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The Lion Above the Door

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( 1,076 ratings, 127 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Lion Above the Door by Onjali Q. Raúf is a touching children's story that follows the adventures of a young boy named Leo. While on a school trip, Leo discovers a hidden connection to a World War II hero, leading him on a quest to uncover forgotten stories of bravery and sacrifice. As Leo delves deeper, he learns valuable lessons about history, identity, and the importance of remembering those who have been overlooked.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$1800
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$1999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy stories filled with adventure and mystery, as it explores themes of friendship and bravery, and dives into the hidden histories that connect to the present day. It's perfect for young readers with a curiosity about the world and a love for discovering untold stories.

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The Lion Above the Door

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.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Ever since I can remember, people have stared at me and my family.

Dad tells me it's because we're 'special'.

But if we're so special, how come nobody ever looks like us in the books at school? Not even the books about world wars ...

As the only Singaporean boy not just in his school, but in the tiny English town he calls home too, Leo witnesses—and feels—the impacts of racism every day. But on a class trip to a nearby cathedral, Leo's attention is drawn to a marble slab high above the doors of the hall. Right there, bang in the middle of a list of WWII war heroes, Leo finds himself staring at something incredible: his own name.

Desperate to know who this other Leo was, and with Sangeeta asking why women are missing from the history books too, the two friends embark on an epic search. One that will help uncover missing s/heroes from the past, who each deserve to take their rightful place in the pages of history.

Touching on themes of historical racisms and eradications, The Lion Above the Door shines a light on the millions of s/heroes still missing from our history books, and the power that lies in all of us to rectify past wrongs.

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.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Lion Above the Door by Onjali Q. Raúf has been well-received, with praise highlighting its engaging plot and thoughtful exploration of themes such as family, identity, and bravery. It has been recognised for its ability to weave mystery and historical elements into a narrative suitable for young readers, following a group of children as they investigate a war memorial in Rochester Cathedral.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781510106758

Publisher: Hachette Children's Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 14 October 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Orion Children's Books

Edition: Digital original

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 126.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 315g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize in 2019, the Blue Peter Book Prize 2019, and other international accolades since, Onjali Q Rauf's first book The Boy at the Back of the Class was inspired by a baby met in the refugee camps of Calais, France, whilst on an aid convoy for her organisation, O's Refugee Aid Team. Telling the story of a group of friends befriending a refugee boy at school with depth and humour, it continues to be a must-read for children and adults around the world.

Rauf's second release went on to win the Diversity Book Award for Children's Fiction (UK) 2020. The Star Outside My Window drew on her experiences as founder and CEO of Making Herstory - an organisation working to help women and children flee the impacts of male-led domestic violence. Her ongoing works with homeless communities, food banks, homeless shelters, as well as her personal experiences of racism, sexism and bullying, led to the releases of The Night Bus Hero, The Great Food Bank Heist and ultimately, The Lion Above the Door.

Following an influx of enquiries from children about how to aid refugees and the homeless, or fight for the environment and the rights of women and girls, Rauf wrote her first non-fiction title Hope on the Horizon, as a personal guide to budding young activists everywhere.

In 2023, a deep love for funny sayings coupled with that of travelling, led to the release Where Magic Grows: a collection of of seven original fairy tales in which Rauf celebrates the peoples and cultures of such lands as Syria, Egypt, Japan and India.

Rauf was recognised for her services to literature and women's rights in the 2022 New Year Honours.

Twitter: @OnjaliRauf / @MakeHerstory1 / @O_Refugee

Website: www.onjaliqrauf.org

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