Posts Tagged New Releases

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.

Back to Top

Author Spotlight: Tricia Springstubb + a GIVEAWAY

By on April 4, 2025   /   Author Interviews  

Today, I’m excited to shine the Author Spotlight on children’s author, Tricia Springstubb! Tricia’s latest MG novel, How to tell a True Story, was praised by Kirkus as “A sincere and humane narrative that probes human complexity.” It released April 1 from Margaret Ferguson Books and is a 2025 Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Learn more and connect with Tricia at https://www.triciaspringstubb.com/

Interview with Tricia

Welcome, Tricia! Thank you so much for being a guest on the Mixed-up Files! 
I absolutely loved How to Tell a True Story. It’s such an impactful book that will be sure to spark many important conversations about honesty, ethics, and whether it’s ever okay to lie to protect those you love. Can you tell me a little about the inspiration behind it?
I started to think about this book years ago when I attended a school assembly where a student whose house had been destroyed by fire was presented with a collection of brand new books. It was a lovely, generous gift, such a heart-tugging moment, and of course the child said thank you. Afterwards, though, I found myself wondering: what if she didn’t really want all those books? What if she secretly wished she’d been given toys or games instead, but she had to act grateful?

Mind you–I had no reason to believe that was the case! But a writer’s brain is a devious place. I began thinking about how complicated the acts of giving and receiving are. How kindness is always well-intentioned, but how, often, we expect something in return. I started making notes for a story about a girl whose community comes together to help her and her family after a fire, and all the complications that could arise from that.

About How to tell a True Story

You do such a great job maintaining an element of mystery in the story about what exactly happened the night of the fire. Was it difficult to craft this novel? What was your biggest challenge in writing it?
I love to read mysteries but have always failed miserably when I tried to write one. (I’m also really bad at telling jokes too–I always manage to give away the punch line!) How To Tell a True Story was different, because though it revolves around a dark secret, it’s a book that asks as many questions as it answers. Is the truth black and white? What makes a hero? If kindness is a gift, can we change our minds and take it back? How does social media affect the way we see and present ourselves?

It was hard to keep the story taut and suspenseful while making room for all these questions. Also, research is never my favorite part of writing, but to describe the fire, the burn treatments, and the legal aftermath, I had to do a lot of reading and interviews. I’m so grateful those details ring true.

You describe the experience of surviving a devastating event so authentically. It is such a difficult topic, and you handled it with grace, care, and sensitivity. I’m always interested in hearing how authors make tough topics accessible to young readers and would love to hear your thoughts on this.
I’m a ridiculously hopeful person—probably both my biggest strength and weakness. Also probably why I write for young readers. No matter how deep their troubles, most kids stay alive to possibility. Their friends, their crushes, their dreams of what they might do and who they might be—all that beckons to them. I love that! I try to honor it in my stories.

Characters

Along with Amber, I enjoyed your other characters a lot too. I thought Amber’s relationships with her peers were so real and relatable. Do you have a favorite secondary character? Who and why?
I love Amber’s friends!  Please don’t make me choose among them!  I will say that my editor found Mariah unlikeable and pushed me to make her nicer, but I like her exactly the way she is. And of course I love Clancy, Amber’s goofy sister. All my main characters seem to have little comic sidekicks–in my last book, Looking for True, it was Spider and Sophie, who adore potty jokes.

Takeaways

What do you hope readers take away from this story?
I hope they’ll have a great reading experience, meaning they won’t want to put the book down! Beyond that, I hope they’ll think about the questions I mention above, and about the notion of kindness. Kids are constantly urged to Be Kind and Choose Kind. Of course in the best of all worlds, humankind is both human and kind! But as Amber discovers, many things are easier to say than to act on. Most of us can be kind to people we feel sorry for, but it’s hard–very hard–to be kind to people we don’t like, to people we feel have betrayed us. I hope readers will think about what Max, Amber’s classmate (and nemesis), says, “If only some people deserve kindness, then it’s just a reward.”

Writing Process

Will you tell us a little about your writing process? Are you a plotter or pantser? Where/when do you prefer to write?
To be honest, Sydney, I always dread this question! My process is so messy, I’m not sure it even deserves the word. Mostly, I start with a situation, a setting or a character that intrigues me, then write my way into the story, following where it beckons. Obviously, I do a LOT of revision, but I really enjoy going back over drafts and finding the clues I’ve left myself. One of my favorite writing quotes is from Flannery O’Connor:  “Like the old lady, I don’t know so well what I think until I see what I say; then I have to say it again.”

