Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for approving me to read and review this book. I was absolutely captivated by the title and the book cover—honestly, I didn’t even read the blurb before I requested it. Oops! Well, it’s more than just this cover. This book had me choked up, angry, anxious, and excited throughout. Literally an emotional roller coaster. I loved it, and I hope you do too.
Summary:
Twelve-year-old Clara lives on an island that visitors call exotic. But there’s nothing exotic about it to Clara. She loves eating ripe mangos off the ground, running outside in the rain with her Papa during rainy season, and going to her secret hideout with Gaynah–even though lately she’s not acting like a best friend.
The only thing out of the ordinary for Clara is that something happened to her memory that made her forget everything that happened last summer after a
hurricane hit. Sometimes things come back to her in drips like a tap that hasn’t been turned off properly. Other times her Mama fills in the blanks…only she knows those aren’t her memories and it is hard feeling like she is not like everybody else.
But this summer is going to be different for Clara. Everyone is buzzing with excitement over a new girl in the village who is not like other visitors. She is about to make big waves on the island–and give Clara a summer she won’t forget.
My Thoughts:
A twelve-year-old girl, Clara, lives on a small, yet still known island called Sycamore. Often nothing juicy nor out-of-the-ordinary happens on this tiny island. Well, not until this new girl comes to their village. She looks different and she is the latest news. Gaynah is supposedly Clara’s best friend, but soon after the new girl arrives Gaynah changes. She is always making fun of Clara because she can’t remember some things that happened last summer after a hurricane hit their village. It’s like her memory comes in-and-out, but she can’t recall what is real and what is not? Soon, Clara comes face-to-face with many obstacles in their small village and one of those is coming to the realization of what indeed happened last summer and how it will change her moving forward.
Not only was this such a well-written middle grade book, but getting into the Clara’s thoughts and learning so much about Clara at the end had me feeling some type of way. I totally did not expect the end, and that’s saying a lot as I am an adult. I was trying to puzzle together what happened to her and when I did, it made me shake. But the final few pages left me crying, and I could not stop. A beautiful story of holding onto the past, and learning how to move forward.
About the Author
Kereen Getten grew up in Jamaica where she would climb fruit trees in the family garden and eat as much mango, guinep and pear as she could without being caught. She now lives in Birmingham with her family and writes stories about her childhood experiences. When Life Gives You Mangos is her debut novel. Visit her on Twitter @kereengetten, Instagram @Kezywrites, or her website https://kereengetten.com/
What do you think about this debut middle grade book? Would it be something you would pick up or recommend to a kiddo? Share with me below!
Xo, Sierra
Books. Iced Lattes. Blessed. 
I think most kids can relate to that best-friend-changing problem. It never gets old. This sounds like a sweet book. Thanks for the heads up.
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This book sounds absolutely excellent! The friendship problems, island setting, and mystery of Clara’s memories all sound like intriguing aspects. Thanks for the great review!
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