Y’all know how this is going to start…. I don’t usually do novels in verse. They just don’t always work for me. But then again, I WILL try anything as long as its Black. And Amber McBride always makes me so happy I’m not completely closed off.

I don’t always love Amber’s stuff, but I’m never going to stop reading it. I’m going to give it a shot every single time. And I think I finally found the one that resonated the most with me finally. It resonated with me so much because the amount of emotion in it. He was strong because he was taking care of his self at such a young age. He was sad because he kept watching his mom go through this and wasn’t able to help her. And so much more. I really felt bad for him.

I did wish there was more reference to the time period tho since this is set in the Civil Rights Museum. They did mention some things, like his grandma and mama mentioned the assassination of MLK Jr and a march, but I do wish there was something around like how he was on the bus or something, but still.

Usually I have a problem with novels in verse because everything isn’t completely fleshed out in the book. It’s like there’s not enough details. But this one was finally the one that worked with me. I still didn’t like the flying part tho. I didn’t understand what that had to do with anything. I mean I get that he was interested in flying, but I didn’t think he would take it as far as he did? Idk that was weird.

This was a novel in verse that I actually really enjoyed. I had to listen to the first few sections multiple times, but for the most part, I actually enjoyed this. It might sound cliche to say it was different than the others, but it was. I guess I need to read some more like this to have a better understanding of what they’re supposed to do.

Onyx and Beyond is a novel in verse by Amber McBride and was a Macmillan Audio pick that surprised me! I didn’t actually realize this was a novel in verse until I started listening to it and realized the short chapters with metaphorical language and an abundance of imagery must be poems!

From the synopsis: “Based on her own father's story of growing up in the 1960s and facing the same challenge with his own mother, award winner Amber McBride delivers another affecting depiction of being young and Black in America.” These poems paint a picture of what Alexandria, Maryland is like after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for a young Black boy who also experiences the loss of his grandmother while his mother suffers dementia. These poems portray the world as a place where magic is possible if only the correct magical stone is found, if space can be explored for healing properties and the bittersweet realization that maybe flight is possible, but not on physical wings. Onyx spends so much time planning to help his mother and hiding her condition, it’s not until he opens up to his extended family that he finds the wings he needed were those of his community.

Overall, the story might have been about a young Black boy and his sick mother, but the message was for unity and community amongst Black Americans, who can lift each other and fly when united.

The end of this book shares a dedication to Robin Gibson, of whom I had never heard before, but who the author states was a big deal in 1970 as he was a young Black man killed at a 7-Eleven in Alexandria; he was someone all the local kids are said to have looked up to, and he died at only age 19, far too soon. The author directs readers to read about him here: https://www.nytimes.com/1970/06/07/archives/weeks-disorders-end-in-alexandria.html

This book was absolutely five stars, and the audiobook was narrated with audible passion by André Santana.

Onyx & Beyond is a heartbreaking and heartwarming middle grade story I can't wait to introduce to my kids. Onyx, who goes by X, is a kid with the weight of the world on his shoulders during the late 1960's early 1970's in Alexandra, Virginia. His mama sadly has early on-set dementia. With the help of his Gram, they were getting by mostly well. A year after the city was on fire as Onyx calls it (the day after MLK was killed) Gram passes and life gets a lot harder for X. A letter from CPS arrives saying they will be doing a home check soon and X fears he will be taken from his mama. A lover of rocks and space, he thinks if he can just fly to the moon he can get a rock that will save his Mama. He brainstorms ideas to make this happen as we get peeks into his journal. This story shows us what it was like in that area to be a young black boy, the power of hope and the strength of community. As a mother with kids similar in age to X, it broke my heart that a child so young had so much on his shoulders. I cried sad and happy tears with this one. It was narrated so beautifully by André Santana. The author shares at the end that this story was a collaboration of hundreds of stories her father told her about growing up during that time. It was wonderfully written and I can't wait to explore her other work. Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review. Pub Day is Oct. 1st.

