Beyond the Mango Tree

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Author(s)

Amy Bronwen Zemser

Publisher

HarperCollins Publishers

Genre(s)

General Fiction

Age Range

10+

Release Date

April 05, 2000

ISBN

0064407861

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It has been this way since Sarina's family moved to Liberia from Boston eight months ago. Her mother ties her to the mango tree in their front yard, terrified of losing her. It's never for long, and Sarina knows her mother doesn't mean to hurt her. But things just seem to get harder the longer her family stays in this country so far from home.On good days, when Sarina's mother is feeling better, she sets her daughter free. On bad days, Sarina dangles her feet in the puddles and mud until dusk, waiting for someone to rescue her, wishing for the one thing her mother fears most: a friend.

Then one day Sarina meets Boima, a Liberian boy, and he becomes Sarina's cherished secret. He takes her to places outside her dirty yard, and shows her the ocean, the trees, and the people of Liberia. Together they discover what friendship really means ... and that there is a world of joy, hunger, and hope waiting just beyond the mango tree.

2000-2001 Georgia's Picture Storybook Award & Georgia's Children's Book Award Masterlist

Editor reviews

2 reviews

A wonderful book to teach from...and with

April 26, 2001 (Updated: June 07, 2026)

Overall rating

4.0

Plot

4.0

Characters

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Ms. Zemser's story of a young, lonely girl in a foreign land is both sad and hopeful. The author weaves a wonderful tapestry of rich colors and words. As you are reading, you almost feel transported to Liberia, where the book takes place. You can almost taste the fresh mango.

This is a story of loss on many levels. Sarina is a twelve-year-old white girl from Boston, who moves to Liberia with her family. By the end of the book, she has experienced many great losses, including that of a mother's love, a father's care and a close friend.

Her mother is severely diabetic and is terrified of losing Sarina. She depends on her daughter in a very unhealthy fashion, which includes tying Sarina to a tree to keep her from leaving the yard. The daughter, in this family, is more like the parent.

Her father is caring, but absent. He refuses to see just how far Sarina's mother has gone down the long, dark road of ill-health. He loves his daughter, but he is blind to what is happening as he concentrates on his own work and needs.

When Sarina meets Boima, a Liberian native, she finds a friend. She has to sneak out to play with him, but finds ways to build their friendship despite the odds. She discovers, for the first time, what friendship means. She also discovers things about herself and her own strengths.

This book has great potential for use in the classroom, though middle readers will also enjoy it on their own. Some of the possible applications in school are with cultural, abuse and friendship/acceptance modules.