Nothing much happens in Sycamore, the small village where Clara lives - at least that's how it looks. She loves eating ripe mangoes fallen from trees, running outside in the rainy season and escaping to her secret hideout with her best friend Gaynah. There's only one problem - she can't remember anything that happened last summer...
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When Life Gives You Mangoes is an action-packed middle grade novel filled with friendships, families and full of mystery. 12-year-old Clara can't remember what happened last summer, all she knows is that she is now considered 'different' to the other children in Sycamore and her Mama and Papa continue to argue in hushed tones about what's best for her. Her friendship with best friend, Gaynah, is now filled with petty arguments and she no longer longs to surf the sea as she used to. When new girl, Rudy, arrives fresh from England, Clara is determined to befriend her and start afresh with less judgment, but the past doesn't always want to stay hidden and as their friendship blooms, Clara's memories begin to return.
Kereen Getten effortlessly weaves multiple plot strands throughout When Life Gives You Mangoes which makes it very difficult to put down. There is constant action, whether from the main storyline or the other subplots which support it and for a relatively short novel there is so much packed in. I loved that at every point in the story some mystery was being unravelled, you just weren't always sure which parts of the jigsaw puzzle would match up.
Clara, Gaynah, Rudy and their friends are all believable pre-teenage characters, each with their own problems and backstories that continually stand in the way of their relationship with each other. From self-esteem, unusual family relationships and boy trouble, Getten covers it all in a realistic way, showcasing the lows and highs of friendships and the impact they can have on such a small surrounding community.
Equally portrayed are the family relationships which are so integral to a large part of the story. I particularly enjoyed Clara's relationship with her Mama and Papa. It is equal parts angsty teenager who doesn't want to be told what to do and little girl who needs their love and support. As the plot develops so does their relationship and I enjoyed seeing how the change in setting half way through changed the relationship, as well as how the opinions of the community around them really affected the family dynamics.
I can't write a review of When Life Gives You Mangoes without mentioning THE twist of 2020. I haven't read a book that's made me gasp as much in a long time. I did not see it coming, and of course I won't be spoiling it but when you read it - you'll know!
Kereen Getten has written a delightful story of friendship and family that would be perfect for those who enjoy realistic relationships and want a light-hearted read that's subtly packed with important messages from start to finish.
A brilliantly-woven tale of one girl's memories and the impact they have on the surrounding community.
This post is part of the When Life Gives You Mangoes blog tour with Pushkin Press. For other reviews of this fantastic story, check out the other bloggers below!
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