When Life Gives You Mangoes

by Kereen Getten

Paperback, 2020

Status

Available

Call number

823.92

Genres

Fiction

Collection

Children

Publication

Pushkin Children's Books (2020), 256 pages

Description

Juvenile Fiction. Juvenile Literature. HTML:Named to Oprah Magazine's Best Caribbean Books for Your 2021 reading list, imagination and adventure run wild in the most talked about middle grade debut of the year! A small village on a Jamaican island. A girl who doesn't remember the previous summer. A best friend who is no longer acting like one; a new girl who fills that hole in her heart. A summer of finding fallen mangos, creating made up games and dancing in the rain. Secrets she keeps from others...and herself. The courage to face the truth even in the toughest of storms. Inspired by the author's childhood experiences, When Life Give You Mangos is a celebration of island life as well as a rich, lyrical mystery. Read it...and don't spoil the unforgettable ending! A recommended read for classroom discussons and educators looking for diverse offerings. "A heartfelt and accessible debut about friendship, memory, and forgiveness." �??Tae Keller, author of Newbery Medal winner When You Trap a Tiger "A wonderful story with great heart, mystery, and insight. Kereen Getten is a bright new voice." �??Clare Vanderpool, author of Newbery Medal winner Moon Over Manifest and Printz Honor book Navigating Early "A heartwarming yet suspenseful debut about the strength of family, the turmoil of friendships lost and found, and most importantly, remembering who you are." �??Lynne Kelly, author of the Schneider award winner Song for a Whale… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member acargile

This novel is a 2022 Lone Star novel.

Clara and her best friend Gaynah argue a lot. They used to get along better. Gaynah gives away some of Clara's secrets and seems to hate her now. It's created angst between Clara and almost everyone else. They live on an island where weather can be dangerous and

deadly, but otherwise, life brings lots of freedom. Clara can run about the island. She cannot visit her uncle because the preacher says that her uncle is a witch doctor. Basically, the preacher has turned the people against her uncle. Clara also used to surf and was very talented. For the last year she has stopped surfing and doesn't remember what happened a year ago. Some people understand and treat Clara well while others have lost their patience and want Clara's parents to do something drastic. Gaynah certainly doesn't have any sympathy for Clara.

I vacillated with my opinion on this novel because I didn't feel like there was a plot. I also couldn't sit down and just read it. I read small pieces at a time and took over a week to read it. I think when you don't sit and read a book, you find it hard to engage with it. The novel becomes "boring." It's because I couldn't focus on it for any valuable length of time. So, ultimately, this novel drops lots of clues and finally reveals truth toward the end. Therefore, you need to look for clues and figure out what's going on before the truth reveals itself.

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