whitneydaniell

by: Tiffany D. Jackson
published: May 22, 2018
genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery, Fiction
464 Pages, Paperback
GoodReads Link

> > Here is an article about a true story that this book was loosely pulled from – LINK < <

I had heard about this book, well before I picked it up to read. Thanks #BlackBookTok. I also researched the story (referenced above) and after now finishing the book, I don’t think I was ready for the emotional rollercoaster of Monday’s Not Coming.

DISCLAIMER: As someone who reads thrillers and murder mysteries, I am no stranger to murder, death, abuse, etc. But there is something about the beautifully-mastered writing of this book that brought tears to my eyes. This book (and subsequent review) makes mention of child abuse so, #TriggerWarning

I. Characters

Claudia is Monday’s best friend and the voice of this story. Claudia only knows her current life with Monday; she cannot fathom starting eighth grade without her best friend. But that’s what happens when Monday doesn’t show up for the first day of school.

Claudia knows that there is something different about her, but Monday makes her feel safe. Monday is her refuge in a world that confuses Claudia. When the sounds of the outside get too loud or the silence inside her head is too quiet, Claudia leans on Monday to shake her world up. Monday, the lively yin to her yang, could brighten any room. Monday wasn’t afraid of the unknown, and in Claudia’s eyes, Monday was fearless. Claudia was in awe of her, wanting just a little bit of what made Monday, Monday. Claudia loved standing in her light, but when the light suddenly goes out, Claudia is left to figure out the source of the outage.

Claudia was so much more powerful than she believed herself to be, and I was happy to see that Michael was there to show her her power. Everyone was afraid of Claudia; she was smarter than them! Why was no one listening to her?!

Mrs. Coleman, Claudia’s mother, everyone had a friend with a mother just like Mrs. Coleman – sweet, welcoming, warm. She made her home a place where all the kids wanted to be. She is the unassuming church lady who makes the best mac and cheese and gives the warmest hugs – I just know it.

Ms. Valente, if only every child had a teacher like you.

II. The Story / Plot

Again, because I had researched the case that this story is loosely based, from I knew where it was going just didn’t know the why. However, the minute Monday begins speaking from the pages, I knew what the why was.

More than anything, the story is about how LIVING will always trump EXISTING. Claudia lived a life with Monday, a life that no one else in Monday’s orbit could remember living. Monday didn’t just exist to Claudia, they were alive together! Claudia knew Monday like she knew her skin. They were tethered together. They shared space and energy. Monday was alive with Claudia, she had feelings, opinions, and emotions. Claudia saw the beauty in Monday, the sparkle of her eye, the hum of her pulse. When we think about the people that we love, are we doing life with them or are we living life with them? Claudia and Monday weren’t just existing, they were living and when half of you is no longer humming, no longer emitting energy, isn’t it right that you would feel it? Feel the hallow of being empty? That’s what this book was.

The story does bounce between timelines, the Before and the After. Initially, it was confusing, but it all made sense in the end. Without spoiling it too much, the story is not just about Monday but how we all get so lost in our lives that insignificant things slip through the cracks. The fine print of the world goes unread, unnoticed.

You used to see your family, at least for Sunday dinner. But now everybody so caught up in this and that, that you don’t notice what’s right in front of you.

Ms. Roundtree, Monday’s next door neighbor

III. The Writing

The writing was masterful! Tiffany D. Jackson knows how to make these stories captivating.

Final Thought: A must-read!