Ms. Walker Character Analysis in Monday’s Not Coming

Ms. Walker is an elderly lady and a member of Claudia’s church. She tutors Claudia, and she also happens to be Michael’s grandmother. Ms. Walker never appears in person in the novel, but she seems to care deeply about Claudia. She even arranges for Michael to encourage Claudia to skip a tutoring session to accompany him to the mall, since Ms. Walker believes that Claudia needs a friend. Ms. Walker gives Claudia colored plastic dividers to use to help her read, which is significant for Claudia in learning how to navigate her dyslexia.

Ms. Walker Character Timeline in Monday’s Not Coming

The timeline below shows where the character Ms. Walker appears in Monday’s Not Coming. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

In her journal, Claudia writes to Monday. She writes that Ma hired Ms. Walker as a tutor and may even “let them put [her] in the Learning Centr!” Claudia... (full context)

Ms. Walker lives about three blocks from the church. Claudia goes three days per week. The first... (full context)

When Claudia arrives at Ms. Walker ’s to work on her essay, she finds Michael waiting for her on the stoop.... (full context)

...to arouse suspicion. At the customer service counter, Michael returns a pair of shoes for Ms. Walker and wins over the checker with his politeness. Claudia asks if he’s always so friendly... (full context)

...people watch. Claudia can’t believe that Monday just ditched her. Michael interrupts to ask what Ms. Walker is asking Claudia to do and what high school Claudia wants to attend. He wrinkles... (full context)

Family, Community, and Responsibility Theme Icon

...FaceTime and text. Finishing his hot chocolate, Michael says they need to get back—he told Ms. Walker he’d have Claudia back. Claudia suspects that Ma made Michael do this, but Michael laughs... (full context)

...suddenly seems sexy and she spins away to hide her blush. She asks what else Ms. Walker told him, afraid she’s telling people that Claudia can’t read. Michael assures her his grandma... (full context)

Instead of doing Mrs. Walker ’s worksheets, Claudia sits in the library, looks through one of her colored gel filters... (full context)

...to Michael, so she suggests he find a family member to stay with. She suggests Ms. Walker , and Michael thanks Claudia for the good idea. (full context)

...that there isn’t any good seafood in Dubai. Michael says he’s going to stay with Ms. Walker , but he’s going to miss his parents. Changing the subject, Michael asks about Claudia’s... (full context)

...Ma’s eyes well up. She though Claudia was getting better. Confused, Claudia says she’s seeing Ms. Walker and going to the TLC; this isn’t at all related. (full context)

Ma explains that Ms. Walker has been homeschooling Claudia for a year, Claudia has been dancing, and Michael has been... (full context)

Michael leads Claudia into Ms. Walker ’s house, laughing that he’s never skipped school before. When Claudia asks, Michael reminds her... (full context)