Full review will be on my blog from September 30th.

This book is something else. I wasn’t expecting the story that I got, honestly. I knew When Life Gives You Mangoes was a story about friendship and loss, but that didn’t prepare me for the absolutely beautiful middle-grade read that it was. The initial hook, knowing right away that Clara has lost her memories of last summer, but that we don’t know what she’s forgotten or why she forgot it, had me page-turning fast, desperate to have Clara recover her memories and desperate for me to find out what had happened and why she couldn’t set foot in the water.

It was fascinating to read, knowing that everyone around her knew what was wrong and what had happened, but that Clara was struggling to piece it together, and it made me really root for her from the start as she tried to navigate a world that knew more about her than she did. It’s Clara’s relationships with others, and the relationships she sees around her, that are the true treasure of this book. When Life Gives You Mangoes looks at friendships, and how they can guide you out of the past or bury you there. It also looks a lot at how trauma impacts relationships, how hard it can be to let go even when that’s the only option.

There’s a moment most of the way through this book that honestly made my heart skip a beat. It was a gasp out loud moment, which doesn’t happen to me very often in middle-grade books. I loved the way it made all the pieces fall together, explaining everything that’s been going on and the reason that Clara doesn’t remember things. I honestly think this is going to be one that I reread, because I think there’s going to be so many poignant things that show up on the reread. The writing in this book is as lush and beautiful as the settings, and so vivid that it made island life that I’ve never experienced seem so real that I felt like I was running through the banana grove with Clara. I highly recommend this one, it’s a perfect read with so much depth packed into two hundred pages.

This book completely blew me away. Many other reviewers here have spoken about the twist in this book, and while I did see it coming (I've read something similar) I still really loved the execution of it. It does also change the course of the book in a way I didn't expect.

I also adored the setting of this book. I've never read a book set in Jamaica before but this book painted such a beautiful picture of the island.

This book deals with family, friends, changes in relationships, and grief in such a beautiful way. I'm not a very prolific MG reader but this book has absoluutely won me over to them.

I'm not carrying books on the bus, so am catching up on #NetGalley proofs - today I finished 'When Life Gives You Mangoes' by @kereengetten. Inspired by her childhood in Jamaica, it is a wonderful story about friendship, family, & community...& forgiveness, fears, & memories. https://t.co/d9NoWwlUnY

Thought this was a lovely delightful read. I was hooked in by Clara's story from the start and could not wait to uncover the twists and turns in the book. A real community feel with loss, grief and friendship all thrown in together. Perfect middle-grade read. Thank you for the opportunity to read this one!

I read this delightful book in one sitting; it had me hooked from the very beginning and will stay with me long after I’ve finished reading it. The main character, Clara, is very likeable, the setting is incredible, and all of the characters are intriguing and bring you into the story. I don’t want to give any spoilers away but the book has a big twist that you really don’t see coming; the book explores friendship, family and community and leaves you wanting more. A perfect read for 9-12yr olds and I look forward to reading again with my children

12 year old Clara lives in Sycamore and is spending the long days of summer playing with her friends, including her best friend Gaynah. The story follows Clara through these days, introducing you to life in Sycamore; however, all the time, you are aware that something has happened that has changed Clara but she is having trouble with her memory and cannot remember what occurred.

Set in Jamaica, the backdrop is that of glorious sunshine, sandy beaches and small-town life on the island; however, you also get a glimpse of the effects of a tropical storm and I feel that the contrasts in weather reflect Clara and her varying emotions: she is clearly a young girl with a lot of anger and she really isn’t sure why, or how to control it.

Towards the end of the book there is a twist in the story that made me gasp and I defy anybody to say they predicted it - I know I didn’t! It helps to explain everything g and draws you even further into the plot.

Friendship and community are at the heart of this novel, but there is also a strong message about accepting yourself and letting go of the past. It portrays Clara and her struggles so well and with such compassion (using the first person narration certainly helps with this).

There’s a real war that to this book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

I am unsure what I expected from this book, but it wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. I really enjoyed it. The twist was unexpected and shattered where I thought the story was going.
A story of family and friends, a close community, secrets and assumptions.

I haven’t read middle grade books and I now know that I am totally missing out.

This was such a heartwarming story about friendship, loss, bullying, grief, family and community. Clara has lost her memory from a year ago and is not in talking terms with her best friend Gaynah. She then befriends a new girl Rudy but Gaynah is always there with them even though they are not talking properly.
The mystery was so unexpected and absolutely loved it. I liked how close and helpful the community is. As this book isn’t very long I finished it in one sitting; it’s gripping, sweet and intriguing. Initially I read this book because of the name and the cover and so glad to say it didn’t disappoint.

So, if you want to read anything middle grade for yourself or to expand your children’s knowledge then I highly recommend it. I will definitely be reading more middle grade books. Thankyou Netgalley and Pushkin Press for the e-arc.

