She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from Woodward High School in 1969.

Ackerman's first children's book was published in 1982. She has since published over twenty-five books. Her books have won many awards including Parents' Choice, ABA Pick of the List, ALA Notable Books, Children's Book Council/NCSS Notable Books in the Field of Social Studies, New York Library Best List, Horn Book's Best, and School Library Journal Best Books. Her picture-book Song and Dance Man, illustrated by Stephen Gammell, won the 1989 Caldecott Medal.

Caldecott Medal, 1989, for the book Song and Dance Man, illustrated by Stephen Gammell, Knopf, 1988

Picture Books

• Flannery Row New York: Atlantic Monthly (1986)
• Song & Dance Man (1988)
• Theo's Vineyard (1989)
• Araminta's Paint Box, illustrated by Betsy Lewin. (1990)
• The Banshee illustrated by David Ray. New York: Philomel (1990)
• Just Like Max illustrated by George Schmidt. New York: Knopf (1990)
• The Tin Heart (1990)
• Moveable Mabeline (1990)
• When Mama Retires New York: Knopf (1992)
• I Know A Place, illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray. New York: Houghton Mifflin (1992)
• This Old House New York: Atheneum (1992)
• By the Dawn's Early Light, illustrated by Catherine Stock (1994)
• The Sleeping Porchillustrated by Elizabeth Sayles. New York: Morrow (1995)
• Bingleman's Midway, illustrated by Barry Moser. Honesdale: Boyds Mills Press (1995)
• In the Park With Dad: A Story for Kids Whose Parents Don't Live Together illustrated by Linda Crockett-Blassingame. Boston: Pauline Books and Media (1996)
• Walking With Clara Belle illustrated by Debbie Mason. Boston: Pauline Books and Media (1996)
• Bean's Big Day (2004)

Fiction

• The Leaves in October (1991)
• The Broken Boy New York: Philomel (1991)
• The Night Crossing (1994)