ONYX & BEYOND

André Santana narrates this short novel in verse about the power of dreams and finding compassion in one's community. Twelve-year-old Onyx is entranced by space, the stars, and the idea of flying. His daydreams are one of his only escapes from anxiety over his mother's increasing memory loss. Santana voices Onyx in soft, lyrical tones that evoke the verse format without becoming too caught up in the rhythm. As Onyx's worries that he will be separated from his mother increase, Santana builds that panic into his inner monologue, the tension mounting as Onyx's various plans go awry. The members of Onyx's extended family and community get distinct voices of their own as Onyx learns to lean on them. N.M. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2025]