Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson

“I know what you’re thinking. How can a whole person, a kid, disappear and no one say a word? Like if the sun just up and left one day, you’d think someone would sound an alarm, right? But Ma used to say, not everyone circles the same sun. I never knew what she meant by that until Monday went missing.”

I have always loved the cover of Monday’s not Coming. It’s beautiful picture of a girl with fabulous braids. I mean, what's not to love? But when I read the synopsis, I didn’t feel the immediate pull to read the book. So, like a fool, I didn’t. Till I read an interview with the author and she was explaining what she based the book on. How young black girls were going missing and they were being ignored by the media, police, and even their own neighborhoods. It was an epidemic and she felt like it wasn't receiving the response necessary. So she wrote a book about it. Right after reading that interview, I immediately headed to the library and rented the book. Because I felt this was a story that needed to be told and I wanted to support that story in any way I could.

Monday and Claudia have been best friends for forever. Pretty much sisters. But on the first day of school, Monday doesn’t show up. And as time goes by, Monday is no where to be found. Monday's mother says she’s moved, but Claudia knows her best friend wouldn't just up and leave without saying goodbye. Especially with all that happened last year and all their plans for the future. But weeks turn into months and Monday has pretty much vanished. Claudia realizes she has to figure out where Monday is. Because how does a teenage girl go missing and no on cares?

I won’t lie, it didn’t pull me in the first few chapters. But after a while, my heart caved and I felt for Claudia. To be alone in school is terrifying, excruciating, painful, etc. Especially when you planned on having your best friend by your side. With everything she has going on, Claudia needs Monday more than ever. But she's no where to be found. As the book progressed, you flip from the past to the present. You see life before Monday is gone and a little of the after. At first, it was confusing but it makes sense after the first few chapters. Tiffany D. Jackson has made such a profound novel with such moving character portrayals and an important subject. I really can't give too much away and don't do too much digging into the plot of the book! You don't want it spoiled.

The subjects brought up in the book are extremely heavy, so please be aware of that. Domestic violence, drug abuse, neglect, bullying, gentrification, mental health and more are all subjects that are dealt with in the book. I know it seems like a lot and while it is, I haven't been this impressed with a book in a while. Especially not a young adult book. I cried when I finished this book. It struck a cord with me and I needed to process it for a while. I will always keep repeating how far young adult books have come. In terms of diversity and the people writing them, it's exactly what is needed nowadays. Please run DON'T walk and get this book!

PS- There's more. Once you read the book and fully digest it. Do some research on the real life cases this book based some of its most heart breaking plot lines on. For some it can be hard to believe. But it's real. Remember stories like this need to be told and we must all be aware of how the most vulnerable of us can be so easily forgotten.