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Confessions of a Mango
A heartfelt novel about a neurodivergent girl that challenges us to reexamine what makes someone “gifted,” perfect for fans of Fish in a Tree and Frindle.
Ruby Emmerson has always felt like the "dumb" twin. Struggling with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, she feels out of place at her competitive charter school, especially as her twin brother Bryce excels both academically and socially. When she fails a math test despite getting extra help, she fears she'll flunk out of Benton Academy and drag her brother back to their old school.
In a moment of frustration, Ruby vents anonymously online, describing herself as an imposter—a mango among lovebirds. But to her surprise, she’s far from alone.
As her account gains a following, tensions rise with her brother and her posts draw the unwanted attention of the school administration. Now, Ruby must find the courage to challenge Benton’s high-pressure environment and advocate for herself and all the other "Mangoes" out there.
Ruby Emmerson has always felt like the "dumb" twin. Struggling with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, she feels out of place at her competitive charter school, especially as her twin brother Bryce excels both academically and socially. When she fails a math test despite getting extra help, she fears she'll flunk out of Benton Academy and drag her brother back to their old school.
In a moment of frustration, Ruby vents anonymously online, describing herself as an imposter—a mango among lovebirds. But to her surprise, she’s far from alone.
As her account gains a following, tensions rise with her brother and her posts draw the unwanted attention of the school administration. Now, Ruby must find the courage to challenge Benton’s high-pressure environment and advocate for herself and all the other "Mangoes" out there.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published April 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 5, 2026
This was a great debut middle grade novel about a young neurodivergent twin girl who has dyslexia, dysgraphic and dyscalculia who is struggling to keep up in a new private school. She starts confessing her feelings anonymously online and finds she's not the only one at school who feels the pressure to perform or fit in.
Heartwarming, relatable and just filled with a memorable cast of characters. I especially enjoyed the sibling dynamic where each twin had their own feelings to work through. Highly recommended for fans of books like Figure it out Henri Weldon, The unlikely heroes club or Very bad at math.
Heartwarming, relatable and just filled with a memorable cast of characters. I especially enjoyed the sibling dynamic where each twin had their own feelings to work through. Highly recommended for fans of books like Figure it out Henri Weldon, The unlikely heroes club or Very bad at math.
May 9, 2026
Ruby is entering 6th grade and struggles with dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia. So when her twin gets into Benton Academy -a charter school for the ‘smart kids’ in the school district, she isn’t thrilled that she has to go too. Her parents want to stick to a schedule and have both at the same school. So Ruby has a 504 plan and gets accommodations, but it’s still a struggle and very stressful. Ruby posts her feelings on Chatterbox, anonymously and finds out that many Benton Academy kids share her feelings.
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December 15, 2025Not allowed to rate this as I have my ARC only unofficially, but I really liked it!
May 17, 2026
This is a really nuanced story about one girl dealing with dyslexia. Ruby considers her twin brother the “smart” twin and the reason they are attending a new private school.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Ruby is not excited to leave Lincoln Middle School, where her best friend Ella attends, and go to Benton Academy. Since her twin brother Bryce is excited about the academic enrichment available at the charter school, and her parents don't have time to take the children to two different schools, she has agreed to go. Since Ruby has been diagnosed with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and diysgraphia, she has an extensive 504 plan and several accomodations. She worries about being in Mrs. Taylor's language arts class when the teacher asks what books people read over the summer; Ruby has only read graphic novels, which her 5th grade teacher didn't count. The class is assigned Oliver Twist to read. Ruby does make a friend in the quiet Thea, who seems to try to be as average as possible, but is glad when her father takes her and Bryce to the pool so she can hand out with Ella. Bryce's anxiety decreases at school, since he is able to make friends like Kennedy, who installs an electronic keypad on his locker and shares a lot of the same interests. There's a lot of homework, at least two hours a night, which is very hard for Ruby despite her accomodations. Her parents offer to get her a tutor, and even Bryce offers to help. When she is overwhelmed with the work, Ruby creates an account on the ChatterCube app, and as @confessionsofamango (based on a meme her mother has shown her about a line up of mangos and a love bird that looks almost like on of the fruits), posts that the school is expecting too much and should be more accepting of failure. She writes her tag on the announcement white board, and her post goes viral. There are lots of comments from other students who also feel pressured to succeed, especially by their parents. The principal gets upset when many parents complain, and threatens to punish whoever is posting. The kids at the school, however, start bringing mangoes in their lunches in solidarity! Thea admits to Ruby that she is struggling with the transition from Montessori classes to Benton, even though Ruby won't admit to anyone that she is the poster. Ruby does benefit a lot from a tutor who makes her see her difficulties in learning in a different way, but when the truth comes out, the mango really hits the blender. With help from her parents, Ruby is able to forge a new way forward for herself.
