Summer in the City (Mango Delight #2)

Gr 4-6--Mango Delight Fuller has returned! In this sequel to Mango Delight, Mango is settling into the summer and her middle school drama has come to an end. It seems she has found her place with her "drama nerd" friends. This summer seems happily predictable: She's watching her baby brother Jasper, and is having fun bestie time with Izzy. Things ramp up when her teacher offers a wondrous opportunity to put on their school play, Yo Romeo!, in an off-off Broadway theater with Mango as the lead. Miraculously, her parents let her go, and Mango can't wait to experience a real theater with real actors. But Mango's drama nerd friends think that the whole cast will be joining the new performance in NYC, and Mango doesn't quite know how to tell them the truth. When Izzy becomes jealous of not being included, Mango is not sure where she stands with her own BFF. Mango begins to realize that being the star of a real play is intense work, and navigating the egos of the many professional actors can be just as challenging as middle school drama. Still, she works very hard to stay true to her real self and learns to be comfortable outside her comfort zone. Mango is a likable and relatable protagonist, even if parts of her adventure seem a little unbelievable. VERDICT The characters tend to be a little one dimensional and the plot slightly predictable, but younger readers will nevertheless find this sequel satisfying.--Patricia Feriano, Montgomery County Public Schools, MD

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Fans of Hyman's first book, Mango Delight (2017), will enjoy the further adventures of his titular character as she works to make her dreams come true. Readers looking for books with diverse characters and a strong female protagonist will also enjoy this title."—Booklist

Praise for Mango Delight:

"Mango is as delightful as her middle name indicates, and middle-grade readers will easily recognize their own experiences in her friendship struggles. This is Hyman's first novel; here's hoping it's not his last." —Booklist, starred review

"Though this book clearly helps fill the need for minority female leads, the universal themes it addresses give it broad appeal across ages, genders, and cultural backgrounds. A short and sweet story that will encourage deeper conversations around shame, honesty, and courage." —Kirkus Reviews

"The writing is accessible without being trite, and Mango's inner struggle to be a better person is presented in an interesting and relatable fashion. . . . An appealing addition, featuring an African American protagonist, for all middle grade collections; hand to readers who enjoy friendship drama and gentle realism." —School Library Journal

"The characters . . . are deftly crafted, and their relationships play out in ways that carefully avoid cliché. . . . Mango's supportive family is also well drawn . . . Kids who'd settle for making it through middle school unscathed but still dream of shining in it will find a kindred spirit in Mango." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Author Fracaswell Hyman has built a fascinating story for middle-graders with well-rounded, believable characters and a story that will keep readers turning pages." —San Francisco Book Review

"Mango Delight Fuller has returned! In this sequel to Mango Delight, Mango is settling into the summer and her middle school drama has come to an end. It seems she has found her place with her 'drama nerd' friends. This summer seems happily predictable . . . Things ramp up when her teacher offers a wondrous opportunity to put on their school play, Yo Romeo!, in an off-off Broadway theater with Mango as the lead. Miraculously, her parents let her go, and Mango can't wait to experience a real theater with real actors. . . . Mango begins to realize that being the star of a real play is intense work, and navigating the egos of the many professional actors can be just as challenging as middle school drama. Still, she works very hard to stay true to her real self and learns to be comfortable outside her comfort zone. Mango is a likable and relatable protagonist . . . younger readers will nevertheless find this sequel satisfying." —School Library Journal