A Mango-Shaped Space is a young adult novel written by Wendy Mass that was published in 2003. The story follows the unique journey of Mia Winchell, who struggles with synesthesia. To someone with synesthesia, words and sounds can have a color or taste. Also, a number might create a certain sound. Synesthesia can entirely change how people experience the world.
In the third grade, Mia discovers that her synesthesia sets her apart. When her classmates make fun of her for her condition, she decides to hide it from everyone, including her family. She manages to do well in school, except math and Spanish. Those classes are difficult because she gets distracted by the colors which she associates with numbers and Spanish words.
Mia faces many challenges in her life. However, an adopted cat named Mango helps her deal with her difficulties. Mango gets his name because he often makes a strange noise, which gives off a color that reminds Mia of mangoes. Later in the novel, after Mango tragically dies, the colors Mia experiences slowly start to disappear. Strangely, Mia finds that she misses them and wants them to return.