Strengths: Ruby has a great voice, and I loved that she wanted to try to change what she felt was a difficult situation. It was good to see her parents really trying to support her with tutoring, and they didn't seem to pressure either child with unrealistic expectations. Thea and Kennedy's parents were more problematic, so it was interesting to see a range of expectations. The social media aspect of this will appeal to middle grade readers, and the descriptions of accomodations, coping skills, and a really great tutor were good to see. This ends on a happy note, with Ruby setting up a Fruit Bowl support group.
Weaknesses: Would this have been different if Bryce had been enrolled in a school that was designed to meet Ruby's needs, but he complained about the lack of academic challenges? While there are good arguments for why Ruby was enrolled in the school, I felt bad that she struggled so much.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who liked Garcia and Williams' Mixed-Up, Hunt's Fish in a Tree, Davis' Figure It Out, Henri Weldon, or Dilloway's Five Thing About Ava Andrews.
Ruby is not excited to leave Lincoln Middle School, where her best friend Ella attends, and go to Benton Academy. Since her twin brother Bryce is excited about the academic enrichment available at the charter school, and her parents don't have time to take the children to two different schools, she has agreed to go. Since Ruby has been diagnosed with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and diysgraphia, she has an extensive 504 plan and several accomodations. She worries about being in Mrs. Taylor's language arts class when the teacher asks what books people read over the summer; Ruby has only read graphic novels, which her 5th grade teacher didn't count. The class is assigned Oliver Twist to read. Ruby does make a friend in the quiet Thea, who seems to try to be as average as possible, but is glad when her father takes her and Bryce to the pool so she can hand out with Ella. Bryce's anxiety decreases at school, since he is able to make friends like Kennedy, who installs an electronic keypad on his locker and shares a lot of the same interests. There's a lot of homework, at least two hours a night, which is very hard for Ruby despite her accomodations. Her parents offer to get her a tutor, and even Bryce offers to help. When she is overwhelmed with the work, Ruby creates an account on the ChatterCube app, and as @confessionsofamango (based on a meme her mother has shown her about a line up of mangos and a love bird that looks almost like on of the fruits), posts that the school is expecting too much and should be more accepting of failure. She writes her tag on the announcement white board, and her post goes viral. There are lots of comments from other students who also feel pressured to succeed, especially by their parents. The principal gets upset when many parents complain, and threatens to punish whoever is posting. The kids at the school, however, start bringing mangoes in their lunches in solidarity! Thea admits to Ruby that she is struggling with the transition from Montessori classes to Benton, even though Ruby won't admit to anyone that she is the poster. Ruby does benefit a lot from a tutor who makes her see her difficulties in learning in a different way, but when the truth comes out, the mango really hits the blender. With help from her parents, Ruby is able to forge a new way forward for herself.
Strengths: Ruby has a great voice, and I loved that she wanted to try to change what she felt was a difficult situation. It was good to see her parents really trying to support her with tutoring, and they didn't seem to pressure either child with unrealistic expectations. Thea and Kennedy's parents were more problematic, so it was interesting to see a range of expectations. The social media aspect of this will appeal to middle grade readers, and the descriptions of accomodations, coping skills, and a really great tutor were good to see. This ends on a happy note, with Ruby setting up a Fruit Bowl support group.
