When Life Gives You Mangoes by debut author Kereen Getten is about twelve year old Clara who lives in a small village on an island with her parents. She lives a simple life, eating ripe mangoes that have fallen from trees, running outside in the rainy season and escaping to a secret hideaway with Gaynah, the girl who has been her best friend since she was small.

But then everything changes when a new girl called Rudy arrives from England. Gaynah no longer acts like the best friend she once was and the two girls find themselves arguing where once there would have been laughter. So Clara finds herself gravitating more and more towards Rudy, the two girls roaming across the island as an old family secret begins to emerge.

Clara is puzzled to find herself unable to remember anything from the previous summer, which causes her to clash with Gaynah when she teases her about it. What happened last year? And why can’t Clara remember? As the island storms begin, Clara’s foggy memory begins to clear and she must finally face up to the truth of what happened to change her from the happy go lucky girl she once was.

I was intrigued by this beautifully written story and had no idea in which direction the story would go. The truth, when it came, took me completely by surprise and shocked me to the core. Although marketed as a book for children, I think the themes of loss and friendship in When Life Gives You Mangoes would appeal to readers of all ages. Kereen Getten’s writing is powerfully emotive, with warm and realistic characters that come to life on the page. A truly captivating story that stays with you long after the final page has been turned.

An impressive debut that I would recommend.

Having already requested this book on NetGalley (let’s be honest, almost entirely because of the beautiful cover), I was so excited to see that Pushkin Children’s Books were arranging a blog tour for its release and jumped at the chance to get involved by writing this review!


Synopsis

Summer in Sycamore, Jamaica is always predictable for Clara. She’ll spend it running around outside with her friends, hiding out with her best friend Gaynah and eating the ripe mangoes that have fallen from the trees.

However, this year is different – Clara can’t remember what happened last summer, causing cracks to appear in her friendship with Gaynah. Then, a new girl, Rudy, arrives on the island and suddenly Clara doesn’t need to depend on Gaynah anymore. Together, Rudy and Clara explore the island, uncovering the truth behind one of its biggest mysteries, and, as the summer storm hits, discover what really happened last summer.

Review

Kereen Getten’s beautiful writing and accessible style make this book such a delight to read. It is packed full of arresting descriptions of Sycamore and its villagers that bring the setting and characters to life in a way that feels really authentic and realistic. This is aided by the strong voice of Clara throughout the book as you experience Sycamore through her eyes, really drawing you into not just the action, but also her world, with her. Clara is also incredibly likeable, and you can’t help but root for her throughout the book as she navigates a difficult world in which she can’t remember what happened last summer.

The relationships in this book were complex and written fantastically, and I really enjoyed seeing the relationships between the various adults in the book through Clara’s eyes as she comes of age. It was also really nice to read a children’s book in which the main character’s parents are present and supportive. It is often the case in children’s literature that the absence of parents is used to give the main character freedom but Getten’s writing was so effective that Clara having so much freedom even with her parents present made complete sense.

My favourite part of the book was absolutely the big reveal of what happened last summer. It is one of the best and most unexpected reveals I’ve ever read and, when I finished the book, I found myself flicking back through it to try and spot all of the clues I’d missed (which turned out to be a lot!). I was so impressed by quite how cleverly Getten had set it up as it is so hard to write a book with a truly unexpected twist, but it completely took me by surprise. I also really enjoyed getting to the bottom of what happened to Clara’s estranged uncle, Eldorath, and think older middle grade readers will really enjoy the mystery.

Overall, this book is a great read for both children and adults alike and deals sensitively with themes such as loss and grief in a way that is entirely appropriate for its intended audience. I can’t wait to read what Kereen Getten writes next!

Rating: 4/5

"Something happened that made me forget everything that happened last summer." 

Nothing exciting ever happens in the small town of Sycamore. And since the incident with the witch-doctor, no-one new ever comes to visit. A summer the same as every other is stretching out in front of Clara. Until new girl Rudy arrives from London and changes everything. Now things are looking like they might be exciting after all. It would be perfect, if only Clara could remember what happened last summer that made her too scared to go into the water… 

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book as it's been a while since I read children's fiction.  
 
I read it quickly, immersed in the tropical setting and scary yet innocent world of young Clara. Her every emotion was palpable and there were many times my heart broke for this child. I wanted to help her, even if I had no idea what was causing her pain. The author captures the fun, freedom and innocence of childhood on a small island while also looking at the fear, frustration and pain that children also experience. She examines topics such as friendship, family, mental health, trauma and forgiveness through an age-appropriate lens that I think will make young readers feel seen.  

Charming, heartfelt, thoughtful and mysterious, this is a beautifully crafted debut and a wonderful story for the young reader in your life.

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 was such a delight to read. From a young girl's perspective who can't remember anything about last summer and keeps wondering where her sudden phobia around going into water is stemming from, this contemporary rightfully relies on character narration, emotional push, and a mysterious undertone. The father-daughter relationship was one of my favorites; in fact, the entire support the main character got from her family was lovely to witness. The twist was certainly surprising and the small town setting was perfect to create an atmosphere parallel to the mystery. Emotionally, the themes of grief, trauma, and friendship echoed very well. Overall, I recommend this!

I have been looking to escape to warmer climes for a little while now and I knew that this beautifully jacketed middle-grade story would more than scratch the itch. This gorgeous book is from Pushkin Press, a publisher who consistently produce wonderful stories from all over the world and who I am completely in love with.

12-year-old Clara lives with her parents in a tiny Jamaican community. She spends her days playing on the warm golden beaches with her friends, namely her best friend Gaynah, eating mangos right from the ground and occasionally surfing the waves with her dad. Last summer, something happened to Clara’s memory and she can barely remember a thing. Now, Gaynah isn’t being too nice to her, a new girl from London is in town and Clara may just figure out why her memories of the previous summer are so fractured…

The island is so beautifully and vividly described that it wasn’t too difficult to find myself there. I could almost feel the sun beating down on me as I followed Clara around the village. The spirit of the community and each of its inhabitants were so real. I really picked up on the vibe that if something big ever happened in the village, everyone would know about it, which is why I was desperate to know what had happened to cause Clara’s trauma.

Although she seems small and meek, Clara can certainly get her point across and make a noise when something triggers her. She isn’t afraid to stand up for herself and anyone else who she feels needs it. I really cared about her and wanted her to get to the root of what was causing her so much pain and fear but to do it in a gentle understanding way, which I was afraid wasn’t going to happen at one point. 

Rudy is the new girl in the community who is visiting her grandmother, Ms Gee, the town’s eccentric old lady, for the summer. Rudy is bubbly, flamboyant and seemingly fearless and the perfect friend for Clara. She gently coaxes Clara out of her shell and encourages her to do things that previously scared her -such as take a trip up the hill to her uncle Eldorath’s house, which everyone in the village is afraid of doing. I would love to have a Rudy spin-off novel, showcasing her life as a wannabe star in London and her wonderful summers with Clara on the island.

There is a strong theme of embracing difference and this is something that shows itself in many different characters. It’s most obvious in Rudy, who experiences some level of disapproval from her own grandmother and by extension the community, when she first arrives on the island. She is from a different culture and her reluctance to fit in seems to rub a few traditionalists up the wrong way. However, this fear of difference is also very clear in the island’s treatment of Eldorath. Incredibly dark rumours have been circulating about him for years and as a result, he has been shut out from island life with no visitors other than his brother, Clara’s father. I assumed he was responsible for some kind of truly horrendous crime but when it all came out, I was shocked to realise that wasn’t the case.

I don’t think a review of this book would be complete without mentioning the truly shocking twist that happens about 85% in. A supernatural element creeps its way in and I wasn’t prepared for it at all. However when it was revealed, some things began making sense and it was almost a case of ‘how did I not suspect something like this?’. Getten is clearly a master at burying the truth in plain sight!

When Life Gives You Mangos is a very unique, immersive story of family, community and friendship. It celebrates difference in terms of personality, lifestyle and culture, which I really appreciated. The fantastic setting and highly gripping intrigue will keep you hooked and possibly have you easily devouring it in one sitting.

Clara a twelve-year-old girl lives on the island of Sycamore with her parents, a place where no one new ever comes in, except the visiting tourists who find it ‘exotic’. A new girl arrived this summer, but Clara is skeptical of the first impression she would make as all the kids in the island assume Clara changed from last summer. 

Clara seems to have forgotten everything that happened last summer, though the memories keep coming in as flashes. From dreaming to become a surfer and go surf the whole world, Clara is now dead scared to even put her feet in water. What happened last summer, did Clara really lose her memory of the past and how does the new girl Rudy change Clara’s life form the rest of the story.

The backdrop of the island, the close knitted neighborhood, the innocence of the kids, especially the simple and silly games they keep playing, the way they fight, form groups — every single nuance is captured beautifully by the author. The hill, sea, banana grove, the entire island’s picturesque backdrop is exquisitely described by the author making the reader yearn to go on a beach holiday. 

Clara and Rudy’s pretend games are impressive as they replay a variety of scenarios. From page one the reader would be curious to know the reason for Clara’s lost memory and as the truth is unveiled it will shock the reader, the twist is the most unexpected, though there are very few clues dropped. 

Middle grade fiction can be tricky, and the author succeeds in spinning a narrative that appeals to all age groups. The cover is extremely well-designed. Pick this one to read a warm story about friendship and loss.

A great story, with a poignant twist! 

Clara loves to surf, but she hasn't been able to make heself go into water since last summer, and she can't remember what happened to make her so afraid. Everyone in the village has been treating her differently since then too, even her best friend Gaynah, who really doesn't seem to like her much anymore. We follow along with Clara as she struggles to remember what happened and as the village elders insist there's something wrong with her.

The story is really well written, and you really get a feeling of the setting, the heat and the storms. The emotional payoff is strong and well executed, and the mysteries kept me guessing until the reveal. My only quibble would be that I was a little confused by a few of the other characters' actions or comments earlier in the story once I knew the twist. Some of them seemed a little strange to me, but since it's been a year since the accident I guess they probably would be used to 'handling' Clara, and act accordingly.

I definitely recommend this book, and will be recommending it in store!

𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: 5/5 STARS ⁣
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𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦: Clara⁣
⁣
𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗔𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗦: I initially read this book because I was intrigued by the idea of a contemporary middle grade book that dealt with mental health. I love a lot of MG books, fantasy, humour, mystery, contemporary and while many of them deal with tough themes, I’d yet to read a book that so vividly deals with the idea of mental health ⁣
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WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU MANGOS is that book. It is a story of a girl who deals with changing friendships, growing up, losing and gaining people and the impact of grief on a individual’s mind. Clara is a fascinating character to read about, an unreliable narrator almost. The way in which Kereen Getten makes you love Clara is phenomenal, you’re rooting for her throughout .⁣
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The setting of this book sucked me in from the very beginning. The island, the hurricanes, the sticky summer, all of it. It was like I was being transported into the story and standing beside Clara. The reveals that happen by the end of the book (no spoilers here!) will leave you shocked. The depth and the sheer intelligence that this book posses makes it a ground-breaking read in upper MG fiction. It’s a book that will stay with you for a long time, nestled in your mind and heavy in your heart.⁣
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𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗢𝗥: readers looking for an upper middle grade novel that deals with mental health themes.

When Life Gives You Mangoes is a Middle Grade novel set in Jamaica, and in short, it’s wonderful! I’ve never read a middle-grade novel before but this has so much depth and it really captured my heart.

Clara and her best friend Gaynah live in the small village of Sycamore, where nothing much really happens. We join Clara as she’s trying to remember something that happened last summer. All the knows is that she used to love the water, and now she’s afraid, and her friends and family are acting strangely around her… What I loved about this novel was the bringing in of all age groups across the village –and how the events of the summer before have rippled across the community. I loved that Clara’s parents were supportive of her, with the love between the family obviously strong but subtly described, too, with simple actions showing their bond.

This is a novel not only seen from a child’s eyes, but with a deep understanding of a small community and the relationships, prejudices and bonds within it. Characters such as grumpy Mrs Gee, Pastor Brown and Clara’s Uncle Eldorath, whom everyone avoids because he can speak to ghosts – the relationships are complicated and real, even as the story is told through Clara’s eyes. As Clara struggles to regain her memories, a new girl, Rudy, arrives from England. Gaynah becomes more and more distant, teasing Clara about not being able to remember, and arguments between them become more frequent. 

Sycamore felt so vivid to me, and the backdrop of the weather and approaching storms really added to the story.  The twist at the end – I really, really did not see it coming, but it made so much sense! Bravo Kereen Getten on building up the suspense so well, yet giving nothing away. 

When Life Gives You Mangoes is such an evocative, wonderful book that’s perfect to lose yourself in for an afternoon. I’d recommend to every age!

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???

