I Hadn't Meant To Tell You This takes place in Athens, Ohio. Marie our main character lives with her father who is a college professor. Marie and her father struggle with the fact that Maries mother has left the family. She sends postcards from around the world simply ending with Love Me. "You cry with the water running behind a closed door where you can wash your face and pat the red from your eyes. You cry hard and you cry alone." Marie slowly realizes throughout the book that her mother will not return.

Marie's school is predominantly African American with a few white students. A new girl arrives at school named Lena.  Everyone instantly labels her as "white trash."  "Her socks didn't match, and the heels of her shoes were worn down. To top it off, she was white." She has oily, short, dark brown hair like a boys and dirty clothing. This is a stark contrast from Marie who was named one of the best dressed in her class last year.

Marie is asked to show Lena around school.  Lena attempts to befriend Marie, but she will not accept her friendship at first. Marie has never had a friend who was white. They eventually do become the best of friends and share a secret and special relationship. They are both without mothers and that similarity bonds them even closer. When Lena exposes the truth about her father, Marie can't and won't accept it. "I don't want to her it Lena! You're probably lying. Nobody does that kind of stuff, not with their daughter." Marie says she is lying because she wants attention. "You think I want attention? That's the last thing I want. I wish I was invisible." Lena swears Marie to secrecy. If the truth is exposed, Lena will be taken away.

The book touched upon taboo family topics such as depression and sexual abuse. The two girls are from different worlds, yet find comfort and safety within their friendship. We are shown how some abused children are in a cycle in our society. This is a true survival story, the tale of young girls in today's society, both surviving without mothers and struggling to be okay with their lives. Lena eventually has to leave with her younger sister. With the abuse of her sister Dion, Lena can no longer stand by and let any abuse to happen at all. Marie begs Lena to stay, but realizes that Lena has run out of options.     

The book is Coretta Scott King honor book. The author brings a poignant story about two girls to life in a frighteningly realistic setting. The book haunts you and leaves you to wonder if society can ever make things right for children. The writing in the book made me cry and I was pleased to know that we have extraordinary authors for young adults today.