A Mango-Shaped Space

Synesthesia is a real condition. Do your own research about the condition and compare this research with the way synesthesia is portrayed in the book. Discuss what Wendy Mass may have changed about synesthesia for the story, and why. 

Throughout A Mango-Shaped Space, Mia undergoes a coming-of-age journey. Find another book in which the main character undergoes a similar journey and write an essay comparing and contrasting the two novel. Look at the structure and dominant themes of both books to form the basis of your comparison. 

Do you have synesthesia? Write about your own experiences with synesthesia or interview someone else about theirs. Compare those experiences with Mia’s. 

Mia and Jenna’s friendship is important to both of them, despite the fact that they drift apart for a while. Explore how their changing friendship contributes to the structure of the novel. 

Sympathetic characters are a common feature of coming-of-age stories. In what ways does Mass present Mia as sympathetic, and in what ways does she subvert this trope?

Mia’s family is very important to her, though at times they do not understand her. Discuss some of the ways in which Mia’s family relates to the theme of Understanding Oneself and examine how the novel portrays conflict within the family. 

Mango, the cat, is a central symbol in A Mango-Shaped Space. Why do you think that Mass chooses an animal as a significant figure in Mia’s journey? 

One of Mia’s greatest challenges is finding common ground with other people. Discuss how A Mango-Shaped Space explores communication and relationships. Use quotes from the book to back up your findings.