Influences

What are some current books that have influenced you as a kidlit writer?
I read everything Kate DiCamillo writes. She is so deft–a great lesson for a blabbermouth-writer like me–and I love her dark sense of humor. When The Horn Book said Looking for True is “Because of Winn-Dixie for a new generation”, I about died.
Anne Tyler doesn’t write for kids, but she’s been a hero of mine for decades. Her quirky characters are so specific yet universal. Also, she just published her 25th novel at the age of 83–I’d love to follow in those footsteps.

Advice

What is your advice for aspiring writers?
As anyone reading this probably already knows, the writing life can be hard. I recently got a rejection that really stung!  But I don’t know anything better to do with my one wild and precious life than to keep trying to see through other eyes and walk in other shoes–in other words, tell stories. Read, observe, question, open your heart!

What’s Next

Can you give us some insights into what you’ll be working on next?
I have a fantasy novel out on submission. This is a HUGE departure for me, so who knows what will become of it. I’m also working on a new project. Like How to Tell a True Story, it falls into the category of Young Teen Lit, that space between true middle grade and true young adult. So far, all I know is it centers on A Big, Complicated Crush.

And for the lightning round:

Coffee or tea? Coffee! More coffee!
Sunrise or sunset? Sunset (only because I like to sleep in)
Favorite dessert: I eat ice cream every single day.
Superpower: I crave the superpower that would let me infiltrate the hearts and minds of those in power right now.
Favorite music: I’m bad at favorites questions, but today I’ll go with Motown!
Favorite book from childhood: Again, so bad at favorites, but I’ll pick Little Women. I’ll never forget my shock and grief when Beth died—my first experience of how enormously powerful a book can be.
Thanks again, Tricia! It was so much fun to learn about you, your writing journey, and your amazing novel! Learn more about Tricia on her website and follow her on Instagram.

For a chance to win a signed copy of How to Tell a True Story, comment on the blog!  (Giveaway ends April 11, 2025 MIDNIGHT EST.) U.S. only, please. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Top

Interview with Author Cindy Jenson-Elliot: The Doomsday Detectives

By on March 14, 2025   /   Author Interviews, Nonfiction  
The Doomsday Detectives book

I always love bringing attention to new nonfiction books for kids and this is a GOOD one! I’m delighted to welcome author Cindy Jens0n-Elliott to the Mixed-Up Files Blog today.

Cindy Jensen-Elliott

 

She will be talking about her new book, The Doomsday Detectives

The Doomsday Detectives book

JLG Gold Standard

 

Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection 2025

 

 

* “Packed with explanations of scientific terminology and methods of operation, this detailed and compelling book is a superb guide for curious STEM-focused readers. An outstanding resource that depicts the winding and complex journey of scientific exploration.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* “This fascinating, informative volume highlights not only the people at the center of the discovery but the scientific processes by which they came to their conclusions….Perfect for kids who want to go all-in on dinosaurs.” — Booklist, starred review

 

 

 

 

JS: Welcome to the blog. I really loved this book. Let’s start with the first question: What drew you to writing about these two scientists?

Cindy J-E:   In summer 2017, I was driving to my first day at a new full-time teaching job when my agent, Stefanie Sanchez von Borstel, called to give me some updates: a rejection of a manuscript I had recently sent to her, and an opportunity. Cheryl Klein, an editor at Lee and Low Books, was seeking a picture book family biography of Walter and Luis Alvarez, the two scientists behind the discovery of evidence that an asteroid was responsible for the Cretaceous extinction. While I was intrigued – I LOVED my college geology classes and I LOVED teaching science — I was also feeling really overwhelmed. I was making a big career switch from holding five simultaneous but flexible low-paying part-time jobs in high-end communities, to holding one full-time teaching job in a low-income community. I was also switching from teaching grades 1 – 8 science and outdoor education to teaching middle school English to three different grades. As an introvert, full-time teaching has always been challenging for my psyche, especially when my kids were young. So I was especially nervous about the return to the classroom. However, writing, even in my most successful years writing for educational test companies, magazines, newspapers and publishers, has never been enough to pay the bills. But I could feel a spark of curiosity igniting.

