45 pages • 1 hour read
Heather O'NeillLullabies for Little Criminals
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2006A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill follows Baby, a thirteen-year-old girl living in the slums of Montreal with her heroin-addicted father, Jules. As Baby navigates the instability caused by Jules' addiction, she seeks affection and stability, ultimately getting involved with dangerous individuals. The story is told through Baby's reflective, yet honest, memories of her troubled childhood. Topics: child exploitation, substance addiction, and abuse.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill has been praised for its compelling, lyrical prose and vivid character development. Reviewers highlight O'Neill's skill in portraying the raw and gritty life of a young girl growing up in poverty. Some critics feel the narrative's bleakness can be overwhelming. Overall, it’s a poignant and unforgettable debut novel that captures both hardship and resilience.
Who Should Read Lullabies for Little Criminals?
Fans of raw, poignant coming-of-age stories would cherish Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill. Ideal for readers who appreciated the gritty realism of The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger or the lyrical prose of White Oleander by Janet Fitch. This novel’s blend of innocence and harsh reality is captivating.