Debby Waldman is the author of a number of children's books including A Sack Full of FeathersMiriam’s Secret and has written for publications including People, Publishers Weekly, Sports Illustrated and Sports Illustrated for Kids. An educator, she has taught writing and journalism at Cornell University, Ithaca College, St. Lawrence University and Grant MacEwan University. Since 2011 she has been a writing advisor at the Academic Success Centre at the University of Alberta. She lives in Edmonton.

"A wonderful, tantalizing and tender tale about how, despite our differences, we all long for the same things: friendship, connection and a sense of purpose." - Monique Polak, award-winning author of What World Is Left

"An endearing story about the power of acceptance." - Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, award-winning author of Making Bombs for Hitler

"In this heart-warming novel about a secret friendship, Debby Waldman tells a story bound up in America's history of depression-era hobos. As Miriam grapples with keeping her friend's secret or doing the right thing, Waldman adeptly brings history alive, painting an engaging portrait of minorities in a small town and showing that cultural differences can bring people together." - Leanne Lieberman, author of The Most Dangerous Thing

"A warmhearted holiday tale successfully portrays an underrepresented corner of American Judaism." - Kirkus Review

"All will enjoy this gentle novel, which furthers goodwill and understanding. Highly Recommended. " - CM Magazine

"Filled to the brim with literary devices like foreshadowing, imagery, and similes, this title will be a welcome addition to any elementary school teacher's language arts block…It also lends itself to a discussion of diversity and tolerance. Recommended" - School Library Connection

"Waldman's gentle story speaks to the difficulties of being an ethnic or religious minority, as well as the travails of being underemployed during the Great Depression." - Booklist

"The book is a nice read that includes a sort of comparison of lifestyles: rural versus urban, Northern United States versus Southern United States, and immigrant verses native-born. It also gives readers a nice peek into Jewish culture and traditions, from the Yiddish monikers for grandma and grandpa to the holidays of Purim and Passover to foods like Hamantaschen. The story provides the opportunity to teach children about secrets: knowing when it's ok to keep a secret and knowing when they need to tell a trusted adult." - Resource Links

"Waldman's warm, loving depiction of a Russian Jewish family during the Depression is a cozy read that will be treasured by young readers, many of whom will relate to the fish-out-of-water element of her story." - IndiePicks Magazine

"Miriam's Secret is a fast-paced story that hooks the reader right from the start. It's the perfect friendship tale for ages 8 to 12." - Jewish Book Council