Tag Archive | Onjali Q Rauf

The Night Bus Hero by Onjali Q Rauf

Jul21

Opening Eyes & Hearts

The Night Bus Hero by Onjali Q Rauf is a powerful contemporary children’s novel that I read in just one sitting. It is perfect for ages ten years and over. I always enjoy Onjali Q Rauf’s stories as she writes about relevant issues that need to be highlighted.

The main focus of this book is the twin themes of bullies and the homeless. Hector, a ten year old bully, takes great delight in his actions and is the main protagonist. He fears no one – teachers, parents, peers – despite being a bully, there are some endearing qualities too as he is caring towards his four year old brother.

As we read “grown-ups only ever help people they like, and I’ve never met a single grown-up who likes me.” The reader wonders why this ten year old has such low self-esteem.

As the novel progresses, the reader witnesses Hector’s character transformation as he begins to bud and blossom. Underneath there does beat a heart of gold. It just needs unleashing.

It is heartbreaking to see the plight of the homeless. They are ignored at best, treated cruelly at worst. We witness the kind souls who see the people beneath the tatty clothes. These folk try to help via soup kitchens and conversations.

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The Star Outside My Window by Onjali Q Rauf

Jul9

Heartbreaking

The Star Outside My Window by Onjali Q Rauf is a powerful and heartbreaking children’s novel, just perfect for ages ten years and over.

The story surrounds the topic of foster children who have escaped domestic abuse. Such is their innocence that they may not even realise the extent of the cruelty in their lives. They have learnt to follow the rules and to be silent. Life is a new foster house is illuminating – there are no rules but still the children fear activating their foster Mum’s ‘switch.’

We follow a set of siblings, ten year old Aniyah and her five year old brother, Noah. They believe that their Mum will be re-born into a star so when a new star is discovered, they set out to London, to the Observatory to name the star after their Mum.

We see some truly heart wrenching moments as the reader realizes the dreadful time that the children have been through. In their new foster house, they meet other foster children. Bonds are formed. We see that abuse always leaves scars but not all are visible. Some are hidden, as children lose the ability to talk or talk with a stutter. One child is cruel but it comes from a place of fear of rejection.

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The Lion Above The Door by Onjali Q Rauf

Jul3

We Will Remember Them

The Lion Above The Door by Onjali Q Rauf is a powerful children’s novel that will educate you as you read, whatever your age. It is suitable for ten years and over.

The story is told through the eyes of nine year old Leo, who, after a school trip to Rochester cathedral is inspired to search out the World War II record of his namesake. Leo is tenacious in his search, despite meeting brick wall after brick wall. Some of his ways to look for info are genius.

Leo is a very likable lead character, who, along with his friend, Sangeeta, is subject to racist bullying in both the classroom and the playground. Children can be very cruel. The teachers seem oblivious to this continual cruelty until one day when there can be no doubt.

We see that people are brave, not only in war but in day to day lives as well. “Why was he [Dad] always super-quiet and super-friendly to horrible people? Didn’t he care that it hurt?” Leo’s Dad does feel the pain but he refuses to stoop to the level of the bullies because then they would have won. He teaches Leo how to be the bigger person.

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The Boy At The Back Of The Class by Onjali Q Rauf

Jun27

True Friendship

The Boy At The Back Of The Class by Onjali Q Rauf is a marvellous debut novel. It is a book that I just could not put down. It is suitable for ages ten years and over. In fact, it is a perfect book for anyone as it highlights the plight of refugees.

The book is written in the first person through the eyes of a nine year old living in London. Her school is a cosmopolitan one where children of all nations welcome the boy at the back of the class.

The only blot on the school landscape is that of the school bullies. We see them through the eyes of a child. We totally understand her thoughts and find her feelings easy to empathise with.

This is a tale of friendship that will go the extra mile in order to help improve a life.

Onjali Q Rauf writes through the eyes of a child, explaining her fears and her questions. There is humor in her words and sometimes well known phrases are heard and misquoted wrongly. “We didn’t say anything after that because sometimes you can tell grown-ups won’t listen to you anymore. Usually they say… ‘I’ve said my peas.’ “

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