory! I did explore that theme in Super Jake, as well as “Chocolate Tears,” the short story I wrote for On All Other Nights. Apparently, I’m still not done exploring it!

As painful as grief is, we all experience it at one age or another: there is no avoiding it. And there may be no getting over it. But there is getting through it. When I hear that my stories have helped readers (both children and adults) cope with their own losses, it means everything.

Jewish Joy

MR: The Trouble with Secrets is a book that oozes Jewish joy: Becky comes from an observant Jewish family, and her dad is a rabbi. Your debut novel, Super Jake, also features Jewish themes, and the MG anthology you co-edited and contributed to, On All Other Nights, celebrates the Jewish holiday of Passover. Can you tell us why it’s important for you to feature Jewish characters and themes in your books?

NM: The simple answer is, “Write what you know.” I was raised in a very religious family (my grandfather and mother were both Hebrew school teachers and principals; my brother is a rabbi), and Jewish holidays like Passover and Hanukkah were, and are, part of what makes me, me. Some of my fondest childhood memories are tied to Jewish holidays and events, and I did my best to share them with my own children, from participating in our synagogue’s musical services to blowing the shofar on the High Holidays. I am proud to share my Jewish heritage through my books and characters, and hope that all readers can relate in some way.

Path to Publication

MR: Can you tell MUF readers about your path to publication? Was it smooth sailing, choppy seas, or a combination of both?

NM: How long is this interview? 🙂 I guess, in the end, it was a combination. My debut novel took 16 years from first draft to publication (not that I counted)! But the anthology came together quickly (probably thanks to my incredible friends and coeditors, Chris Baron & Joshua S. Levy), and Secrets was acquired just a few weeks later. However… the current version of Secrets is not the original, which I had first written, several years ago, as a YA novel.

The Caffeinated Writer

MR: What does your writing routine look like? Do you have any particular writing habits or rituals?

NM: Nothing gets done before I am fully caffeinated. And fed. And, preferably, after a few word games on my phone… what was the question? 🙂 I am not one of those writers who are disciplined enough to get up at the crack of dawn and write for three hours straight. But, somehow, I always make my deadlines – usually ahead of schedule. And when I’m excited about what I’m writing, I can be found happily scribbling away (yes, I write the first draft in longhand) late into the night, or even sending myself emails on my phone when I come up with a bit of dialogue or a scene I don’t want to forget.

MR: What are you working on now, Naomi? Care to share?

NM: Sure! Thanks for asking. My next book is 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. I’m also revising another mg book about a girl who is an unreliable narrator, which is proving to be a fun challenge!

Magnificent Mah Jongg!

MR: And finally, rumor has it that you’re an avid mah jongg player. (Okay, it’s more than a rumor. I know you love the game as much as I do! 🙂 ) How did you first get interested in mah jongg, and why does it appeal to you?

NM: I was always curious and intrigued by the tiles! I grew up loving board games and card games, but this was something new. My favorite thing is that there is a new card every year, and each card presents endless combinations, so it never gets old or predictable. I only wish my mom had been around when I finally learned how to play. She would have loved it – and been amazing at it. We would have had a lot of fun.

 Lightning Round!

Yellow graphic lightning bolt

MR: No MUF interview is complete without a lightning round, so…

Preferred writing snack? Chocolate. Period.

Coffee or tea? Coffee in the morning; tea in the afternoon.

Cat or dog? This one is tricky. We have a (very fuzzy, sweet and adorable) cat, but I really do love dogs… But what I really want is a quokka! 🙂

Zombie apocalypse: Yea or nay? Nay.

Superpower? Can it be losing weight while still eating whatever, and whenever, I want?

Greatest indulgence? See preferred writing snack above. 🙂 Also books, whether by the armload from local libraries and bookstores, or a filled-to-the-brim virtual cart.

Favorite place on earth? Highlights. No question. I have formed wonderful and lasting friendships (see Chris Baron and Joshua S. Levy above) at this magical place. It is bursting with talented, creative writers and illustrators, and it’s impossible to leave feeling uninspired (or hungry).

If you were stranded on a desert island with only three things, what would they be?

My 1900-page Riverside Shakespeare (and reading glasses!); Hermione Granger’s fabulous expandable bag (filled with essentials like sunscreen, conditioner, non-perishable foods, and emergency flares); and either Tom Hanks – he knows a thing or two about being a castaway! – or Tom Hiddleston, because he would make excellent use out of the Shakespeare tome… and is tall enough to get plenty of coconuts down from the tree!

MR: Thank you for chatting with us, Naomi—and congratulations on the upcoming publication of The Trouble with Secrets. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I know MUF readers will, too!

NM: Thank you, Melissa!

Bio:

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 Nights, 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 Olney, Maryland, with her family, too many books to count, and one very fuzzy cat. Learn more about Naomi at https://naomimilliner.wordpress.com.

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