Onjali Q. Raúf – författare

OVER HALF A MILLION COPIES SOLD IN THE UK ALONE!TRANSLATED INTO 20+ LANGUAGESWINNER OF THE BLUE PETER BOOK AWARD (UK) 2019WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE (UK) 2019WINNER OF THE SAKURA MEDAL (JAPAN) 2020WINNER OF THE CHILDREN'S COWBELL AWARD (SWITZERLAND) 2021WINNER OF THE PRIX JANUSZ KORCZAK PRIZE (FRANCE) 2022THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS STAGE PLAY NOMINATED FOR AN OLIVIER (UK) 2026'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 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...'On a perfectly ordinary school day, something extraordinary happens: a boy with pale skin, lion eyes and a tattered red rucksack walks in. Unable to speak English and seated at the back of the class, Ahmet 'the refugee kid' becomes the perfect target for bullies and rumours alike.But Ahmet has also captured the attention and empathy of a fellow classmate, who will do anything to help him find his family. Even if that involves a plan - or five, and the Queen herself!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.With beautiful illustrations by Pippa Curnick*BEAUTIFUL GOLD FOIL ANNIVERSARY EDITION NOW AVAILABLE - FIND IT UNDER 'ALL FORMATS AND EDITIONS'*

WINNER OF THE DIVERSITY BOOK AWARDS, CHILDREN (UK) 2020'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 new ones - the ones that have only just been born and are searching for the people they have 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 embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to make sure everyone knows who it belongs to. An adventure that involves 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 story that explores the subtle faces and endless impacts of domestic violence, and celebrates the power of hope and resilience, from Onjali Raúf, the award-winning author of The Boy at the Back of the Class.*Parental guidance recommended: issues relating to domestic abuse included*

'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 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.

'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 - 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! 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...'Meet Hector: a bully whose dastardly antics spiral out of control when, after school one day, he decides to bully a homeless man in the local park. But as London's most famous statues and emblems go missing and its homeless communities are pointed to as the thieves, has Hector managed to pick on the leader of them all? And if so, what can he do in a world that won't believe a word he says?Written in lockdown when - for the first time in history - London's homeless community were gifted shelter, The Night Bus Hero explores themes of bullying and homelessness, and the potential everyone has to change for the good.

'I can't remember how old I was when I first started collecting stamps. But I've got a whole shoebox full of them now.Mam used to help me collect them ... Before she got so ill that she lost her job, her friends...everything.Now it's my job to take care of her and protect her - and my little brother and sister too. But to do that, I have to make Mam a Secret. A secret no-one can ever find out about. Not even my best friends at school, or Mo, our postman. Or the stranger living in the house across the street. The one no-one has seen, but who I know is spying on us. The one I think might be Them...'Deep in the heart of Swansea, Wales, lives a small girl with some big secrets to keep. Secrets that make her one of the best actresses on the planet - because no-one would ever think that, away from school, Audrey is the sole carer for her increasingly sick mam and her two younger siblings ... or a seasoned thief.With her worlds threatened by the arrival of a mysterious, invisible neighbour, behind whose closed curtains and shut front door may lie a spy, Audrey must take matters into her own hands to save her family.Inspired by her beloved collection of stamps, her friendly neighbourhood postman (and fellow stamp collector), and her two best friends, off Audrey must go: on an adventure that will lead her to places - and hearts - she never knew existed.Celebrating the hidden army of Young Carers daily keeping their loved ones alive behind closed doors, and the everyday s/heroes that surround them, The Letter with the Golden Stamp delves into the fears and hopes of Young Carers everywhere, and the invisible sources of kindness knocking on all our doors.

Just after his tenth birthday, the last thing Zak expects to hear is that his mum is having a baby and he has to give up his room for an ageing old grandmother who is coming to live with them! With the help of his friends and a series of cheeky pranks, Zak is convinced it'll be no time before he can reclaim his rightful territory!But Zak soon discovers that his nani is no ordinary old grandma but a former chess prodigy, able to outwit and outdo him - and his friends - at every turn.Just as both players begin to forge a mutual respect and a friendship that might finally overcome all obstacles, Zak begins to notice things. Like how Nani sometimes forgets where she is... Or who Zak is... In a desperate bid to ensure his nani never forgets again, Zak enters her into the chess competition of a lifetime.But will Zak's nani remember long enough to play?

Have you heard of the bird that turned to stone? Or of the extra-specially-super-deliciously-fantastically naughty boy who got a frog stuck in his throat? Has anyone ever told you of the Captain of the Nile who only has six toes?No? Well, tuck yourself in, and let Onjali Raúf entertain you with her first collection of never-before-told fables of magic and mayhem... Beautifully illustrated by Katarzyna Doszla in full colour.From the sand-laden shores of Egypt, where an Axe married a Tree... To the mountains of Japan where dragons and hungry mirrors roam ... To the ancient trees of the Amazon where a bed destined to steal time is forged ... Discover new tales of magic, wonder and imagination, inspired by old sayings, everyday objects and countries of the world.Written with Onjali's trademark heart and humour, and inspired by her travels, Where Magic Grows is a compilation of seven original fairy tales where friendship, kindness - and poetry awaits.

*** 'Every child should read this' *** - Amazon reviewBestselling children's author and human rights campaigner Onjali Raúf invites young readers to discover everything there is to know about kindness, empathy, friendship and fighting for the things that matter. (Not to mention cool things like using our inbuilt X-ray vision and detecting negative forces!)With the help of her favourite fictional characters (from She-Ra to Superman), some of the inspiring people she has been honoured to work with, and a few of her biggest inspirations (from Frederick Douglas to Malala Yousafzai), Onjali motivates budding young activists, showing them that no one is too small to make a difference.Because with a bit of compassion, a big dollop of hope and even the smallest act of kindness, magical things can happen. Hope is on the horizon; here's how children everywhere can find it . . .

