REVIEW: Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu

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. She’s managed to keep her home life hidden from her best friend and her crush, knowing they’d be disgusted by the truth. So, when her mom dies suddenly in their home, Lucy hesitates to call 911 because revealing their way of life would make her future unbearable—and she begins her two-day plan to set her life right.With details that are as fascinating as they are disturbing, C. J. Omololu weaves an hour-by-hour account of Lucy’s desperate attempt at normalcy. Her fear and isolation are palpable as readers are pulled down a path from which there is no return, and the impact of hoarding on one teen’s life will have readers completely hooked.

For those who have finished DLS, there is an "AFTER" chapter on the website www.cjomololu.com. Contains many spoilers, so only for those who have read the book.  --from GoodReads


This book was soooooo good!  I loved it.  I could not imagine living like the main character did.  This book is super short and I read it very quickly.  The author did an amazing job of describing the characters and the setting.  The house!  I could picture it so clearly, and just cringed thinking about the smell.  I even loved the inclusion of little T.J. who is a 9 year old neighbor of Lucy.  This book is a nominee for the Eliot Rosewater award for 2011-2012.  Eliot Rosewater awards are chosen by teens through a nomination and then ballot voting process.  My school library is working in conjunction with our local public library to make these books available to teens and facilitate the collection of ballots.  I'm excited to read all of the nominations.  The Other Wes Moore that I reviewed a few weeks ago is another of the nominees.  Matched by Ally Condie is also on the list.  I read that one this past summer, and liked it a lot.  But so far, my personal favorite has been Dirty Little Secrets.  Eliot Rosewater awards are given in Indiana.