Onyx & Beyond

Black 10-year-old Onyx, who lives with his grandmother and mother, is obsessed with the moon, stones, and space travel. After Onyx's grandmother dies, he is tasked with the responsibility of caring for his mother, who has early onset dementia. This includes cooking meals, getting himself ready for school, and making sure no one finds out about her worsening symptoms, or risk social services getting involved. Onyx then plots to steal a piece of a moon rock from the Smithsonian space exhibit ("I have to get a tiny part of this rock for Mama"), convinced that it will help his mother get her memories back. Set in the 1970s, this meandering verse novel by McBride (Gone Wolf) depicts several historical events, including the assassination of Dr. King and desegregation within public schools, and their effects on Onyx. Surreal descriptions of the protagonist's inner thoughts--"I grew wings," he whispers upon discovering a mural while on a walk with his mother--interspersed throughout add gentle magic to this perceptive interpretation of a child growing up with a caregiver navigating illness. Ages 8-12. Agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties. (Oct.)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 3-7--It's 1970. Onyx, 12, lives in Alexandria, VA, with a huge secret. His mama isn't like other moms--she sleeps during the day and has difficulty remembering certain facts, like how Onyx's gran passed away two years ago. Onyx must keep her early onset dementia a secret so they aren't separated by social services. Consequently, Onyx is self-sufficient, doing laundry and fixing meals for them both. Onyx's pops and extended family, living in Washington, D.C., don't realize how dire the situation has become. Plagued by loneliness, Onyx tries to fix things the only way he can imagine how. He draws inspiration from African folktales, where his captive ancestors grew wings to escape bondage and fly home. Can Onyx harness the inner strength to grow wings and save his mama? Or is it time to ask for help? Onyx is an empathetic, introspective kid whose actions are relatable to anyone who's had to grow up too fast. Although his feelings of isolation are palpable, his community quietly supports him. References to space travel, school desegregation, and the assassinations of Dr. King and Malcolm X firmly root the story in Onyx's time and place. Although the resolution is a bit too tidy, readers will appreciate the optimistic ending. The story is based on the life of the author's father, who grew up in Alexandria and whose mother has dementia. VERDICT A beautifully told novel in verse about family and community. Recommended for all middle grade collections.--Hannah Grasse

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

A story of perseverance and love.

Onyx proves a resourceful, compassionate character whose village shows up for him and his mother and relieves him of the burdens that he has carried alone for too long.

Fans of historical fiction will appreciate the thoughtfully used setting and tough topics, but the relationships and familial ties are where the story is strongest—showing that asking for help is never the wrong thing to do when you have a strong support system. —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB)