Lullabies for Little Criminals

i really love this book, its one i come back to often to re-read. heather o'neill has a great taste in music. its a really great read and i hope you enjoy it as much as i do !

After hearing her short stories on This American Life I looked up this novel - her first. Very creative writing style that I can't really compare to any other author. I hope to see more long form stories from Ms. O'Neill.

This book, as so many people have already attested to, is written in a fresh way - one that will envelope you immediately. It is a very easy, quick read. I must admit, after the first chapter or so, I deliberately started reading slower to make the experience last longer.... Loved the book, and actually have now read some of the author's favorite books that she has listed in the back pages of this book. I read "The Clown" - which was another very uniquely written story about an unemployed depressed heart-broken clown in post WWII Germany.

Don't pick up this book unless you have a large block of time available. I couldn't put it down. What I liked most about this story is how original it is. I've read other hard-luck stories, but none captivated my heart the way Baby and Jules did. The characters are what make this book special and the lyrical writing frames them so well. The story of Jules and Baby made me cry and gave me a deeper understanding for the things that drive people to desperation. It helped me to see that people on the street or in destitute circumstances are all just people like me, that life has kicked around. When you live near homeless people, it's easy to become cynical. This book opened my heart. This is one of those stories I can say changed my life. Read it and let it change yours.

Heather O'Neill certainly struck a chord with this one. This is one powerful book! The character of Baby touched my heart in a way that many characters from novels do not. To be so young and so alone!! Baby's father, Jules, was 15 when she was born, and her mother is no longer around. Jules is a junkie and certainly no role model. They moved around all the time; from one bad place to another. Although depressing to see a child that doesn't have the benefit of a traditional loving family, her perseverence and her ability to adapt to change is really a bit of an inspiration. Baby has to make decisions and live her life the way no child should ever need to. Her harsh journey is one that needs to be told.

I loved this book for three different reasons: the writing style, story line, and themes. Wow. First, I have to say that the author is a master at figurative language. There are lines in the book that I read, reread, and reread. Absolutely loved them. Next, I loved the story line and fell in love with Baby. I wanted to take Baby home and give her the love she so desperately needed. Last, I teach students just like Baby. My classrooms are full of girls and boys just like her. Baby's story made me stop and think about those kids that I might have overlooked in one way or another. Baby reached out subtly and perhaps I'm missing those subtle clues from my students. This is a must read. Please write another book, Ms. O'Neil!