''A Mango-Shaped Space'' is a 2003

young adult novel Young adult fiction (YA) is a category of fiction written for readers from 12 to 18 years of age. While the genre is primarily targeted at adolescents, approximately half of YA readers are adults. The subject matter and genres of YA correlate ...

by the American author Wendy Mass. ''A Mango-Shaped Space'' is Mass's fourth fiction novel. The book received the

American Library Association The American Library Association (ALA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with 49,727 members ...

Schneider Family Book Award The Schneider Family Book Award is an award given by the American Library Association (ALA) recognizing authors and illustrators for the excellence of portrayal of the disability experience in literature for youth. There is a category for children ...

in 2004. The novel has since been nominated for, and received, a number of other awards.Mass, W. ''A Mango-Shaped Space: About the Book''. Retrieved fro
http://wendymass.com/mass-mango.htm
The hand lettering on the cover is by Billy Kelly. The book is recommended for grades 5-8. A 7-hour long audiobook version, narrated by

Danielle Ferland Danielle Ferland (born January 31, 1971) is an American actress and singer, best known for originating the role of Little Red Ridinghood in Stephen Sondheim's ''Into the Woods'' on Broadway. Career Ferland attended Frank Scott Bunnell High Sch ...

, has been produced. The plot focuses on Mia Winchell, a thirteen-year-old girl living with synesthesia, a jumbling of the senses. Words and sounds appear to have color for Mia. The novel is about Mia's experiences as a synesthete and the problems she faces in school and with her friends. Ultimately, Mia's family and peers are able to empathize with her and help her move forward.

Awards and Achievements

* Nominated for a 2007 Audie Award (for the book version) * Nominated for a 2008 Audie Award (for the audiobook version) * Received the 2004 Schneider Family Book Award in the middle-grade category by the American Library Association * Received the 2005 Great Lakes Great Book Award from the state of Michigan * Named in the 2006 YA Top 40 by the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association * VOYA Top Shelf selection 2003 * Autumn 2003 Children's BookSense 76 pick * Listed as a 2014 & 2005 New York Public Library's Best Books for the Teen Age * Bank Street Books top 35 children's books of the last 35 years

Reception

Critical reception for the book has been mixed. ''A Mango-Shaped Space'' has received reviews from '' Kirkus Reviews'', ''

Booklist ''Booklist'' is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. ''Booklist''s primary audience consists of libraries, educators, and booksellers. The magazine is av ...

'', ''

School Library Journal ''School Library Journal'' (''SLJ'') is an American monthly magazine containing reviews and other articles for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with ...

'', VOYA, ''

The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'' (also known as the ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'') is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area and has a large nati ...

'', ''Kliatt'', and ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of ...

''. Booklist praised that "the...narration lends immediacy and impact to Mia's color perceptions...a quietly unusual and promising offering". Publishers Weekly commented that the book has "well-defined characterizations, natural-sounding dialogue, and concrete imagery". The School Library Journal wrote "not all of the many characters are necessary to the story, and some of the plot elements go unresolved", and "Mia's parents are almost too perfect". Kirkus Reviews criticized that "the narrative...is rather overfull of details-a crazily built house, highly idiosyncratic family members, two boy interests, a beloved sick cat-which tend to compete for the reader's attention in much the same way as Mia's colors", and stated that this "flaw" is "not unusual with first novels". Kliatt criticized the plot, saying it isn't "half as interesting" as the "information on this rare condition". Kliatt also commented on Mia's "ups and downs", noting that they are "fairly ordinary". VOYA pointed out that this book is "probably not one that teens will pick up without coaxing". The audiobook was criticized by School Library Journal, who states that "narrator Danielle Ferland moves from character to character effortlessly, but without much deviation in voice inflections for the secondary players". On the other hand, AudioFile praised the work, saying it "brings alive a unique young person and her rare gift". ''A Mango-Shaped Space'' has been praised by several authors, including

Paula Danziger Paula Danziger (August 18, 1944 – July 8, 2004) was an American children's author. She wrote more than 30 books, including her 1974 debut '' The Cat Ate My Gymsuit'', for children's and young adult audiences. At the time of her death, all her ...

Karen Cushman Karen Cushman (born October 4, 1941) is an American writer of historical fiction. Career Cushman's 1995 novel '' The Midwife's Apprentice'' won the Newbery Medal for children's literature, and her 1994 novel '' Catherine, Called Birdy'' ...

Meg Cabot Meggin Patricia Cabot (born February 1, 1967) is an American novelist. She has written and published over 50 novels of young adult and adult fiction and is best known for her young adult series ''Princess Diaries'', which was later adapted by W ...

, and

Judy Blume Judith Blume (née Sussman; born February 12, 1938) is an American writer of children's, young adult and adult fiction. Blume began writing in 1959 and has published more than 25 novels. Among her best-known works are ''Are You There God? It's Me ...

Publication details

*2003, USA, Little, Brown, and Company (), Pub date April 2003, hardback (first edition) *2005, USA, Little, Brown, and Company (), Pub date October 2005, paperback

References

External links

Memo from Sean A. Day, Ph.D.
A short review of the book by Sean A. Day, PhD, President of the

American Synesthesia Association The American Synesthesia Association (ASA) is a not-for-profit academic and public society whose mission is to foster and promote the education and the advancement of knowledge of the phenomena of synesthesia, a neurological condition in which stim ...

. {{DEFAULTSORT:Mango-Shaped Space 2003 American novels American young adult novels Novels by Wendy Mass Synesthesia