The Star Outside My Window - Onjali Rauf

Having loved The Boy At The Back Of The Class, it was with a

great deal of excitement that we opened up the parcel when it was delivered (huge thanks to Dominic at Hachette Children's for sending it our way).  There may have been squealing!  Anyway, it didn't take long for us to get stuck in and we weren't disappointed!

Aniyah and her brother have been taken to live with a foster mother after their own mother 'left'.  They'd been living in a hotel-that-wasn't-a-hotel, playing a game of hide and seek from their dad when Aniyah heard her mum leave.  Now their mum's heart has turned into a star that the Royal Observatory want to name and Aniyah is determined to find a way to name it after her mum.  With the help of Ben and Travis, can Aniyah succeed?

K's Opinion.
This book deals with the very difficult subject of domestic abuse in an incredibly sensitive and child-friendly way.  Told from Aniyah's point of view, you get to see the effects without directly referring to the actual abuse.

Aniyah's story is heartbreaking and I'm not ashamed to say that I cried several times (did it get to me more because I'm an adult?  Possibly but that doesn't detract from the message) however, her adventure and her determination are equally heartwarming.  It's clear to see the effects of the situation on Aniyah (and Noah), and the many layers of emotions to the character are to be applauded - there must be many children in this or similar situations who will find solace in seeing they they're not alone.  Equally, I like the portrayal of the other characters: Mrs Iwuchukwu, the foster mum, as well as Sophie, Travis and Ben who are also under her care - again, there will be children who will be pleased to see characters to whom they can relate. 

Onjali is quickly and very successfully making a huge success of writing books that tackle sensitive in an age appropriate and brilliant way.  Children in all situations need to know that they aren't alone and Onjali is doing an excellent job of showing them that.  This is a simply wonderful book (I read it in a day!) that is just bound to win awards!  However, more than anything, it's a compelling story that will warm the hearts of all who read it. 

O's opinion
WOW!!! I absolutely loved this book! I'd even go as far as saying it is better than The Boy at the Back Of the Class which I absolutely adored (I remember wandering around the market in Barcelona last year spotting pomegranates) !! I loved how Aniyah never gave up finding a way to her mum, even if it meant breaking all the rules. I found how the story shows the way that abuse can change someone's life, and the way Onjali wrote about this particular subject incredibly skillful. I loved how Travis and Ben quickly became like brothers to her, and helped her no matter what, even when they had to disobey their foster mother. I think that everyone deserves friends like that, especially after what she had been through.
This is an incredibly well written book that will get to the hearts of many people, children and adults alike. What a book!