Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu

Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu

210 pages

Ummm. Wow. I have a secret. I am one of those who watches Hoarders, then immediately gets up and throws 15 things away. Hoarding is very sad, and it is definitely a mental disorder. But what about the kids? How could they possibly have a normal, healthy life living in squalor...let alone have a social life? This is the story of a 16-year-old girl, living with a mother who hoards. Her brother and sister have already been able to fly the coop. She has tried to clear away the mess, but her mother will not have it. But when her mother is killed by the 'treasures' falling on top of her and smothering her, she must find a way to hide her dirty little secret before everybody knows. This was so well written...I loved Lucy's voice. Her sadness, and the hope that someday she can get everything clean, have a sleepover, have a boyfriend who she is not to embarrassed to have him pick her up at the front door. In her hopelessness, she doesn't give up on the dream of one day having her own home, children, and doing things so differently.