Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu {16th]

Everyone has a secret. But Lucy's is bigger and dirtier than most. It's one she's been hiding for years—that her mom's out-of-control hoarding has turned their lives into a world of garbage and shame. Tackling an increasingly discussed topic that is both fascinating and disturbing, C. J. Omololu weaves an hour-by-hour account of Lucy's desperate attempt to save her family. Readers join Lucy on a path from which there is no return, and the impact of hoarding on one teen's life will have them completely hooked.

Title - Dirty Little Secrets

Author - C.J. Omololu

Pages - 224

Paperback, Hardcover, eBook - Paperback

Published & Publisher - March 15th, 2011 ; Walker & Company
Source - Library
Rating - 4/5

How can I even begin to praise this repulsive book? I know, that might sound bad, but it is exactly the opposite.

I've never read a book that dealt with this issue before, so I didn't really even know what to expect. My expectations were met, they were excelled! I read this book in a day! One reason because it's not a big book. It really didn't take long. Second reason, I had to know what was going to happen next. The main character, Lucy Tompkins, was well written. But she got on my nerves, I'll explain why later on.

I don't think I'm spoiling anything by stating that Lucy's mother is a huge hoarder. Well, it's stated in the description, so I know I'm not. Their house is very cluttered, and you can barely see past the stacks of things. Piles of trash everywhere, dishes stacking up in the sink, even a dead hamster! What kind of person would want to live in a place like that? Lucy doesn't, neither did her brother Phil and her sister Sara. Unlike her, they had hit the legal age to live that house. They were probably ecstatic to get out of there. Lucy still has two years, and has to wait it up with all the mess. She can't clean it up, or else her mom will flip and have an asthma attack. 

While looking for a pair of scissors in the mess she calls her house, she has her last asthma attack. Lucy comes home to find her mother dead, lying in her bed just inches away from her asthma. Now, Lucy is doing everything in her power to not let her secrets out when the paramedics come to get her mother. Their house is so cluttered they couldn't even get the stretcher through the hallway to get to her mother. 

Okay, let me stop there. First off, my problem with the book started right there. Lucy didn't show any emotion really to finding her mother dead. All she worried about was not letting the secret of her mother's problem out. Later in the book, I can see why she wouldn't want to cry after all the horrible things her mom had done (nothing too bad, no abuse or anything related to that). But still! A daughter found her own mother died. The one who birthed you! Why wouldn't you cry?! That got me mad, but my anger was disappeared when the last chapter took place. I was so stunned, even though the thought crossed my mind, it was just like...WOW. 

Overall, this was a great stand-alone novel. I definitely recommend this realistic fiction. P.S. Don't you just love the hardcover copy?

{New!} First Line - Everyone has secrets.

If Kaylie ever did find out the real secret, she wouldn't think it was so funny. "I don't have a secret," I lied.