A Secret Shared

Written by Patricia MacLachlan

Narrated by Caitlin Kelly

Newbery Medal–winning author Patricia MacLachlan paints a moving portrait of what it means to be a family, the power of love, and the importance of bringing the truth out into the light, in this beautiful and profound story about adoption.

Nora and Ben’s younger sister Birdy loves to keep secrets. She surprises her family more than once: She hides a kitten in her room. She writes a beautiful poem. One day Birdy watches her mother spit into a tube, ready to send it off to find out more about herself and where her family came from. Birdy spits into a tube, too, when no one sees her.

But when the test results come back, they are a surprise. Birdy is seemingly not related to Nora and Ben’s parents. But if she is adopted, how could that have happened without the children knowing?

Nora and Ben must learn when to keep a secret, and who to go to for help—and eventually, how to solve this secret for the entire family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
• Release date: Sep 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9780063134959

Patricia MacLachlan

Patricia MacLachlan (1938-2022) was the celebrated author of many timeless books for young readers, including Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal. She was also the author of many beloved picture books, a number of which she cowrote with her daughter, Emily.

Reviews for A Secret Shared

[jennybeast · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

What a weird little book -- the story has a good hook, the conversations and characters are so odd but so very loving, and the lyric quality of the writing are all extremely appealing. However, ultimately, it feels like there's not a lot of there there, but it's a great gentle read with Birdie as a a compelling star of her own show.

Advanced Reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.