WILL ON THE INSIDE

André Santana flawlessly re-creates gentle Will's school and home life in Oakwood, Georgia--where everyone knows everyone whether they're students, jocks, or gamers. Will begins to feel exhausted and nauseous after playing soccer; soon he's diagnosed with Crohn's disease. The story's superbly rendered first-person viewpoint draws in listeners as it reveals Will's relationships with his family members, classmates, and church community. Descriptive doctor visits and embarrassing symptoms are heartbreaking and may be familiar to some. Will is Santana's standout character; a close second is Griffin, who introduces Will to the joys of playing Mirror Realm on video. When Will observes his teammates' homophobia, he questions his life and his relationships. There are no easy answers, but this beguiling audiobook speaks to kids, parents, and others. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2023]