Weaknesses: Would this have been different if Bryce had been enrolled in a school that was designed to meet Ruby's needs, but he complained about the lack of academic challenges? While there are good arguments for why Ruby was enrolled in the school, I felt bad that she struggled so much.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who liked Garcia and Williams' Mixed-Up, Hunt's Fish in a Tree, Davis' Figure It Out, Henri Weldon, or Dilloway's Five Thing About Ava Andrews.
April 14, 2026
*Thank you to Netgalley, Kate Lumsden, and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.*
Wow!! What an important book for our kids today. This is the story of Ruby, who against her will is following her genius twin brother Bryce to a magnet school that is highly academic and challenging. Not only is she leaving her elementary school friends behind, but she knows, she KNOWS, that she does not belong at this school. Ruby has dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, and she is ultra aware of it. She also works very hard to make sure nobody else knows. When the pressures of this new school get to be too much, she has to vent. But with nobody to turn to, she makes a post on social media, and Ruby could not have foreseen the consequences of that action.
I will definitely be buying this book for my elementary school library and encouraging students and teachers to read it. Not only does it highlight characters with different abilities, but it also brings up the very important topic of outside pressure and the paralyzing fear of failing that a lot of kids have. Kids need to learn to fail with grace, and learn what to after that. Failure is inevitable, even for the kids that are seemingly good at everything. Thank you for bringing this important topic to light! I imagine some excellent conversations stemming from this book.
Wow!! What an important book for our kids today. This is the story of Ruby, who against her will is following her genius twin brother Bryce to a magnet school that is highly academic and challenging. Not only is she leaving her elementary school friends behind, but she knows, she KNOWS, that she does not belong at this school. Ruby has dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, and she is ultra aware of it. She also works very hard to make sure nobody else knows. When the pressures of this new school get to be too much, she has to vent. But with nobody to turn to, she makes a post on social media, and Ruby could not have foreseen the consequences of that action.
I will definitely be buying this book for my elementary school library and encouraging students and teachers to read it. Not only does it highlight characters with different abilities, but it also brings up the very important topic of outside pressure and the paralyzing fear of failing that a lot of kids have. Kids need to learn to fail with grace, and learn what to after that. Failure is inevitable, even for the kids that are seemingly good at everything. Thank you for bringing this important topic to light! I imagine some excellent conversations stemming from this book.
November 18, 2025
I read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
What a great read! I read this alongside my fifth grader. It was funny, engaging, and at times, profound. It sparked so many conversations between us about perfectionism, coping with failure, self doubts, feeling stupid, and the importance of being kind to others and oneself. And it was funny! So many great lines and moments that left us in stitches.
The story centers on Ruby Emmerson who's just starting a new school with her academically gifted twin brother. Ruby has dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, is failing math, and may soon be kicked out of their elite middle school. To cope, she starts posting anonymously on social media about feeling like a failure and not belonging at their school. To her surprise, this resonates with many of her classmates, and it starts a school wide movement. The school administration comes down hard on what they see as spreading discontent and gripes about the school and threatens to expel participating students. Through this process Ruby discovers more about herself, to not resent how her brain works, and to value and not fear failure. She discovers her own voice.
5 stars, highly recommend!
What a great read! I read this alongside my fifth grader. It was funny, engaging, and at times, profound. It sparked so many conversations between us about perfectionism, coping with failure, self doubts, feeling stupid, and the importance of being kind to others and oneself. And it was funny! So many great lines and moments that left us in stitches.
The story centers on Ruby Emmerson who's just starting a new school with her academically gifted twin brother. Ruby has dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, is failing math, and may soon be kicked out of their elite middle school. To cope, she starts posting anonymously on social media about feeling like a failure and not belonging at their school. To her surprise, this resonates with many of her classmates, and it starts a school wide movement. The school administration comes down hard on what they see as spreading discontent and gripes about the school and threatens to expel participating students. Through this process Ruby discovers more about herself, to not resent how her brain works, and to value and not fear failure. She discovers her own voice.