This book is quite possibly the most unexpected treasure I’ve read this year - this may be middle-grade fiction but don’t let the kids hog this beautiful story! 
Twelve year old Clara lives a simple life with her family and friends in a small island village. Simple except she can’t remember what happened to her last year, other than the fact she’s suddenly scared of the water that she used to love and she finds herself getting angry all the time. It takes a new friend to bring back Clara’s joyful side and help her uncover the truth of what happened last year...
I can’t say anymore than this, because there are some MAJOR twists - I was absolutely not expecting the ending and can’t get over how well Getten laid the foundations without giving anything away! Aside from the big shocks though, this was just one of the warmest, most poignant and beautiful stories I’ve read in a long time and from now on I won’t assume that middle-grade fiction isn’t for me like some kind of idiot! I loved the setting, which took me away to some much needed sunshine on a dreary day, and the characters were a diverse bunch, from the cranky old Mrs Gee to the lively and imaginative Rudy. The relationship between Clara and her father really warmed my heart, and truth be told I found myself shedding a few tears of joy as I finished this book - it’s a beautiful exploration of loss and friendship. My only regret is not having a physical copy as the cover is so stunning, but that can soon be resolved!

When Life Gives You Mangoes is a riveting debut middle-grade novel set on a small Caribbean island. This book explores a variety of important themes ranging from friendships, community, the influence of religion and superstition in Caribbean communities, and the impact of trauma on children. Packed with charming scenes of island life and peeks into childhood on a small island, this book is a perfect selection for those looking to read more culturally diverse middle grade literature. I can’t wait to read whatever Kereen Getten writes next.

Twelve year old Clara can't remember the events of last summer and is bothered by her lack of memory, especially when her best friend Gaynah and the other children tease her, she finds herself acting out and isolating herself from her friends. Enter Rudy, a new girl who befriends Clara and together they have the best adventures exploring Clara's reclusive Uncle Eldorath's house. Here Eldorath helps Clara recover her memories and come to terms with what happened last summer..

First off, I'm sorry that I've been so vague with the storyline but a big part of this story is the mystery of the previous summer and the impact it has had on Clara, I didn't want to give ANYTHING away! The author has executed her plot so well it would be an shame for me to spoil it but let me tell you a surprising twist is involved!! 

With themes of childhood friendship, family and community this book was a joy to read, I had it read within a day because it just flowed so well. I was so intrigued by the mystery of Clara's forgotten summer and didn't see the twist coming at all! The dramas of childhood were written so well, taking me back to the fallings out and making up that we all go through as children and I loved that the community all pulled to together like a family when it mattered the most. Although aimed predominantly at children, I feel Getten's story will appeal to all ages, and I'm grateful that I got the chance to read this one. It was sweet, uplifting and in the best way, not at all like I was expecting!

This was quick-moving, intriguing book that I think middle grade readers will love.  Clara is a curious, adventurous young girl that I think many kids will be able to relate to.  I loved that there was an air of mystery to the story, and a twist that caught me by surprise, that I think middle graders will grab onto as well.  I think that some children will also gain a perspective that it's different from their own, while others may be able to find similarities to their own lives in this story.  Overall this was a well done book.

i absolutely loved this book, the characters, the plot, the atmosphere, It was such a quick and easy read and i was invested from the very beginning. I really was not expecting the plot twist but it made so much sense once i thought about it. Will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.

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.

This is a gorgeous middle grade novel that takes you to the beaches and towns of a small tropical island, where Clara and her friends live. Their home is the small town of Sycamore where the children fill their days with inventing games and teasing each other about the adults around them. There are so many interesting characters in the story - Ms Gee, Eldorath and Pastor Brown - that play important roles in the lives of the children and the town. They all treat the children differently, but slowly you realise that something has happened to Clara the previous summer that caused her to lose her memory. 

It's not often you read a middle grade book where the setting is so well created and there is such complexity and depth to the plot. I loved how the reveal of what had happened to Clara was just dropped into the story and how all the strands slowly wove together.

Pushkin press are one of my favourite publishers for children as they produce such original and rich books - this is no exception and I'd recommend it without hesitation. I'll be picking up a paperback copy for the library as soon as it is published.

A beautifully evocative story about the power of friendship and community, with a mystery that keeps you guessing and an unexpected twist. 
With a beautiful setting and a community of characters who will touch your heart, Kereen Getten deals with friendship, families and shifting relationships with compassion and skill. At the heart of this story is a message of acceptance and compassion with more than a nod to the power of imagination and friendship. We loved it.

Well, I am honestly not sure what to say about this one!

Have you ever read a book, that you know you have enjoyed but thought there were these subtle nuances that maybe you didn't quite get the beauty of? This is how I felt with this one. Like I know its a good book, and it's a good story, but I am not quite sure if it was for me? I have bought the paperback though and will definitely give this a re read in the future!