A stunning new picture book from Onjali Q. Raúf and Pippa Curnick.There's a new girl in my class. She has eyes as wide and as golden as a tiger's, a face as pale as a glass of milk, and hair as shiny as a mirror. I'd like to be her friend. But she never wants to play with me in the playground or make sandcastles in the sandpit.The cleverest people I know say that the new girl is sad because she had to leave her home, her family, her school, her toys, her books and all her friends too. But I've got a plan! There's something I can do to make her feel better when she's missing everything she's left behind . . .With bold, beautiful artwork by Pippa Curnick, this heartfelt story about the power of friendship and kindness shows young readers what steps they can take to make refugee children feel welcome.

From Onjali Q. Rauf, the bestselling and award-winning author of The Boy at the Back of the Class, and award-winning illustrator Pippa Curnick, comes a moving picture book that helps young children understand and empathise with the refugee crisis, and shows the power that friendship, kindness and generosity can have. There's a new girl in my class. She has eyes as wide and as golden as a tiger's, skin as pale as a glass of milk, and hair as shiny as a mirror. I'd like to be her friend. But she never plays with me in the playground or makes sandcastles in the sandpit. She's doesn't even like Story Time. The cleverest people I know say that the new girl is sad because she had to leave her home, her family, her school, her toys, her books and all her friends too. But I've got an idea! There is something I can do to make her feel better when she's missing everything she's left behind ...

Written with great empathy and Raúf’s trademark humour, this moving story gives a child’s-eye view of the increasing problem of food poverty. On Thursdays, Nelson, Ashley and Mum head out to the bank. But not just any old bank – the food bank. With its shining tins and packets of food stacked from floor to ceiling, Nelson thinks it’s the best kind of bank there is. But there’s a thief in town, and the shelves of the food bank are getting emptier each day, leaving people hungrier than ever. For the sake of his family and everyone else’s, Nelson needs to make them stop. But can he and his friends really be the ones to catch the bank robber? Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

'Nobody would get in this boat unless they had to. Me and my family, we had to.'When they learn that Ahmet came to the UK after fleeing his own war‑torn country, his classmates have 'The Greatest Idea in the World' – a magnificent plan to reunite Ahmet with his family. What follows is an unexpected and often hilarious adventure, all topped off with a terrific twist.Based on the best-selling and award-winning novel by Onjali Q. Raúf, this stage adaptation of The Boy at the Back of the Class is a joyful and heartfelt testament to the power of friendship, and a reminder that everyone needs a place to call home.Nick Ahad's adaptation was first performed in a co-production between the Rose Theatre, Kingston, and Children's Theatre Partnership in 2024, directed by Monique Touko, and was revived on a tour of the UK in 2026. It won Best Family Show at the 2026 Olivier Awards.

In der letzten Reihe unseres Klassenzimmers gab es immer einen leeren Platz. Doch jetzt sitzt dort ein Junge namens Ahmet. Er hat graue Augen, ist neun Jahre alt (genau wie ich) und verhält sich ein bisschen komisch. Aber inzwischen weiß ich, warum: Ahmet kommt aus einem Land, in dem Krieg herrscht und aus dem er fliehen musste. Ganz ohne seine Eltern! Seit ich weiß, dass Ahmet ›Tim und Struppi‹ genauso sehr mag wie ich, will ich seine beste Freundin sein. Deshalb müssen wir ihm unbedingt dabei helfen, seine Eltern wiederzufinden! Die Einzige, die uns dabei unterstützen kann, ist die Queen. Aber wie kommen wir nur in den Buckingham-Palast?

Ich heiße Hector – meine Eltern haben eine Schwäche für griechische Helden. Aber ich glaube, dass sie es bereuen, mir diesen Namen gegeben zu haben. Sie hätten mich lieber "Katastrophe" oder "Hoffnungsloser Fall" nennen sollen. Eigentlich habe ich mich damit abgefunden, dass ich immer nur Ärger bekomme. Aber seit ich dem Mann, der im Park wohnt, einen Streich gespielt habe, ignorieren mich alle nur noch. Dabei habe ich sogar versucht, es wiedergutzumachen! Noch nicht mal jetzt, wo ich einem Komplott gegen die Obdachlosen der Stadt auf die Schliche gekommen bin, hört mir jemand zu! Alle denken, dass ich nur ein Mobber bin. Aber ich werde ihnen beweisen, dass auch ich ein Held sein kann!

Nachdem ihre Mutter verschwunden ist, müssen die zehnjährige Aniyah und ihr kleiner Bruder Noah zu einer Pflegemutter ziehen. Doch Aniyah weiß genau, dass ihre Mutter sie nicht für immer verlassen hat. Denn Menschen mit besonders warm strahlenden Herzen verschwinden nie ganz. Sie werden zu Sternen.Als kurz darauf ein neuer Stern am Himmel entdeckt wird, ist Aniyah sich sicher, dass es sich dabei um ihre Mutter handelt. Doch dann erfährt sie von einem Gewinnspiel, bei dem ein Name für den neuen Stern gesucht wird. Das muss Aniyah unbedingt verhindern! Gemeinsam mit ihren neuen Freunden begibt sie sich auf das Abenteuer ihres Lebens, bei dem nach und nach auch ihre Erinnerungen an den wahren Grund für das Verschwinden ihrer Mutter zurückkehren.Einfühlsam schildert Onjali Q. Raúf die Folgen von häuslicher Gewalt und lässt am Ende Mut und Hoffnung erstrahlen. Für Leser*innen ab 10 Jahren.