5 stars, highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a great middle school read. Ruby has dyslexia and doesn’t feel like she fits in at her new advanced school. I like when she describes how she’s thinking and how her dyslexia affects her. It’s real and honest. She’s also honest about how she sees herself (as the dumb twin.) Ruby starts a secret social media account describing how she feels like she doesn’t fit in and others join her. I appreciated how the author incorporated a place for students to share their feelings about how overwhelmed they feel. I think it gives the story a realistic feel and brings up a very real topic of the pressures tweens face. I loved the character of Ruby’s tutor. He seemed very helpful and made her see herself in a different light. My favorite part of the book is when Ruby discovered that the tests she took actually prove that she is smart. It completely changes how she sees herself. I also liked how her parents stood by her side when Ruby made the very grown up decision to not remain anonymous on social media anymore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Confessions of a Mango is a wonderful middle grade book. Ruby and Bryce are twins. They are starting the new school year at Benton Academy, a rigorous, academically challenging charter school. Ruby has dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia, which make school challenging. She feels like the dumb twin, while Bryce is academically gifted. After failing her first math test, Ruby creates an account online where she talks about feeling like a mango in a line of lovebirds. The mango may look similar in color and shape, but it's different. Ruby's account gets a lot of attention and Ruby realizes that she's not alone in feeling inadequate.
This was such a good book! I'd recommend it to students or use it as a read aloud for class. A lot of students feel "dumb" when school is challenging and Confessions of a Mango is a great story about how we all learn in different ways.
Thank you, NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, for the ARC.
This was such a good book! I'd recommend it to students or use it as a read aloud for class. A lot of students feel "dumb" when school is challenging and Confessions of a Mango is a great story about how we all learn in different ways.
Thank you, NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I loved this book! I bonded with Ruby immediately and found her emotional arc compelling and engaging. Her story is also very well paced, making for a quick and effortless read. Seriously, it reads well. And I loved the book’s sweet and heartfelt message about bravery! Working in libraries I read a lot of middle grade fiction and I think middle grade readers and adults alike will greatly enjoy this book.
Confessions of a Mango by Kate Lumsden and Nate Pieplow is a story of twins who find their academic fates are entwined even though their academic skills are wildly disparate. The story brings up ideas relating to giftedness, neurodivergence, academic pressure, finding your voice, and a deft exploration of bravery vs. intelligence.
I thought this was a strong debut novel from a promising pair of authors. Whether you feel like a Mango or feel like a Lovebird, this book is for you!
I loved this book! I bonded with Ruby immediately and found her emotional arc compelling and engaging. Her story is also very well paced, making for a quick and effortless read. Seriously, it reads well. And I loved the book’s sweet and heartfelt message about bravery! Working in libraries I read a lot of middle grade fiction and I think middle grade readers and adults alike will greatly enjoy this book.
Confessions of a Mango by Kate Lumsden and Nate Pieplow is a story of twins who find their academic fates are entwined even though their academic skills are wildly disparate. The story brings up ideas relating to giftedness, neurodivergence, academic pressure, finding your voice, and a deft exploration of bravery vs. intelligence.
I thought this was a strong debut novel from a promising pair of authors. Whether you feel like a Mango or feel like a Lovebird, this book is for you!
April 15, 2026
This is such a good book. Ruby and Bryce are twins, but Ruby has always viewed herself as the dumb twin. Her brother and she are starting at a new school, but she's really not sure she belongs here. She has dyslexia and she has always seen that as bad and that she's not smart. But through this book we see how her dyslexia affects how she sees things differently. Not always bad though.
She might be struggling in school, but with the help of some friends, a tutor and her family she learns that maybe it isn't all bad after all.
Such a great story of figuring out who you are and where you fit in, in a new situation.
She might be struggling in school, but with the help of some friends, a tutor and her family she learns that maybe it isn't all bad after all.
Such a great story of figuring out who you are and where you fit in, in a new situation.
