ONJALI Q RAUF is the celebrated author of The Boy at the Back of the Class- a child's perspective of the refugee crisis told with heart and humour, highlighting the importance of friendship and kindness in a world that can be confusing...
Read on to find out more on Onjali Q Rauf...
1. Onjali Q Rauf is a bestseller!
Her debut novel- The Boy at the Back of the Class was an instant bestseller when it was released.
2. She got the idea whilst recovering from life saving surgery!
Before her debut novel was released, she had visited a refugee camp in Calais, France, and saw Zainab, a refugee who was scavenging through bins to find food despite being 8 months pregnant. Whilst recovering from surgery, Onjali Rauf could not get these images and thoughts from her mind and Zainab (along with her baby Raehan) became the inspiration for the Boy at the Back of the Class.
3. She is a super quick writer
She wrote The Boy at the Back of the Class in just two months!
4. Onjali suffered racist abuse as a child
This is so sad to hear- sadly it is fact that a lot of people from BAME backgrounds are subjected to racist abuse on a daily basis. If you hear racist language, you must report it to a trusted adult.
5. She loved Roald Dahl as a child
Onjali Q Rauf loved reading as a child. Her particular favourite authors were Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton and Frances Hodgson Burnett. Indeed Rauf and her brother would fight over who could read the Tintin books as they had characters from all over the world.
6. Rauf's next book also has serious themes
Her next book will also focus on difficult themes- this time domestic violence. Her distant cousin was murdered by her husband in 2011 which changed Rauf's life. Her cousin, Mumtahina, suffered violence from her husband as soon as they were married.
7. Rauf has her own charity
In response to the terrible abuse her cousin suffered, Onjali Rauf set up a charity called Making Herstory to work towards ending domestic abuse and human trafficking in the UK.
8. Rauf went to Oxford University
Onjali Q Rauf has a Masters from Oxford University in Women's Studies.
9. Her favourite book from childhood is...
Matilda! Good choice Onjali!
10. Her favourite book character is...
Willy Wonka! What a great idea! I would simply love to own a Chocolate Factory!
So there you have it! 10 AMAZING FACTS about the author Onjali Q Rauf! We at Primary School Facts heartily recommend that you take the time to read The Boy at the Back of the Class, which is available in all good bookshops, or you can purchase it here.
Books by ONJALI Q RAUF
Hello I love your book
ReplyDeleteHello
ReplyDelete