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A Mango-Shaped Space

Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available
An award-winning book from the New York Times bestselling author of Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life and The Candymakers for fans of Wonder and Counting by Sevens
Mia Winchell appears to be a typical kid, but she's keeping a big secret—sounds, numbers, and words have color for her. No one knows, and Mia wants to keep it that way. But when trouble at school finally forced Mia to reveal her secret, she must learn to accept
herself and embrace her ability, called synesthesia, the mingling of perceptions whereby a person can see sounds, smell colors, or taste shapes.
"From the moment I read a story by Wendy Mass, I knew she was a writer to watch."—Judy Blume
Winner of the ALA Schneider Family Book Award
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  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      April 14, 2003
      In an intriguing first novel, Mass introduces a 13-year-old heroine with an unusual perspective. Mia Winchell is a synesthete; her visual and hearing senses are connected so that numbers, letters, words, sounds and even some people's auras appear to her as colors. The letter "a," for instance, is the shade of a "faded sunflower," screeching chalk "makes red jagged lines in the air," and Mia's beloved cat, Mango, is surrounded by an orange cloud. Mia's unique view proves to be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, she enjoys having heightened senses ("If I couldn't use my colors, the world would seem so bland—like vanilla ice cream without the gummy bears on top," she says). On the other hand, sometimes it's hard for her being reminded that she is different, like when her brother, Zack, calls her "the Missing Link." Although the story line, at times, seems cluttered with underdeveloped subplots about Mia's friendships, potential romances and conflicts at school, the novel's premise is interesting enough to keep pages turning. The author successfully brings abstract ideas down to earth. Her well-defined characterizations, natural-sounding dialogue, and concrete imagery allow readers to feel Mia's emotions and see through her eyes a kaleidoscopic world, which is at once confusing and beautiful. Ages 10-13.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Mia Winchell is a synesthete--her brain is wired to taste, read, and hear in color. Narrator Danielle Ferland portrays a young person who is both ordinary and unique. Ferland is strong in depicting Mia's wry humor as she struggles with siblings and friendships while coping with her own perceptions. Vivid word pictures cascade throughout this sensual story. Mia's cat purrs in mango spheres, and her music produces shapes in the air. But she has the experiences of average kids as well, and with youthful sincerity Ferland expresses her frustration over homework and her despair over losing family members. This audiobook brings alive a unique young person and her rare gift. C.A. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:770
  • Text Difficulty:3-4

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