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When Life Gives You Mangoes
Book Review
This book was really heart-warming and you felt like you were actually in the story in sunny Jamaica
I admit I was not so sure about this book when I first saw what it was called.
But after reading the book, I totally regretted my initial reaction because mangoes are a really important part of the book; the title really fits the story.
This book was really heartwarming and you felt like you were actually in the story. The book was about a little girl, scared of the sea and who can’t remember what happened last summer.The plot twist was a game changer and was a key part in the book.
I recommend this book to readers aged 10 years or more, because it isn’t a super hero comic book, but a beautiful tale which makes you think rather than being full of non-stop action.
When you finish reading it, you’ll feel great!
About the Book
This story, set in Jamaica, is rich with descriptions about the Caribbean island, but it is the characters in the village community and the writer’s understanding of childhood friendships and their dynamics that will make this book so appealing to readers aged 10-14 years.
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.
When a quirky girl called Rudy arrives from England, everything starts to change. Gaynah stops acting like a best friend, while Rudy and Clara roam across the island and uncover an old family secret. As the summer reaches its peak and the island storms begin, Clara’s memory starts to return and she must finally face the truth of what happened last year.
Author
Kereen Getten
Kereen Getten is a Jamaican-born author now living in Birmingham, UK, whose books draw heavily on her childhood memories growing up in Jamaica. Her debut middle-grade novel When Life Gives You Mangoes earned critical acclaim and was shortlisted for multiple awards including the Branford Boase Award.
Reviewer Profile
Eva, 11
- Reviews: 4
- Likes: chocolate, art and animals
- Dislikes: climate change and cakes with too much icing
- Favourite Book: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K.Rowling
- Favourite Film: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
- Favourite Song: One Last Time by Ariana Grande
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