This book was definitely enjoyable and I can see it become lots of readers' new favourite. For me it wasn't the best middle grade I've ever read. I enjoyed the story and the premise, and I thought the intrigue was good, but I didn't love the writing style. I felt that the chapters moved quite slowly and I didn't really like that. I was always hoping for the plot to pick up but ultimately it didn't feel like there was much of a plot.
I know the author said that this book was about friendship, and I can see that she really tried with this book, but for me I couldn't really connect with any of the friendships. In fact I couldn't really connect with any of the characters besides the main character.
I also found the ending a little abrupt.
But overall and enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend this to younger readers, even if I personally had a couple of issues with it.

Well I wasn’t expecting that...this book kept me reading and I would never have guessed the ending. I will definitely be recommending to my pupils! A great read.p

A story about friendship, about fear and loss, and the trauma that comes along with it. I enjoyed reading about Clara's island life, about this tight-knit community that is so woven around itself that everything impacts everyone.

I liked reading about Clara. She is the vessel that the story is told through and she is a brilliant representation of the struggle of prepubescent. She lashes out, she struggles with her emotions, she believes stories told but she is outspoken and strong and isn't afraid of speaking out when its needed.

The way her relationships are displayed are very honest. The struggles with her parents, the barrier of friendship groups, the ease of make belief that brings people together. Kereen Getten shows the good and the bad of friendships and is honest about it.

I read this book in less than a day. It's a quick read that really feels tight and full of care in the type of story that is being told. And that plot twist honestly surprised me. I really couldn't have predicted it and I enjoyed that moment of not figuring out, and yet looking back and seeing the signs. It's around here where - slight spoilers I guess - that a deeper notion is displayed and I think handled really well.

When Life Gives You Mangoes is a book you can't put down. As an adult, I enjoyed it immensely and I can see the benefits that this story would bring to a young girl, looking at someone like her, whether it in appearance, in location, or personal struggle.

A poignant story of friendship, loss and the importance of family. When Life Gives You Mangoes is a cleverly written book with some unexpected surprises for the reader.

The story follows Clara, a twelve year old girl with mysterious memory loss. Living in Jamaica, we follow Clara and learn about life on the island: her daily routines, her friendships and the hardships she faces. We are left wondering about her changing friendships, her enigmatic uncle and her problematic behaviour.

It is very different from anything I’ve read in middle grade fiction before and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I can honestly say I could not predict the ending and I had to take a minute to collect myself after the unveiling of some of Kereen Getten’s twists!

I will definitely add it to my Year 5 bookshelf, although the themes and plot line may be a little too complex for some. I would recommend this book for readers aged 10 and over. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.

WOW, WOW, WOW! THE TWIST! I absolutely adored this book, I was hooked from the very first page, so much so that I devoured it in just a couple of hours.
Clara is a loveable, strong female chracater, whom you immediately champion. She is the kind of character you want to be your friend- witty, straight-talking and kind-hearted. Whilst reading, I could easily imagine myself walking around the village with Clara, so beautiful is the description.
I must admit this is the first children's fiction I have read in a while and I was unsure what to expect but this really blew adult's fiction out of the water, it has been a long time since I have been so enthralled in a book, bravo Kereen Getten.
I absolutely cannot wait to purchase this for my classroom and for my equally book-loving niece!

I wish I would have enjoyed this more. The premise surrounding Clara's life sounded promising but I wasn't a fan of the 'supernatural' element that was included and especially not how her uncle was portrayed because it felt to me very stigmatizing. Especially in middle-grade novels I'm always hesitant when mental health is portrayed with the help of supernatural elements like being able to talk to the dead because even though it wasn't the intention of the author, I didn't like how the uncle was ostracized for what he saw that no one else could see and that Clara unknowingly followed into his footsteps.
That being said, I did like the prose and the friendship between Rudy and Clara as well as Clara's parents, so I'd love to read something else by Getten in the future.

Thank you for the ARC which I received in exchange for an honest review.

Kereen’s wonderful MG debut fully immerses you into the beautiful island of Jamaica and the intriguing life of Clara and her troubled relationship with her best friend Gaynah.

Intwined within their turbulent friendship runs the slightly menacing mystery of why Clara can’t remember the events of last summer and why Gaynah has begun teasing and alienating her.

Kereen adeptly captures the frustration of how friendships change as we grow and change and masterfully twists the storyline to ultimately surprise, entice and please the reader.

I adored this book and had to read in one sitting. Fantastic.

This is a very lovely middle grade I found the story incredibly easy to read and interesting.

I think everybody was talking about this book and built the hype up for me so I went in with a bit of concern as I don't usually enjoy hyped books as much as usual... However I will admit this book was one that I found to be worthy of the hype.

