ariellediaz1227's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This is the most devastating book I've read in a while. I can barely collect my thoughts.
the_jamae_way's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’m sorry, but this book had me SOBBING 😭 the story of Monday and Claudia was such an emotional read I couldn’t stop listening. I highly recommend this book, not many books succeeded in making me cry but this one surly had me BAWLING MY EYES OUT.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, Bullying, Child death, and Miscarriage
phona's review against another edition
3.0
the author did a great job at illustrating the feeling of powerlessness that comes with seeing the system fail to avoid two (VERY) preventable tragedies. Monday fell through the cracks despite the glaring red flags that authorities, the school, and other parents-basically everyone-saw and ignored. seeing her friend try to search for her and be stopped by the bureaucracy was the punch, but it was realistic.
my main issue with the book (3/5 stars) was with its timeline. the author's chosen timelines-"before", "after", "one year before the before", and "two years before the before"-blended and were erratically timed; hard to keep track of. it felt like a lot of padding was also added which made it hard to continue in the middle due to redundancy.
the book is pretty hard-hitting and depicts the longstanding systemic problem of children falling through the cracks and how race, location, age, etc. can factor into whether help is provided at all. reiterates an important message that bystanders are responsible when the system won't be.
my main issue with the book (3/5 stars) was with its timeline. the author's chosen timelines-"before", "after", "one year before the before", and "two years before the before"-blended and were erratically timed; hard to keep track of. it felt like a lot of padding was also added which made it hard to continue in the middle due to redundancy.
the book is pretty hard-hitting and depicts the longstanding systemic problem of children falling through the cracks and how race, location, age, etc. can factor into whether help is provided at all. reiterates an important message that bystanders are responsible when the system won't be.
briannaslibrary's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
grimmgay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
jenbsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Well that was tragic. Living in a very white, suburban neighborhood, the life and struggle some people have is a different world. There's been glimpses of it in the news, other books, TV and movies, and it always seems so distant. So sad for those who may find it too familiar.
Claudia has a different life than her best (only) friend Monday. Claudia is a beloved only child, with two steady parents. Monday's home is much less stable. As Claudia returns from a summer away, wondering why Monday didn't stay in contact, she finds she's still unable to connect. Her phone has been disconnected, she's not allowed to go to the part of town where Monday lives. Everyone is sure she'll show up when school starts, but she doesn't. Monday is missing, and no one even seems aware, or to care.
From the blub, and simply from the circumstances presented, I figured something bad had happened to Monday. The final reveal was even worse than imagined. So sad.
Claudia has a different life than her best (only) friend Monday. Claudia is a beloved only child, with two steady parents. Monday's home is much less stable. As Claudia returns from a summer away, wondering why Monday didn't stay in contact, she finds she's still unable to connect. Her phone has been disconnected, she's not allowed to go to the part of town where Monday lives. Everyone is sure she'll show up when school starts, but she doesn't. Monday is missing, and no one even seems aware, or to care.
From the blub, and simply from the circumstances presented, I figured something bad had happened to Monday. The final reveal was even worse than imagined. So sad.
bigd03's review against another edition
5.0
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING I SOBBED!!
Wow this book was incredible it hooked me super early on and I got so attached to the characters. the discussion on child abuse and the systems fault in so many stories. monday, claudia and april were such sweet young girls and deserved so much better. The plot twist was simple but still completely surprised me. micheal was such an phenomenal character the way he stuck with claudia through everything and was just so sweet to everyone. it talks about gentrification and mental illness and how community can play a major role in finding abusers. Claudia and Monday’s relationship is so beautiful the way she helped her without realising for so many year and how she was the only person who could see what was really happening while everyone else took a blind eye to the situation. The way everyone was so active in the funeral and people who bullied her and claudia talked about her rather than the people who really cared. Just altogether such a good book with an amazing message.
Wow this book was incredible it hooked me super early on and I got so attached to the characters. the discussion on child abuse and the systems fault in so many stories. monday, claudia and april were such sweet young girls and deserved so much better. The plot twist was simple but still completely surprised me. micheal was such an phenomenal character the way he stuck with claudia through everything and was just so sweet to everyone. it talks about gentrification and mental illness and how community can play a major role in finding abusers. Claudia and Monday’s relationship is so beautiful the way she helped her without realising for so many year and how she was the only person who could see what was really happening while everyone else took a blind eye to the situation. The way everyone was so active in the funeral and people who bullied her and claudia talked about her rather than the people who really cared. Just altogether such a good book with an amazing message.
coltonchase_'s review against another edition
5.0
It’s been quite a while since I read a YA novel. This one was recommended to me by Traci of The Stacks podcast and I’m happy I picked it up.
I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoiling. But this book is about a girl whose best friend doesn’t show up for school one day.
Be warned that this book is heavy — go into it knowing that.
I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoiling. But this book is about a girl whose best friend doesn’t show up for school one day.
Be warned that this book is heavy — go into it knowing that.