Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Krawczyk
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Girl finds courage and friends in epic West African fantasy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In ABENI'S SONG, 12-year-old Abeni is separated from her family, friends, and community during what should have been a joyful Harvest Celebration. Storm women with living ropes and a figure in a goat horn mask attack their village. Afterward, Abeni is taken in by the old witch woman, Asha, who had warned the village that something bad was coming. Abeni becomes a sort of apprentice to Asha, learning both practical and magical skills. When a shadow attacks Asha's home, Abeni must take the lead in finding her family and friends. Along the way, Abeni has many adventures, meeting a variety of enemies and friends. She finds family, friendship, and support with human and spirit beings, including the porcupine spirit Nyomi and the panther spirit Zaneeya. Will Abeni and her new friends find the lost children? Will they locate the ghost ships that have taken the villagers away? How will they know which path to choose?
Is It Any Good?
This richly imagined coming-of-age fantasy story will be sure to hold readers' attention. Abeni's Song takes place in a detailed and magical world, with West African-inspired mythology and lots of adventure woven in. Abeni is a courageous and inspiring character, as are the companions she finds on her journey. The book is notable within the fantasy genre for its representation of Black characters and its African setting. Magical premise and all, readers will find much to identify with here, including the challenges of navigating both friendships and the courage required to do something new for the first time.
Readers will also be inspired by Abeni's courage and perseverance as she seeks information about the people who were kidnapped when her village was destroyed. More sensitive readers might be frightened by the dangerous adventures and scary or threatening characters. Readers who like fantasy and adventure stories will enjoy the excitement and look forward to the next book in the series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about courage in Abeni's Song. Abeni is separated from everyone she knows when her village is destroyed. In what ways is Abeni brave as she lives with Asha or when she sets out to find her family and friends?
Families and friendship are big themes in the book. After Abeni loses her family, which characters become Abeni's "found family" as she goes through various adventures and challenges? How do they help her, and why?
There are both human beings and fantastical ones in the book. How are Abeni, Asha, Nyomi, and Zaneeya different? How are they alike? In what ways do they work together as a team to help each other?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Starscape
- Publication date : July 25, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 336
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle, App
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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