Claudia and Monday are the very best of friends. They even like to think they are twin sisters, they are so close. Claudia is an only child, with loving parents who are firm but fair in her upbringing. They too see Monday as part of the family, sharing holidays, family events, their home and lives with her.

When Monday doesn’t turn up for school after the summer holidays, Claudia is confused, worried, and then completely lost without her. She has no other friends, because she’s never needed anyone else except Monday. With her best friend away, cracks begin to show in Claudia’s schoolwork and grades, for a reason that no-one ever knew.

Claudia is asking everyone she can where Monday is. She even goes to Monday’s house in an area deemed far too dangerous by her mother. But Monday’s mother won’t let her in, telling her Monday is visiting a relative.

Other things are happening in Claudia’s life. Dance classes, a boy at church, and her first party. But all she can think about is that Monday is missing out. Claudia won’t give up, talking to teachers, police, other kids and chasing Monday’s older sister for answers. Where is Monday?

Claudia begins to looks further afield, following breadcrumbs Monday has left behind. But this involves dangerous situations and even more confusion. Where is Monday?

Another powerful contemporary novel by Tiffany D Jackson. The story does jump to before, and after and back again. This format was sometimes confusing but did give backstory to capture the closeness but hidden gulf between the two friends. One, loved, cherished, and cared for, the other languishing in a home of sudden violence, squalor and secrets.

The fallout after the truth is discovered is widespread – blame falling on social workers, ignored 911 calls, and building inspectors, but the age-old society excuse of, “It’s none of our business,” is also to blame.

Taken from true-to-life headlines of missing girls, Monday’s not coming is heart breaking and sad, full of Washington DC culture in the form of go go music, high school talk and slang, and family life – all of which I enjoyed immersing myself in as I read. But I kept asking myself, “Where is she?”

Author – Tiffany D Jackson

Age – 14+

Read more reviews on novels by Tiffany D Jackson (Click on the covers)

(Washington DC, Secret, Family, Best friends, Growing up, School, Dance, Firsts, Abuse, Dyslexia, Church)