Kereen Getten

"... the story about a young girl who can't remember anything from her previous summer after a hurricane."--Provided by publisher.

When Life Gives You Mangos

Dee B. 

3.5 stars

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

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First off, big up Koffee on getting her song hyped up towards the end of the novel. If you haven't heard it yet, you should listen to "Toast. It's the most feel-good song and I could listen to it on repeat no problem.

Okay, now for the actual book.

It's always refreshing when I read something set in my neck of the woods (or close to it) as I don't have to suspend quite as much belief as I would for something set in say Europe. The country, island vibes was everything! It allowed me to be able to live my July/August vacation dreams vicariously through this book because 2020 has taken away beaches and pools and travel away from me (I hate It here!). 

Clara is sassy, a tad prone to overreacting, broken and imaginative. Gaynah is a critical, privileged centre of the friend group. The two have a falling out and we meet them in the aftermath of that, with Clara coming to terms with her memory loss and Gaynah throwing it in her face. But then a NEW GIRL arrives and the dynamic is threatened. No longer does Clara scramble to reconcile with Gaynah and Gaynah is seen to be struggling with this perceived abandonment. 

We follow Clara and the newcomer as the two formed a fast friendship, adventuring on the hill setting of our novel. It hurts to watch how Clara struggles to adjust to her new reality of missing memories while feeling like those who should be in her corner (the adults, her best friend, the pastor) aren't. You feel her confusion because no one seems to sympathize with how she's been feeling through it all. 

When you get to the revelation your heart breaks for both Gaynah and Clara and it all makes sense. Also, Eldorath deserves all rights. How dare the village treat him like that???

In my opinion, this book is what We Were Liars should have been lol. Middle-grade books are a hit or miss for me, but as soon as I read the first chapter, I knew I was gonna love this one.

Joy KBA

In my opinion, this book is what We Were Liars should have been lol. Middle-grade books are a hit or miss for me, but as soon as I read the first chapter, I knew I was gonna love this one.

 Also, I did NOT see that twist coming

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I will keep this review spoiler free, but I can say that I was not expecting the twist that this book had in-store, it really surprised me I have to say, My Only critique would be I wish that this book was longer just to see what happens next. 

This follows Clara who has lost her memory of a storm that happened the summer before. Because of this, she is usually teased on her island, even from her best friend, Gaynah. Something happened to her, and we don't really know what or why it's changed Clara.

A Middle Grade book that will draw you in with the charm and the descriptions that will leave you almost living on the island when you are reading. All the Characters where fantastic but Rudy & Clara where just the perfect friends. Rudy is such an imaginative character. Throughout the book it has excellent exploration of trauma, community, and childhood.

The imagery was amazing, and I truly felt transported to the village of sycamore, which is amazing in such a short book. Definitely worth the read!

Ian Brakspear

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I will keep this review spoiler free, but I can say that I was not expecting the twist that this book had in-store, it really surprised me I have to say, My Only critique would be I wish that this book was longer just to see what happens next. 

 

This follows Clara who has lost her memory of a storm that happened the summer before. Because of this, she is usually teased on her island, even from her best friend, Gaynah. Something happened to her, and we don't really know what or why it's changed Clara.

 

A Middle Grade book that will draw you in with the charm and the descriptions that will leave you almost living on the island when you are reading. All the Characters where fantastic but Rudy & Clara where just the perfect friends. Rudy is such an imaginative character. Throughout the book it has excellent exploration of trauma, community, and childhood.

 

The imagery was amazing, and I truly felt transported to the village of sycamore, which is amazing in such a short book. Definitely worth the read!

This is a wonderful middle grade novel about friendship, facing your fears, and the power and comfort of community. 

Clara can't remember what happened last summer and it's straining all of her relationships. Her friendships feel off, her parents are worried, and Pastor Brown has started talking about her the same way he talks about her reclusive uncle. But now there's a new girl in town who will hopefully help make this the best summer ever. 

