Annabelle remembers a time when her family was normal. Things changed shortly after her younger sister was born. She knows Leslie doesn't really remember a time different than now which makes Annabelle sad.
Their house was never tidy. That's not something her mother worried about, but when the "collections" started, Annabelle's house became a secret she didn't share with anyone. The kitchen was filled with stacks of old newspapers, empty milk jugs, and empty egg cartons. Canned goods surrounded her father's desk in the den and linens of all kinds were heaped in the living room. Stuff was piled everywhere except Annabelle's room; she had cleaned it out when she was ten and refused to let any clutter accumulate. There was also the ex-dining room where the door was locked and never opened. What was in there? Lord only knew.
Things come to a head when Annabelle's father leaves early for his yearly trip with students to the UK, and at the same time, Grandma Nora arrives to fix things. The tension and arguing are thick in the air. Annabelle watches the toll it is taking on her little sister and realizes the family is out of control. Her mother has never admitted it, but she is a hoarder, and someone needs to help.
Author Mary E. Lambert tackles a topic I have never seen covered in a book for middle grade readers. Annabelle immediately grabbed me by the heart strings and kept pulling me through this remarkable story. The courage and strength of the children in this dysfunctional family should be experienced by young readers and adults alike. Lambert shows how difficult but necessary change can be.
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