This was a great elementary aged book! Loosely based on the author’s dad’s story about his mother with early onset dementia and how he, as a child, had to take care of her and hide it from child services. I enjoyed all the kid things Onyx did, like trying to fly, collecting rocks, and love learning about space. It’s also kind of historical fiction as it takes place around the MLK Jr. assassination.

It's the 1970s and 12-year-old Onyx's grandmother has just died. He's practically caring for himself alone and trying to hide the fact that his mother is grappling with the effects of early onset dementia, worsened by the additional stress of her mother's death. Fortunately, Onyx is not alone. He has his father and paternal grandmother, as well as his cousins and his love for space and rocks. His community is also there for him, including the barber shop where he makes a dollar a day for sweeping up hair. Onyx believes that if he can learn to fly, he can fly to space and find a rock that can heal his mom. As he tries to make that dream happen, he realizes that he doesn't have to go it alone. This story is gorgeously written, heartrending but ending on a hopeful note and full of community love that lifts Onyx through the hard times. It also includes some mentions of notable historical events like the murder of MLK, the introduction of desegregated schools, and other highlights of the Civil Rights era. Audiobook is excellent. Great verse novel for grades 5-7.

This novel in verse follows a young boy in Alexandria as his grandmother passes away and his mother's early on-set dementia progresses. I thought the writing of this book was beautiful and the plot was sort of unique (the mother's illness), but as far as the plot went, I found myself just kind of bored most of the time. It makes it hard for me to imagine who I might recommend this book to; definitely to kids who like novels in verse. But the historical fiction angle felt like a sidenote and didn't have a lot of depth to attract historical fiction readers. Maybe a good readalike for Other Words for Home.

Onyx and Beyond is written for kids and is the perfect blend of emotion and back story with a little bit of history thrown in. Onyx talks about Martin Luther King Jr and segregation and integrating schools. He talks about what it's like to be a young black kid in the DC area and he also lets you in on what his life is like.

Since his grandma died, things have been rough at home. His mom forgets a lot and mixes up her nights and days. At 12, he's trying to take care of his momma, go to school, and make everyone believe that everything is just fine. He loves rocks and stones and has big dreams. Onyx learns a lot about teamwork and leaning on the people who love you and also about himself throughout the book.

Perfect for fans of, And Then, Boom! or any novels in verse, this was a super quick listen on audio and I enjoyed the narrator. Thank you to MacMillan Audio and Librofm for a copy to enjoy.

Thank you #MacAudio2024 for the advance audio of this book. This was a beautifully written book about how a child would view their mother going through the early phases of dementia and also how they deal with grief in regards to his grandmother. It’s definitely a much needed book and I’m just glad it didn’t end in complete heartbreak like so many of these things normally do. Would highly recommend.

McBride, Amber. Onyx & Beyond. 2024, 978-1250908787. $17.99. 224p. Grades 4-8

Description: Onyx, who goes by “X”, lives with his mom. When she starts to show signs of early onset dementia, he tries to continue living as if everything at home is fine, because the last thing he wants is Child Protective Services to know what’s going on for fear that they will take him away and place him in Foster Care. And while he tries to keep it together and not let anyone know what is really happening the Civil Rights Movement is ramping up and he starts to wonder if he is truly safe anywhere.

Thoughts: This book is based on the author, Amber McBride’s, fathers story growing up in the height of the Civil Rights Movement while dealing with a mother who had health challenges. It is beautifully heartbreaking to read this book knowing it is based on someone’s lived experience. This book received a starred Kirkus review and would be wonderful for middle level learners to read!

