Monday, March 25, 2013

[Book Review] DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS by C.J. Omololu

Fiction/Young Adult

Andrea reviews DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS by C.J. Omololu (Walker and Co., 2010).

(This reviewer found this young adult novel difficult to read because her mother-in-law is a hoarder like Joanna. She is glad she finished the story because she now has even more compassion for her husband who, like Lucy, was forced to lived in squalor and counted down the days until he could get out.)

Lucy has a secret. Yes, it is dirty, and unfortunately, it is not so little. Each day she leaves her house for a life of cleanliness, orderliness, and normalcy.

Lucy’s mother, Joanna, is an oncology nurse with a compassionate nature. No one would ever figure out the secret that plagues her and Lucy. Joanna is a hoarder who lives in absolute squalor. Because of her lifestyle choices her husband, adult children, and other family members have left her and Lucy in the filthy house.

Lucy is counting down the days until she can leave home and go away to college. The last thing she needs or wants is for anyone to see how her mother lives. Lucy keeps her bedroom immaculate but knows it won’t matter if it is clean if anyone should see the other parts of the house.

When Joanna dies in the very beginning of this young adult novel, Lucy panics.  Does Lucy call 911 and expose her and mother’s hoarding secrets? Does she call her older siblings to help her? Would her best friend understand?

Would anyone understand?

Andrea King, Poplar-White Station Library


*Note* This book also includes a discussion guide

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