April 16, 2026
E-ARC provided by NetGalley. What a great story for middle grade readers! This would definitely serve as a great classroom read together for students so that those who identify with the stuggles and insecurities of being a "mango" can see themselves, and those who don't feel that way about school and their abilities can hopefully understand and empathize with their classmates, siblings, and friends. I love the reframing of ideas about being "smart" and the focus on being brave to let friends and parents know when you are having a hard time. 5 stars
September 11, 2025
4.5 stars!! I wish this book existed when I was growing up. A great book about the struggles of children with learning disabilities and those without. This book is easy to read and shows so many sides of a child from school, struggles, parents and siblings. The parrot made it worth reading on its own!!
May 25, 2026
My twin brother was Bryce and I was to an extent Ruby growing up. I sat and did the SAT early because my brother did when he was trying to get admitted to a math and science academy. Being a twin is so rewarding and yet challenging too!
The reframing on dyslexia is so needed! I will definitely be getting this into the hands of my students!!!
The reframing on dyslexia is so needed! I will definitely be getting this into the hands of my students!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Great title and appealing cover art. I felt bad for Ruby at times, but I appreciate that the author wrote about these topics. Dyslexia is a tough struggle and there should be more books written about it. I would definitely recommend that this book is added to a school library's collection.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I loved this book—one of the best mid-grade novels I’ve read in years. It’s heartfelt, wise, and often quite funny, with important messages about family, friendship, and self-acceptance. I strongly recommend this book to fans of mid-grade fiction. Ruby’s is a story you won’t soon forget.
April 8, 2026
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Perfect for fans of “Fish in a Tree,” this book was wonderful. I loved Ruby as a narrator and how she gave an inside look at dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.
Perfect for fans of “Fish in a Tree,” this book was wonderful. I loved Ruby as a narrator and how she gave an inside look at dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.
May 22, 2026
Ruby may have her own struggles starting a new school in the sixth grade, but she soon learns that she is not as alone as she thought. This debut novel is one that most kids will be able to relate to. It really makes you think about all the labels placed on kids today.
December 9, 2025
This was a sweet, important story. I cannot wait to share it with my students.
May 1, 2026
A perfect middle grade novel. I can’t wait to recommend this to everyone in the library I work at ❤️
Review of advance copy
My review in February 2026 Booklist:
Ruby Emmerson is not enthused about leaving Lincoln Middle School and her best friend, Ella, behind to attend Benton Academy with Bryce, her twin. Diagnosed with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, she thinks of herself as the “dumb twin,” while her brother excels at school but struggles socially. Though challenged by high expectations at Benton, she finds a new friend in Thea. Embarrassed to share her struggles, Ruby creates an anonymous account, Confessions of a Mango, on ChatterCube to vent about the demands of Benton and not fitting in. Other students begin to air grievances about Benton on ChatterCube, and classmates bring mangoes to school in solidarity. There are safe mentor-mentee moments when her tutor, Keith, discloses that he also has dyslexia and that she actually scored in the top one percent but learns differently. Conflicts with Bryce expose a juxtaposition—learning each twin thinks they are the “dumb twin” is eye-opening to them. Hilariously chatty school parrot, Mr. Feathersworth, steals the show. Ruby’s internal “brave or smart” debate results in realistic, frank conversations with both her mom and Thea. An introspective and comforting read.
Ruby Emmerson is not enthused about leaving Lincoln Middle School and her best friend, Ella, behind to attend Benton Academy with Bryce, her twin. Diagnosed with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, she thinks of herself as the “dumb twin,” while her brother excels at school but struggles socially. Though challenged by high expectations at Benton, she finds a new friend in Thea. Embarrassed to share her struggles, Ruby creates an anonymous account, Confessions of a Mango, on ChatterCube to vent about the demands of Benton and not fitting in. Other students begin to air grievances about Benton on ChatterCube, and classmates bring mangoes to school in solidarity. There are safe mentor-mentee moments when her tutor, Keith, discloses that he also has dyslexia and that she actually scored in the top one percent but learns differently. Conflicts with Bryce expose a juxtaposition—learning each twin thinks they are the “dumb twin” is eye-opening to them. Hilariously chatty school parrot, Mr. Feathersworth, steals the show. Ruby’s internal “brave or smart” debate results in realistic, frank conversations with both her mom and Thea. An introspective and comforting read.
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