The Lion Above the Door by Onjali Q. Raúf - WWII Mystery Fiction - Ages 9-11 - Paperback

Details:
Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781510106758
Publisher: Orion Children's Books
Age Range: 9-11

Overview:
The Lion Above the Door by Onjali Q. Raúf is a moving mystery-adventure for readers aged 9-11, blending real WWII history with a heartfelt story about identity and belonging. When Leo spots his own name on a war memorial in a cathedral, he and best friend Sangeeta uncover forgotten heroes and heroines written out of the history books. Warm, funny and quietly powerful, it opens up conversations about racism, resilience and family in a way children can truly connect with.

About the Book:
Leo is used to being stared at - he's the only Singaporean boy in his tiny English town, and his dad tells him it's because they're "special". But nobody at school looks like him, and none of the history books mention anyone who does either. Everything changes on a school trip to a cathedral, where Leo notices a marble war memorial listing local WWII heroes - and spots his own name staring back at him. Determined to find a family connection, Leo persuades his class to choose "forgotten heroes" as their history project theme. Alongside Sangeeta, who's equally frustrated that women are often missing from history, Leo investigates and uncovers extraordinary, overlooked stories from the past. Onjali Q. Raúf brings her trademark warmth and gentle humour to a story that never talks down to its readers, tackling racism, prejudice and whose stories get remembered with sensitivity and hope. Wrapped inside a genuinely gripping mystery, it's both an entertaining school-trip caper and a thoughtful exploration of history - ideal for classroom WWII topics and family reading alike.

Key Benefits:

• An engaging mystery-adventure perfectly pitched for readers aged 9-11.
• Written by Onjali Q. Raúf, winner of the Blue Peter Book Award and Waterstones Children's Book Prize.
• Explores WWII history, racism and identity in an accessible, age-appropriate way.
• Encourages empathy, resilience and curiosity about overlooked histories.
• A popular choice for school topic reading on WWII and diversity.
• Makes a thoughtful, meaningful gift for young readers and their families.

About the Author:
Onjali Q. Raúf is an award-winning British author and founder of Making Herstory, a grassroots organisation supporting women and girls affected by abuse and trafficking. She burst onto the children's scene with The Boy at the Back of the Class, winner of the Blue Peter Book Award and Waterstones Children's Book Prize, and shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award. Drawing on her advocacy work, Raúf writes stories tackling difficult, real-world issues with warmth, humour and hope, making her one of the most trusted voices in contemporary children's fiction today.

Why You'll Love This Book:
A gripping WWII mystery with real emotional depth, The Lion Above the Door balances adventure and history with important lessons on identity and belonging - a brilliant, thought-provoking read for children aged 9-11 and beyond.

Please Note: Cover design may vary slightly from the image shown; this listing is for the UK paperback edition with ISBN 9781510106758.