Poppy Mayberry, The Monday by Jennie K. Brown

I loved the growing relationship between Poppy and Ellie and I'm glad a female friendship was the main focus, although there is a hope of some summer romance. Incorporating themes of friendship, development, and teamwork in a fun and humorous way, young readers will easily understand Poppy's struggles.

Poppy is trying to do her best at school while worrying about developing her gift, Ellie dislikes her for reasons unknown and now she has to go to summer school. Poppy Mayberry is very easy to relate to. I enjoyed reading it as an adult, but I'm sure I would have loved it more as an eight to eleven year old. Now, a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will have to come together, harness their abilities and see if they can claim back some of their summer.Poppy Mayberry, The Monday is a perfect story for younger middle-grade readers. If they succeed, the four weekdays can leave Power Academy early. Headmistress Lariby singles out Poppy's group by issuing them a challenge. Power Academy is run by the totally mean Headmistress Lariby. If that wasn't bad enough, Ellie is her roommate and in her weekday group. Poppy is still far from controlling her gift however, and is sent to Power Academy, a summer school for those who have to improve their weekday skills. Poppy Mayberry, a Monday hasn't been able to use her gift until Ellie Preston, a Thursday, makes Poppy so mad that Poppy sends Ellie's headband flying right off of her head. Most kids are able to use their gift between 10 and 13 years old. Mondays have the gift of telekinesis, Tuesdays are able to teleport, Wednesdays are able to manipulate electricity, Thursdays can read minds and Fridays have the gift of invisibility. In Nova City anyone born during the week, Monday through Friday, receives a special power dependent on the day that they were born. This wasn't my favorite children's book, but I was definitely curious enough about their future to consider reading any future volumes in the series. The group's friendship, especially with the rivalry originally between the two girls being addressed, was a major selling point for the book. I also liked that all of the children in the book were 'special' and it wasn't just our narrator. However, I really liked that it's a science fiction book from a young girl's perspective, that's a genre/demographic mix that I would love to see more of.

I think my biggest criticism would be the world building, there were several aspects to understanding the powers and the setting that I was on the look out for and either didn't have answered or only had full clarification about a large way through the novel. It felt a bit slow and had a couple of grammatical issues, but nothing too outrageous. I received this book as a free early reviewer copy in exchange for an honest review.

Poppy Mayberry, The Monday by Jennie K. Brown