Historical Fiction

Tags: Novel-In-Verse, Dementia, African-American, Civil Rights Movement, Foster Care

I fell in love with Amber McBride’s writing in 2023 when I first read her YA books, We Are All So Good At Smiling and Me (Moth), and this year I read her debut adult poetry collection Thick With Trouble. In every single book I’ve read by her, I’m awestruck by the way her words hit me. This historical fiction middle grade selection, Onyx & Beyond, was no different. The audiobook is a little more than two hours long but there were dozens of times I had to pause and sit in what the last sentence made me feel. She has a way of really hitting you in the heart, breaking it and holding it together all at once. This story is inspired by Amber McBride’s father, Mario McBride, and his stories and poetry. The main character, Onyx, is a young Black boy growing up between Alexandria, Virginia with his mother and Washington D.C with his father in the late 1960s, early 1970s. He is surrounded by family members that love him immensely, and he loves them right back with the same strength. When one of his grandmothers passes away, his mother’s symptoms of early onset dementia suddenly worsen, leaving Onyx to believe he has to take on the responsibilities of caretaker. Onyx is a dreamer, keeping a secret journal for his hopes and fears, while around him The Civil Rights Movement is amplifying. Martin Luther King Jr is killed right before his gran passed, leaving Onyx scared and uncertain of his place in the world. But he knows one thing, that he has to figure out how to help his mom before Child Protective Services come for their evaluation. Fueled by both of his grandmother’s interests (space and birds) and dreams, he thinks if only he could fly, he could solve his mom’s disease. He enlists his cousins assistance in his plans. This book goes so deep in such a short amount of time. I only wish it was longer so I could stay with the characters longer, but there is nothing missing. By the end of the book, Onyx learns that he doesn’t have to do it alone, that his strength lies in his community and the power passed down from his ancestors. I would recommend this to middle grade readers and adults alike. Really, I recommend all books by Amber McBride ❤️ and I can’t forget to mention that Andrè Santana is a masterful narrator, and truly cemented as one of my favorites.

Thank you to @macmillan.audio for letting me listen to Onyx & Beyond by Amber McBride before its publish date, October 1, 2024. The opinions about this book are my own.

Twelve-year old Onyx (nicknamed X) is getting bombarded by life, although those are my words, not his. The Civil Rights Movement is happening all around him, but closer to home he’s grieving two special family members- one due to death and one due to the changes because of Early Onset Dementia (the latter is unfortunately his mother). Onyx is an impressive, responsible, caring and lovable kid. He is interested in space and rocks, and he would do anything to save his mother.

This book is somewhat based on the author’s father’s childhood in the 1960s and 70s, and I can see middle graders up to adults liking it. I want to see the book with my eyes, as sometimes I felt like parts of it were written as a poem? Or did narrator Andre Santana make it sound like a poem?

I chose this book because I have a space-loving child and we deal with Early Onset Alzheimer’s. The blurb makes it seem like her father dealt with his mom’s dementia as a child, but the author’s note at the end makes it seem like the father’s mom is dealing with progressive dementia currently, not back then.

This audiobook will only take up 2 hours 14 minutes of your time, and that’s if you listen at 1x. It was a quick and easy listen of a life that would be tough to live.

4/5 stars
Locations: Alexandria, Virginia and Washington DC

This is a tender exploration of coming of age under non-conventional circumstances. This won't appeal to all young readers, but those who are drawn to it will find a deep connection

This audiobook was made available for me to listen to and review by Amber McBride, Macmillan Audio/Macmillan Young Listeners, and NetGalley.

This is an important story set in the authors fathers childhood and containing loosely biographical details of his life. This serves to make the story so much more poignant and impact full.

This is set during the Civil Rights Movement, it begins in the late 60's in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria and quickly moves to the early 70's. The world is being rebuilt about Onyx who lives with his mother and grandmother at the start of this story. Onyx witnesses the rise of Dr. King and his resulting assassination. Onyx's father and paternal relatives are local to him but he's always lived with his mom.
As the country is being changed, so is Onyx. His beloved grandmother has passed and his mom is struggling with early onset dementia. As if this isn't enough on its own, a helpful adult has notified Social Services about Onyx's situation. Now he's gotta find a solution and he's desperate. This is a sad but important story about the importance of family. This is my first novel by Ms. McBride but it definitely won't be my last!

