Monday's Not Coming

By: Tiffany D. Jackson

Narrated by: Imani Parks

Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

"Jackson’s characters and their heart-wrenching story linger long after the final page, urging readers to advocate for those who are disenfranchised and forgotten by society and the system." (Publishers Weekly, "An Anti-Racist Children's and YA Reading List")

From the critically acclaimed author of Allegedly, Tiffany D. Jackson, comes a gripping new novel about the mystery of one teenage girl’s disappearance and the traumatic effects of the truth.

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?

©2018 Tiffany D. Jackson (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

4.5 Stars

I love that this novel highlights the injustices of missing black girls, but the time jumps confused me a bit and it wasn’t necessary. Claudia was a bit annoying with how clueless she was. The ending was not expected, but knowing the author and how ALLEGEDLY turned out, I should’ve expected the unexpected. Overall good book. Definitely worth a listen and recommendation.

Astounding

So relatable...the love for one's childhood best friend. I can't believe I have been so moved by a novel written for young adults. It brought back so many emotions and reminded of how important it is to have that one somebody to stand with you through those rough adolescent years. I recommend that anyone reading just lean into it and remember that 12 to 14 - year - old your once were and likely still are deep down. Beautiful story.

Awesome narrative!

Really emotional turn in this book. wasn't expecting the emotional connection in this story. Fictional story but felt very real as I read on. definitely enjoyed this story.

A Harrowing Tale

Gruesome but the truth! Claudia was a true friend, she persevered and respected her intuition. So much of this hides in plain sight. I hope this book will heighten awareness and vigilance.

Better read than audio

**I reread MONDAY’S NOT COMING immediately after finishing, keeping the spoilers I knew about the timeline in mind and I have to to say #TiffanyDJackson brilliantly put the story together with just enough clues that readers more astute than me might discover the meaning of which part of the story was being told. I actually enjoyed the story even more the second time with this knowledge so upped my review to 5 stars.

4.5 STARS

If a middle school student disappears, shouldn’t people care? If that child is a cute white girl from a middle or wealthy class family, her face is plastered over the news. Her sobbing family looks sympathetic during press conferences. The police and maybe the FBI are involved. Friends, neighbors and strangers join search parties. This is, but should not be privilege. When that child is a black girl from the projects, the police (sometimes) assume she’s a runaway. If social services are involved with the family, she may slip through the cracks. She’s rarely headline news.

Claudia’s best friend Monday doesn’t show up for the first day of eighth grade and no one seems concerned. No one but Claudia. Monday’s mother says the young teen is with her father, Monday’s sister says she’s with an aunt. The school says she’s not registered. Claudia’s mother says Monday will turn up. As days turn into weeks into months Claudia is more determined to find her best friend.

I wanted to fall in love with Tiffany Jackson’s sophomore effort as much as her debut ALLEGEDLY, but the layout was too confusing to follow. Chapters were labeled Before and After, and also Before Before and 2 Years Before Before so I was often confused about what time period I was reading. If Before has been before Monday disappeared it might have been a bit easier. Upon completing the book, I understood why Jackson chose ambiguity, but it took away from my enjoyment.

I just loved Claudia and her complexity. Monday was her only friend, her other half, the one who gave her confidence. Suddenly alone, Claudia’s dyslexia becomes more apparent. She fears the Stupid Class. Dance is her salvation, but she feels like she doesn’t belong with the best group.

MONDAY’S NOT COMING made me mad and sad and frustrated as a system too overworked and under serviced to take notice. Pointing fingers is easy. Most professionals, teachers, counselors, social workers do their best in difficult circumstances. Unfortunately, their best can fail kids like Monday.

Anything more I want to say about MONDAY’S NOT COMING falls into the *spoiler* category. Jackson is a writer worth exploring. Her books have made me think and feel in areas novels don’t often touch.

ETA: I also listened to the audiobook. The narrator has a pleasant reading voice, but she didn’t do a good job with different voices for dialogue. The story works better in written format because the time jumps were more confusing in narration.

Quick read

Great story...a little confusing at times so I had to listen to a few chapters twice. The narrator was perfect as always. The book is very reminiscent of Shutter Island.

Sobbing

Have a box or 3 of tissues for this book. So well written, captivating and heartbreaking.

wow

I don't understand how any of this could happen in real life, and I'm angry with some details at the end, but still liked the book. This was a great listen (finishing this at 1am- couldn't wait until morning). If you like suspense and books with a plot twist, this is your next read.

This is the one.

This book, this... is a heart wrenching masterpiece. Such a work of art. I listened almost nonstop through to the end. Problem was, I was at work and had to work hard to hold back the tears. I’m recommending this book to every person that I know.

Powerful

WOW. What a powerful, heart wrenching story, on so many levels. Tears are running down my face.