Week of Mondays
on Goodreads (4,109)
What’s inside...
When I made the wish, I just wanted a do-over. Another chance to make things right. I never, in a million years, thought it might actually come true... Sixteen-year-old Ellison Sparks is having a serious case of the Mondays. She gets a ticket for running a red light, she manages to take the world's worst school picture, she bombs softball try-outs and her class election speech (note to self: never trust a cheerleader when she swears there are no nuts in her bake-sale banana bread), and to top it all off, Tristan, her gorgeous rocker boyfriend suddenly dumps her. For no good reason!As far as Mondays go, it doesn't get much worse than this. And Ellie is positive that if she could just do it all over again, she would get it right. So when she wakes up the next morning to find she's reliving the exact same day, she knows what she has to do: stop her boyfriend from breaking up with her. But it seems no matter how many do-overs she gets or how hard Ellie tries to repair her relationship, Tristan always seems bent set on ending it. Will Ellie ever figure out how to fix this broken day? Or will she be stuck in this nightmare of a Monday forever?From the author 52 Reasons to Hate My Father and The Unremembered trilogy comes a hilarious and heartwarming story about second (and third and fourth and fifth) chances. Because sometimes it takes a whole week of Mondays to figure out what you really want.
Age
12-18
Length
320 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Ellison Sparks
Owen
Tristan
Discussion points
How do you think you would handle reliving the same day over and over again, like the character in the book?
What do you think are the important lessons the main character learns from her experiences throughout the week?
How do the character's relationships with her friends and family change by the end of the book?
What would you have done differently if you were in the protagonist's shoes?
Which day was the most challenging for the character, and why do you think that is?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own thoughts on the book's themes, such as perseverance and the importance of understanding others.
Encourage your child to relate the book's scenarios to their own personal experiences, which can provide deeper insight and connection to the material.
Highlight the character development throughout the story, asking your child to point out changes in the main character from start to finish.
Discuss the outcomes of the protagonist's different choices each day, which can lead to a conversation about decision-making and consequences.
Use the book as a tool to discuss mistakes and growth, highlighting how the character learns from her repeated experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: In 'Week of Mondays', the protagonist relives the same day multiple times, facing various obstacles. With each iteration, she learns to handle her problems more effectively, showcasing adaptability and perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that encountering setbacks is a part of life and that persistence and flexibility can help them overcome difficulties and improve their circumstances.
Example Lesson: The importance of empathy and understanding
Explanation: Throughout the repetitions of her day, the protagonist begins to notice and understand the struggles of those around her better. This helps her to build stronger, more empathetic relationships.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to be mindful of the feelings and situations of others around them, fostering a more compassionate and supportive community.
Example Lesson: The power of self-reflection and personal growth
Explanation: As the main character experiences the same day repeatedly, she reflects on her own actions and their impacts. This self-reflection leads to personal growth and better decisions.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of self-reflection in understanding their own behaviors and learning from their mistakes to foster personal growth and better decision-making skills.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The book illustrates how different choices lead to different outcomes in the protagonist’s repeated days. This highlights the causal relationship between actions and their results.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that their actions have consequences and that thoughtful, considered actions are likely to lead to more positive outcomes.