This audiobook is narrated by André Santana. André's voice is perfect for this somewhat heart wrenching story. His voice conveyed a ton of emotion at very crucial points on this novels journey. Superbly handled to enhance the overall narrative.

Thank you to Amber McBride, Macmillan Audio/Macmillan Young Listeners, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.

A gorgeously written historical novel in verse that is set against the backdrop of many historical events from late 1960s and 1970s. Onyx is a lovable main character who is brimming with imagination, curiosity, and optimism while trying to take care of his mother who has early onset dementia. This is a beautiful story of perseverance and love. Many thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Kids for an early advanced reader’s copy.

Onyx & Beyond was a very short story with a big punch. I enjoyed seeing the world through Onyx's eyes, it was quite interesting and he brought up a lot of interesting subjects.
The characters, especially Onyx, were quite layered and the whole plot just worked.
I have to say that I wish it'd be a bit longer, so we could get to know everyone and stay in this story a bit longer but overall, I really liked this one.

I just finished “Onyx and Beyond” by Amber McBride and loved it. This is my first time reading anything in her catalog but after a little research I discovered “We Are All So Good At Smiling” on my physical bookshelf.
The story starts with young Onyx, 10-year old Black male who lives with mom and his grandmother in the late 60s. Within two (70s)years his grandmother passes and it’s he and his mom. Dad is near by and involved but Onyx who is accustomed to the Civil Rights movement has experienced a lot for a now 12 year. Onyx has always been into rocks and stones (name is Onyx) believing in magical powers.
He has big dreams of becoming an astronaut and exploring space. As he navigates through life as he knows it to be, in the 70s he is faced with challenges that no 12 year should need to deal with. His mom has early dementia and he is tasked with taking care of her.
One of the most critical missteps was trying to get a piece of a moonstone for the purpose of healing his Mom.
Onyx’s greatest fear is that the state’s CPS will come and take him away from his mama because of her illness.
I love this author’s writing as it reads so poetically, lyrically. I think it is a great middle grade read as long as there is great discussion before (to define terms and setting) and a post discussion to garner critical thinking.
In checking my shelf I actually had grabbed another one of her books that I will start this week “We Are All So Good at Smiling.” Overall, I have found another good author.
*This book will release on October 1, 2024*. This is a great 10-12 yr old perspective and pov about the movement, civil rights leaders, religion, death, grief, illness, family and love.
Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan audio, and Amber McBride for proving me with the is ALC-ARC for my honest review.
(I love this cover)

If Amber writes it, I’m going to read it. I love how she writes so beautifully about real life issues, but adds a sprinkle of magic. I thought the narration was wonderful. I also love that she included poems by her father.

4 stars

This is another stunner from Amber McBride, and this time, there's a loosely biographical connection between the protagonist and her father, which adds even more depth.

Young Onyx is experiencing some challenges. Since this novel takes place in the late '60s/early '70s, much of Onyx's life is shaped by his burgeoning awareness of the Civil Rights Movement. The ties feel organic and extremely accessible for the target audience. Onyx's homelife is where the rest of his challenge lies. His mother has early onset dementia, and since his father is somewhat involved but doesn't live with him, this really impacts Onyx emotionally and otherwise. The issue is compounded by Onyx's grandmother's passing. Onyx feels uncertain, becomes relatively withdrawn, and has to grapple with what will happen to his mother and to him if anyone learns the massive secrets he's harboring.

While Onyx's head is in the clouds (really in the stars) in some ways, he deserves any relief and dreaming he can get. He's a great character in a series of tough spots.

This book is such a speedy read/listen, and I'm amazed by how much emotion and layering McBride is able to pack into such a small space. This is another great effort from a proven author.