The big twist that happens in this book was shocking emotional and I'm so glad that this story came into a middle grade.

The only reason it didn't hit 5-stars for me was because I felt that the revelation came a bit late and that there was a lack of build-up had it come into the story earlier and had more exploration of emotions I think it would have hit 5 Stars for me.

A beautiful story about friendship, change and moving past your fears.

A new girl has moved to town, Clara's best friend isn't speaking to her, and she can't remember what happened last summer. As the new summer's events unfold, Clara will learn about friendship, herself, and moving on from dark events of the past.

Getten explores the complexity of friendship, of arguing with those you love, but still valuing them more than anything, in a way that feels completely real and absorbing. Friends are everything when you are Clara's age, and When Life Gives You Mangoes reflects this throughout. Clara also has to learn about making new friends and opening yourself up to new people, in way that will feel real and relatable to everyone who reads.

Sycamore is a hot, vivid setting which will will add some much-needed summer to your autumn. This close knit community is almost a character in its own right. The story celebrates the importance of community, of coming together, forgiveness, and moving on.

I've struggled to write this review as I wanted to keep it spoiler free - When Life Gives You Mangoes has a really, really, really good twist that had made me want to start the entire story all over again.

It is a special, lovely story that I would recommend without hesitation.

Thank you so much Pushkin Children's Books for sending me an advanced copy to review via NetGalley.

Well this was gorgeous; I read it in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down! It’s written so beautifully I feel like I can really see Sycamore in my mind, and all its wonderful residents - I want to go there! The twist near the end came absolutely out of the blue and was not what I was expecting at all - it blew me away! After that though I was a little confused by the timeline and timing of things but it wasn’t a major deal. I love love love Rudy! Thank you to Pushkin Press for granting me a review copy through NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the ARC. I really enjoyed this book and found it very atmospheric and engrossing, and the underlying plot was well written and there were some definite surprises. I did not see the main twist coming at all and I wanted to go back and re-read once I'd found everything out. I loved the establishment of Sycamore as well and the details of the village; it really felt like every character had a part to play and there was a deep sense of community and family. The description was very vivid and colourful and I loved seeing the world through Clara's eyes. I don't usually read middle grade but I am trying to read more and this was a fantastic example of how engaging and thrilling middle grade novels can be for kids as well as adults. Well done Kereen Getten!

When Life Gives You Mangoes' is story about a long, hot summer on a tropical island, going on adventures, falling out, and making friends. However...all is not as it seems.

Twelve-year-old Clara lives on a Carribean island in a village called 'Sycamore'.' She spends her time playing 'Pick Leaf' and sharing stories with her best friend Gaynah in their secret hideout in the Mango trees but Gaynah hasn't been very nice to her recently.

Something has happened to Clara.something traumatic...and she can't remember anything of last summer. She struggles to put together the missing pieces, suffering terrible flashbacks.

"Sometimes things come back 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."

Right from the very first chapter, the intrigue is built when we discover Clara's uncle Eldorath, 'the man who sees ghosts' has been branded a witch doctor by the local Pastor and was driven out of the community. We are also introduced to the mysterious new girl who has just arrived on the island 'with her two Afro buns and cat's-eye sunglasses like a celebrity.'

'When Life Gives You Mangoes' is a real page turner as the suspense builds and we get closer to finding what happened to Clara. I was continuously puzzling over different possibilities and I had to resist the temptation on more than one occasion to flick ahead as I couldn't wait to find out! I'm being careful not to reveal too much but the twist at the end of Chapter 20 is utterly staggering! I did not see it coming at all. I had to then go back and re-read Chapters and then I spotted the subtle hints and everything made sense.

This book is a wonderfully exciting opportunity to share a story from another culture with Upper Primary pupils. The fact that it is written by a BAME author, based on the small Jamaican fishing village she grew up in, makes every detail completely authentic. I absolutely adored the development of the island setting; the bustling markets, fishermen landing fresh catches on golden sandy beaches and beach bars open late into the night hosting live bands. There was also inclusion of the island's colonial history; the old plantation house and Fort Charlotte, the look-out point with her cannons by the sea. Equally delightful are the details about culture; the Afro haircuts, delicious dishes of Akee and Saltfish and the strong family bonds. The strong sense of community and wanting to well-standing within it is also a theme that runs throughout.

Having married into a Gambian family, I enjoyed seeing the similarities between West African and West Indian culture, including the matriarchal mothers, countless cousins, huge family parties and how family members have travelled abroad to settle in Europe and America with gifts and money being sent 'back home.'

As well as the entirely gripping mystery and suspense, 'When Life Gives You Mangoes' allows children to experience Afro-Caribbean culture and explore some of the history of colonial Britain. This was a fantastic debut by Kereen Getten and I look forward to reading more of her work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pushkin Press publishing for giving me a digital copy to read in advance in exchange for my review.