It’s the Great Depression. Eleven-year-old Miriam has lived her whole life in Brooklyn. Visiting Bubbe and Zeyde’s farm should seem like a big adventure. But Miriam’s parents won’t be joining her until after Passover. Whatever will she do on the boring farm until then?
During the long days that slowly trudge by, Miriam learns how to get eggs from the chickens, helps Bubbe make hamantaschen, and makes friends with the hired hands, many of whom arrive on the freight trains that thunder by each day.
One day, as Miriam plays with the barn kittens, she discovers Cissy, the sister of one of the hired hands, hiding in the barn. No one is supposed to know she’s there. But Miriam is delighted to have someone her own age to talk to. She brings Cissy food and the girls keep each other company. But keeping this secret proves to be a difficult task, and Miriam is soon forced to choose between her new friendship and doing the right thing.
Miriam’s Secret is a fast-paced story that hooks the reader right from the start. It’s the perfect friendship tale for girls ages 8 to 12.
Marcia Berneger is a retired teacher who lives with her husband and three crazy dogs. She taught both first and second grade, as well as special education. She currently teaches Torah school, in addition to her volunteer work in classrooms, libraries, and with various fundraisers. She lives in San Diego.