I told Stefanie I would read Walter Alvarez’s book, T-Rex and the Crater of Doom, and see if I wanted to write a picture book biography. How long could that take, right? Over the next few months, I read Alvarez’s book before bed and on weekends, and contemplated how I might tackle a biography. By Christmas, I realized that this would have to be much more than a picture book biography. This story, involving everything in science from Paleontology and Earth Science to Astrophysics, was a science mystery much more complex than a simple biography suggested. For children to understand how scientists solved the mystery of the Cretaceous extinction, they would need to know the science that led to the discovery. I began working on a book proposal for a longer middle grade nonfiction book, and we submitted it to Cheryl in early 2018.

 

JS: How did you decide to turn this book from a “normal” biography focusing on the scientists, to a journey of discovery? 

Cindy J-E: By summer, Cheryl had rejected my first proposal — it’s hard to remember why — but she offered to let me rewrite it, along with a sample chapter, if I wanted to make another attempt. I spent the summer and fall of my second year at the school researching and writing a second draft of the proposal. This time around, I structured it as a long-form science mystery, and developed a structure that included elements I knew my students would appreciate — graphic elements, expository elements, narrative family biography and a narrative of science discovery. I would start it with the discovery of dinosaurs and the idea of extinction, and proceed to the discovery of the crater. In the proposal, I included samples of each type of writing – comic script, expository science, science and biographical narrative — as well as a 20-page outline. We turned the proposal in again and waited. Six months later – a contract!

 

JS: Whose idea was it to use graphic novel-like insets to explain the more complex science? (I think this is brilliant, by the way).

Cindy J-E: Thank you! It was my idea to use graphic nonfiction to explain some of the science through graphic narrative, and it came about because by 2019, I had been segued over to teaching science in my school instead of English, possibly because, in my very traditionally-minded school (at that time) I was teaching students to write comic narratives in English class, in addition to essays. Prepping for science teaching, however, is a lot more work than prepping for English class, so I asked my school if I could teach two grades instead of three, and two types of science – 6th grade Earth Science and 8th grade Physical Science – instead of three (Life Science). At this particular school, this was considered part-time teaching – two preps instead of three – and working 7 -2 instead of 7-4. The best way to learn science, for me, is to teach it and to have to write about it. So having my writing and teaching focused on the same topics was helpful. I wrote the book I wanted my students – 98% of whom were English-language learners – to use to learn science, so graphics were a great resource for them.

 

JS: Can you give us a couple of  intriguing fun facts that you learned while writing this book? 

Cindy J-E: Instead of  intriguing facts, I will give you some amazing facts and experiences I had in researching and writing this book.

Intriguing fact #1: I hadn’t realized how recently, in the grand scheme of things, dinosaurs were discovered at all, AND long it took people to realize that extinction was even possible. When there were parts of Earth that were still uncharted by Europeans, folks thought that maybe dinosaurs were hiding out in some deep, dark pocket of Earth.

This also points to my own realization of how often new and alternative hypotheses are ridiculed, often for decades, until enough data comes in. I tried to include a variety of voices and viewpoints with respect.

Intriguing fact #2: When I was scripting the first and last comics, I had written sound effects for the voices of dinosaurs. Then I came across a study by a scientist who studies animal sounds and the acoustics of their skulls. His work suggested that T-Rex probably sounded more like a hunting horn than a roar.

 

JS: What would you like readers to get out of this book?

Cindy J-E: I would like readers to understand the great joy, responsibility and gift science is to our world. As I say at the end, “Scientists – geologists, paleontologists, physicists, and every other researcher in every field – never stop digging for data, collecting evidence and retesting results. The scientific practices of asking questions, tossing around ideas with colleagues from around the world (who often become friends), developing a hypothesis, and testing to see if it is actually true are the eternal pleasures of doing science. Science presents a never-ending opportunity to learn and grow, and to expand the knowledge of civilization. Scientists don’t work for themselves; they work for everyone – everyone on the entire planet, now and in the future – to bring the truth to light and make it accessible and available to the whole world.” (p. 186)

I want readers to understand what the scientific process really is, how it is used, and how our knowledge changes as we gather more information. Science is not static. It is growth.

JS: How would you like teachers/librarians to use this book?

Cindy J-E: I would like this book to be used by teachers who want to collaborate across the curriculum – science and the humanities – as a class book to teaching middle school Earth science curriculum. Students can identify science processes used as the mystery is solved. They can teach students to use comics to explain their ideas.

Thanks so much for being on our blog today, Cindy. If you want to learn more about The Doomsday Detectives or Cindy, please go to her website: https://cindyjensonelliott.com/

 

Back to Top