Onjali Q. Rauf

'I've always wanted to be a Star Hunter. But I don't want to be the kind that looks for old stars that have already been burning for millions of years. I want to find the brand new ones - the ones that have only just been born and are searching for the people they've left behind...' Following the disappearance of her mum, 10-year-old Aniyah suddenly finds herself living in foster care. With her life in disarray, she knows just one thing for sure: her mum isn't gone for ever. Because people with the brightest hearts never truly leave. They become stars. So when a new star is spotted acting strangely in the sky, Aniyah is sure it's her mum, and she embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to make sure everyone else knows too -- an adventure that involves breaking into the Royal Observatory of London, a mischievous scurry of squirrels and the biggest star in Hollywood... Told through the innocent voice of a child, this is a story that explores the subtle faces and endless impacts of domestic violence, and celebrates the power of hope and resilience, from Onjali Rauf, the award-winning author of The Boy at the Back of the Class.

The Star Outside My Window

From Onjali Q. Rauf, the award-winning and best-selling author of The Boy at the Back of the Class, comes another incredible story, told with humour and heart. Touching on themes of historical racism, missing histories and the concept of a universal family, The Lion Above the Door shines a light on the stories our history books have yet to contain and the power of friendships that can last through generations.

The Lion Above the Door

Written with great empathy and Rauf's trademark humour, this moving story gives a child's-eye view of the increasing problem of food poverty.

The Great (Food) Bank Heist

A World Book Day 2020 Author WINNER OF THE BLUE PETER BOOK AWARD 2019 WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE 2019 SHORTLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE 2019 Told with heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class is a child's perspective on the refugee crisis, highlighting the importance of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn't always make sense. There used to be an empty chair at the back of my class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it. He's nine years old (just like me), but he's very strange. He never talks and never smiles and doesn't like sweets - not even lemon sherbets, which are my favourite! But then I learned the truth: Ahmet really isn't very strange at all. He's a refugee who's run away from a War. A real one. With bombs and fires and bullies that hurt people. And the more I find out about him, the more I want to help. That's where my best friends Josie, Michael and Tom come in. Because you see, together we've come up with a plan. . . With beautiful illustrations by Pippa Curnick

The Boy At the Back of the Class

Avant, il y avait une chaise vide au fond de la classe. Maintenant, c'est la place d'un nouveau : Ahmet. Il est bizarre : il ne parle pas, ne sourit pas et n'aime pas les bonbons ! Mais j'ai enfin compris pourquoi : Ahmet est un réfugié. Il a fui une guerre dans son pays, avec des bombes et des brutes qui font du mal à tout le monde. Plus j'apprends à le connaître, plus j'ai envie de l'aider. Alors, avec mes copains Michael, Tom et Josie, on a élaboré un plan...

Le garçon au fond de la classe

From Onjali Q. Rauf, the award-winning and best-selling author of The Boy at the Back of the Class, comes another incredible story, told with humour and heart. 'The boy's an absolute menace.' 'He's a bully. A lost cause!' 'Why can't he be more like his sister?' I've been getting into trouble for as long I can remember. Usually I don't mind 'cos some of my best, most brilliant ideas have come from sitting in detention. But recently it feels like no one believes me about anything - even when I'm telling the truth! And it's only gotten worse since I played a prank on the old man who lives in the park. Everyone thinks I'm just a bully. They don't believe I could be a hero. But I'm going to prove them all wrong... Told from the perspective of a bully, this book explores themes of bullying and homelessness, while celebrating kindness, friendship and the potential everyone has to change for the good.

The Night Bus Hero

"Miss, do you really think we can all help? Even me?" - Tammy, 8 years old. Growing up, there is so much out of our control, so much we can feel helpless about, and so many terrible things we have to watch grown-ups doing to our world. But when it comes to understanding and righting wrongs - it's always children who get it first. In this inspiring and practical handbook, bestselling children's author and Human Rights campaigner, Onjali Raúf, draws on her experiences working with women's rights organisations and refugee charities. She introduces readers to some of the most amazing people we can be inspired by (some who are from fictional worlds and some who are very real!). And she tells readers 10 of her top secrets for channelling your frustrations into something positive, developing your empathy toolkit and making the world a better place. From remembering that we are all human beings and that we are all equal, to realising your worth and that nothing is ever done alone, this is Onjali's rallying call to every child that has ever felt hopeless. Because with a bit of compassion, a big dollop of hope and even the smallest act of kindness, change will come and together we can make things better. Hope is on the horizon; you just have to find it.

A Children's Handbook on Empathy, Kindness and Making a Better World

Hope on the Horizon

From Onjali Q. Rauf, the award-winning and best-selling author of The Boy at the Back of the Class, comes an incredible story about missing histories and the concept of a universal family, told with humour and heart. Leo and his best friend Sangeeta are the odd ones out in their school. But as Leo's dad is always telling him, it's because they're special. Only thing is, if they're so special, how come they never see anyone who looks like them in their school history books? Then, on a class trip to a nearby cathedral, Leo's attention is drawn to a large marble slab high above the doors of the hall. Right there, bang in the middle of a list of war heroes, Leo finds himself staring at something incredible: his own name. Desperate to know who this other Leo was, the two friends embark on a search. And together, they begin to uncover missing stories from the past, ones which they are determined to put back into their rightful place in the pages of history. Touching on themes of historical racism, The Lion Above the Door shines a light on the stories our history books have yet to contain and the power of friendships that can last through generations. The first edition of this book also contains a special collection of historical photos and stories of real life forgotten heroes from World War Two.

Onjali Q. Rauf

Books

Your next favorite book is out there