Here at Operation Awesome we don't usually review books, but for this year's #atozchallenge we decided to focus on the books we love to read instead of our usual mission - helping authors navigate their writing and publishing journey. I'm delighted to be able to share this review of a book by one of my all time favourite authors.
I loved this book. It was one of those stories I picked up to read a few chapters in the morning, and didn't put down until I had read the whole thing. It's about friendship and loyalty and deception and delusion and unfolds so delicately that the ending is a complete surprise.
Claudia and Monday have been best friends forever, so when Monday doesn't show up on the first day of school, Claudia is concerned. As the days pass, with no sign of Monday, she becomes increasingly worried. Especially since she can't seem to get her on the phone either.
Claudia has always depended on Monday, to champion her, to help with her schoolwork, and to run off the bullies who torment her. Yet she remains gone. And Claudia's mother doesn't seem as concerned about it as she should be, considering Monday practically lived in Claudia's room for years.
And April, Monday's sister, isn't any help either.
As Claudia searches for answers to her friend's disappearance, it becomes clear that no one can really remember when they last saw Monday. Or where. It's like she's vanished through a crack in the space-time continuum and left no trace behind her.
This book was real and raw and compelling. The MC is flawed and has her own, real issues and problems to suffer through. Her parents are protective and struggling with their own problems. They are hard-working people who want the best for their daughter. They stay in touch with their roots even as they forge their way to a better life and social class.
The ending was devastating, but I won't go into that here lest I ruin the book for you. Just know that it's a complete surprise without feeling like it has come out of nowhere. Once it has been revealed, the clues are all there through the rest of the story. I'm almost tempted to re-read, just so I can enjoy those moments.
Highly recommended!
But you don't have to trust me. Here's the blurb:
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?
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?
I read this book. It was good.
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