Helpful Score: 1
Reviewed by Andrea for TeensReadToo.com
DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS by C. J. Omololu tells the story of sixteen-year-old Lucy's dirty secret - literally.
Lucy grew up in a house with a mother who was a hoarder. And she's had to keep it a secret because no one would understand the piles of trash in her house. She finally feels that she might have a chance at a "normal" life and even has a best friend and a boyfriend. But when something happens to threaten that, Lucy must make a decision that will change her life forever.
Wow. This story broke my heart. I had never heard of hoarders before. I can't imagine growing up in that environment. It made me wonder if any of my students live like that. I'm not sure there is a way to know, unless the child tells you.
I felt so bad for Lucy. All she wants is a normal teenage life. I could feel the stress and panic she was in while she was trying to clean up the house so that she could call an ambulance to come get her mom. A child/teenager should never have to go through that.
And the ending shocked me. I definitely didn't see it coming and it makes me wonder what happened to Lucy after the end of the story.
This was definitely a sad but thought-provoking read, and one I highly recommend!
DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS by C. J. Omololu tells the story of sixteen-year-old Lucy's dirty secret - literally.
Lucy grew up in a house with a mother who was a hoarder. And she's had to keep it a secret because no one would understand the piles of trash in her house. She finally feels that she might have a chance at a "normal" life and even has a best friend and a boyfriend. But when something happens to threaten that, Lucy must make a decision that will change her life forever.
Wow. This story broke my heart. I had never heard of hoarders before. I can't imagine growing up in that environment. It made me wonder if any of my students live like that. I'm not sure there is a way to know, unless the child tells you.
I felt so bad for Lucy. All she wants is a normal teenage life. I could feel the stress and panic she was in while she was trying to clean up the house so that she could call an ambulance to come get her mom. A child/teenager should never have to go through that.
And the ending shocked me. I definitely didn't see it coming and it makes me wonder what happened to Lucy after the end of the story.
This was definitely a sad but thought-provoking read, and one I highly recommend!
Helpful Score: 1
Dirty Little Secrets has just about everything I love in a novel. Dark, disturbing, and real. Lucy seems normal enough, but behind the walls of her home is a secret she works hard to keep hidden from everyone around her. Piles of junk and stacks of trash. Nothing is thrown out, but everything is wasted. Suddenly her mother dies, and everything changes for Lucy. She knows she can start over -- fix what her mother let get out of control -- but she only has a few hours to do it.
Based on whatever summary you read, you may or may not know exactly what Lucy does when she finds her mother. I don't want to give anything away myself, but it's slightly disturbing. Despite this, there's a level of sympathy the reader has for her. Every word is captivating, while at the same time the horrific knowledge still clings to the reader. I for one had to keep reading to know how this would pan out.
Chapter after chapter digs deeper into Lucy's secret life, and even reveals secrets about her family that she never knew. A normal life is in her reach, and yet her old was is trying to drag her back.
I love it. So magnificently horrifying in a completely realistic way. The story takes place in a little more than 24 hours, and Lucy's anxiety translates onto the page. The end was what I would call perfect. Just as disturbing as the beginning, and not an ounce too corny.
Based on whatever summary you read, you may or may not know exactly what Lucy does when she finds her mother. I don't want to give anything away myself, but it's slightly disturbing. Despite this, there's a level of sympathy the reader has for her. Every word is captivating, while at the same time the horrific knowledge still clings to the reader. I for one had to keep reading to know how this would pan out.
Chapter after chapter digs deeper into Lucy's secret life, and even reveals secrets about her family that she never knew. A normal life is in her reach, and yet her old was is trying to drag her back.
I love it. So magnificently horrifying in a completely realistic way. The story takes place in a little more than 24 hours, and Lucy's anxiety translates onto the page. The end was what I would call perfect. Just as disturbing as the beginning, and not an ounce too corny.
