Booklist praised that "the...narration lends immediacy and impact to Mia's color perceptions...a quietly unusual and promising offering".

[5] The School Library Journal wrote "not all of the many characters are necessary to the story, and some of the plot elements go unresolved", and "Mia's parents are almost too perfect".

Kirkus Reviews criticized that "the narrative...is rather overfull of details-a crazily built house, highly idiosyncratic family members, two boy interests, a beloved sick cat-which tend to compete for the reader's attention in much the same way as Mia's colors", and stated that this "flaw" is "not unusual with first novels".

On the other hand, AudioFile praised the work, saying it "brings alive a unique young person and her rare gift".

[8] A Mango-Shaped Space has been praised by several authors, including Paula Danziger, Karen Cushman, Meg Cabot, and Judy Blume.