Author: Tiffany D. Jackson
Year Published: 2018
Genre: YA fiction
Pages: 435
Rating: 5 out of 5
Location (my 2019 Google Reading map): USA (Washington, DC and Maryland)
FTC Disclosure: I bought this book with my own money
Summary (from the inside flap of the book): Monday Charles is missing, and only Claudia seems to notice. Claudia and Monday have always been inseparable—more sisters than friends. So when Monday doesn’t turn up for the first day of school, Claudia’s worried.
Review: Oh my this book is good. It won the Coretta Scott King / John Steptoe Award (African American New Talent) last year and I can see why!
This is a book that feels like it is racing toward something and when that something hits it is devastating. I don't want to say any more about the plot because you need to read this book for yourself. Claudia is a great character; she cares so deeply for her friend Monday, misses her so much, and needs her to come back to help Claudia through the tough times at school. Thankfully, home is a good place, but that isn't enough.
This book does difficult well. People's lives are difficult, adolescence is difficult, and speaking up for yourself and those you love can be very difficult. And scary. Especially when no one will listen. Taking this journey with Claudia (and Monday through flashbacks) is rocky, with moments of joy and sorrow and fear. The chapters cover before and after in a way that is effective. I also like that their stories bring up important issues, but they aren't forced or preachy.
I can't say enough about the story, the characters, and the writing. Claudia gets inside the reader's head and doesn't let go. If you've read Jackson's book Allegedly, you'll like this one.
Challenges for which this counts:
FTC Disclosure: I bought this book with my own money
Summary (from the inside flap of the book): Monday Charles is missing, and only Claudia seems to notice. Claudia and Monday have always been inseparable—more sisters than friends. So when Monday doesn’t turn up for the first day of school, Claudia’s worried.
When she doesn’t show for the second day, or second week, Claudia knows that something is wrong. Monday wouldn’t just leave her to endure tests and bullies alone. Not after last year’s rumors and not with her grades on the line. Now Claudia needs her best—and only—friend more than ever. But Monday’s mother refuses to give Claudia a straight answer, and Monday’s sister April is even less help.
As Claudia digs deeper into her friend’s disappearance, she discovers that no one seems to remember the last time they saw Monday. How can a teenage girl just vanish without anyone noticing that she’s gone?
This is a book that feels like it is racing toward something and when that something hits it is devastating. I don't want to say any more about the plot because you need to read this book for yourself. Claudia is a great character; she cares so deeply for her friend Monday, misses her so much, and needs her to come back to help Claudia through the tough times at school. Thankfully, home is a good place, but that isn't enough.
This book does difficult well. People's lives are difficult, adolescence is difficult, and speaking up for yourself and those you love can be very difficult. And scary. Especially when no one will listen. Taking this journey with Claudia (and Monday through flashbacks) is rocky, with moments of joy and sorrow and fear. The chapters cover before and after in a way that is effective. I also like that their stories bring up important issues, but they aren't forced or preachy.
I can't say enough about the story, the characters, and the writing. Claudia gets inside the reader's head and doesn't let go. If you've read Jackson's book Allegedly, you'll like this one.
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