I just loved this book. All of the relationships here - from friendships between peers to parent/child relationships to more extended family relationships - were so wonderfully written and touching. The entire community of Sycamore was just so delightful and I loved seeing some of the fractures from the past mended and everyone coming back together. Overall, this was just a really strong story for middle grade readers that I think is gonna have a big impact.

Emir Andrés Ibañez

Ambientada en una comunidad pequeña en Jamaica, este libro va sobre Clara, una niña de doce años que tiene un problema en la memoria. No recuerda qué es lo que sucedió el verano pasado.
Y ahora, este verano, todos los niños de la comunidad están emocionados por la llegada de una niña nueva a la isla, porque allí nunca pasa nada nuevo ni interesante.
Conocemos a la comunidad, el resto de los niños, sus padres, y algunos chismes locales, sobre todo esos que tienen que ver con el tío de Clara, ese señor que vive solo en medio de la jungla y que nunca baja al pueblo. También conocemos la relación de Clara con Gaynah, su mejor amiga quien, últimamente, no se estuvo comportando como una mejor amiga... y Clara se empieza a acercar a la chica nueva, desatando así una tensión entre ambas.
Era una historia de amigos, familia, comunidad, secretos... hasta que llegó el plot twist. Me sorprendió muchísimo. Salió de la nada, o al menos eso es lo que pensé, luego me di cuenta de que las pistas estuvieron siempre ahí, delante de mi.

El final me pareció un poquito apresurado y un tanto azucarado, pero me encantó. Tiene muchos elementos interesantes y se la puede considerar como una lectura confortable y feel good.

Jelke Lenaerts

I received a galley of this book through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. 


This could have been amazing but I was so dissapointed by it. It started of so promising. Honestly, for a long time I thought this was going to be a four star, the only thing missing were character motivations. However, then a twist happened and I didn't like it. I mean, it could have been something really impactful but it was so rushed and characters changed like the flip of a switch. It just ruined the first half for me as well. I don't know ... This could have been so good and important but it just fell flat.

Anna Leigh

Thank you Netgalley and Pushkin Press for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review ✨

This was such a nice surprise! The plot, the writing, the characters, everything was so so good and enjoyable. This delved into so many deep topics and I feel they were dealt with so well. The pacing was really nice and there was never a point where I felt bored reading this.

I think the story was so well thought out and that plot twist?? Wow I was so caught of guard and I LOVE it! I love when books take an unexpected turn and I loved that sense of tension with wondering what happened to Clara.

I really enjoyed this read and will definitely be picking up a physical copy when this is released!

Gabriela Roxana 

3.5

So comforting. Loved the twist 💞🤗

When Life Gives You Mangoes

Catalina Petre

This book caught my eye firstly because of the stunning cover and secondly because it takes place in Jamaica. Jamaica has a special place in my heart and I try to read books that take place on that amazing island. 
This short book follows Clara, a twelve-year-old girl that lives with her mum and dad in Sycamore, Jamaica, and it takes place during the summer holiday. From the very beginning we learn that something has happened the summer before, but not what as Clara has no memory of this evening. Everyone says that since the previous summer Clara has changed and she is unruly, and disobedient. She gets teased about it as well, especially by her best friend Gaynah. The two girls have a fall out and Clara decides to spend more time and go on adventure with the new comer to the island, Rudy. A girl born in England, but whose grandma lives on the island. 
One of their adventures the two girls, together with Calvin (the son of the pastor) and Gaynah, leads them to Eldorath’s house. Eldorath is Clara’s uncle, but also the person everyone in their town avoids because he can speak to the ghosts. Can he speak to the ghost? Read and find out. 
The night a tropical storm hits the island is also the night Clara and Gaynah get stuck with Elorath in his house on the hill, and Clara finally remembers what she has forgotten. This enables her to move forward and understand why her behaviour changed. 
I didn’t guess what the mystery was and it surprised me. 
This is a middle grade book, but it is well written and engaging even for an adult. I loved the story and the way it was written.

Fakornam Zevor 

Charlie

Renee Delcourt

Amelia C 

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

When Life Gives You Mangos

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