Monday's Not Coming

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2018

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Introduction

Before Reading

Reading Context

During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Answer Key

After Reading

Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Activities

Essay Questions

Exam Questions

Exam Answer Key

Introduction

Monday’s Not Coming

Genre: Fiction; young adult mystery
Originally Published: 2018
Reading Level/Interest: Lexile HL620L; grades 8-12
Structure/Length: 56 chapters; approximately 464 pages; approximately 10 hours, 6 minutes on audio
Protagonist/Central Conflict: The novel follows Claudia, a teenager whose best friend, Monday, has disappeared without a trace. The central conflict revolves around Claudia’s desperate search for her friend in a community that seems not to notice Monday’s absence, which leads to the discovery of horrifying secrets.
Potential Sensitivity Issues: Disappearance of a teenager; child abuse; neglect; themes of violence and trauma; dyslexia; mature language; references to sex, drugs, and alcohol

Tiffany D. Jackson, Author

Bio: Born in the 1980s; American author of young adult fiction; holds a BA in film from Howard University; previously worked in television and film production; work often explores challenging social issues; known for her gripping narratives and multidimensional characters
Other Works: Allegedly (2017); Let Me Hear a Rhyme (2019); Grown (2020); Blackout (2021, co-authored)
Awards: Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award for New Talent (2019)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:

Perception Versus Reality
Racism and Gentrification
Coming of Age

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will:

Gain an understanding of the physical and emotional effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and gentrification, which impact Claudia’s life.
Study paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of Perception Versus Reality, Racism and Gentrification, and Coming of Age.
Plan, write, and present written observations incorporating the symbolism of color to represent a person, following the examples Claudia develops.
Analyze and evaluate the plot and character details to draw conclusions in structured essay responses regarding the friendship between Monday and Claudia, the structure of the novel, and other topics.