Onjali Q. Raúf 4 Books Collection Set - Middle Grade Fiction Ages 9-12 - Paperback

Titles in This Set
The Boy at the Back of the Class
The Star Outside My Window
The Night Bus Hero
The Lion Above the Door

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Orion Children's Books
Age Range: Ages 9-12 (Grades 4-7)

Overview
This four-book paperback set brings together beloved middle-grade novels by British author and human rights activist Onjali Q. Raúf. The Boy at the Back of the Class, The Star Outside My Window, The Night Bus Hero, and The Lion Above the Door follow young protagonists facing displacement, loss, mischief, and belonging with courage and heart. Written in warm, accessible prose, these stories introduce big themes through relatable child narrators. Perfect for home bookshelves, classroom libraries, or a thoughtful gift, this set offers hours of moving, empathy-building reading for kids ages 9 to 12.

About the Books
Onjali Q. Raúf writes middle-grade fiction that tackles difficult, real-world subjects without ever losing warmth, humor, or hope. Each of the four novels centers a child narrator whose ordinary world is upended by something extraordinary — a new classmate who does not speak English, a mysterious light outside a bedroom window, a late-night bus route, or a stone lion above an old door. Rather than shying away from complexity, Raúf trusts young readers to grapple with big questions about fairness, family, history, and community, always through the eyes of relatable, funny, and brave kids. The Boy at the Back of the Class follows a classroom's response to a new student who has fled conflict, exploring friendship and allyship through small, everyday acts of kindness. The Star Outside My Window imagines a child processing a family separation through the wonder of astronomy and the night sky. The Night Bus Hero introduces a mischievous boy whose detention-fueled schemes turn into real bravery when he uncovers hidden struggles in his own city. The Lion Above the Door sends its young hero on a quest through wartime history and family memory, uncovering stories hidden in plain sight. Together, these four novels form a rich, moving reading journey well suited to independent readers, family read-alouds, or classroom units exploring empathy, social studies, and history.

Key Benefits

• Four brand-new paperback novels by Onjali Q. Raúf in one convenient set
• Builds empathy around refugee experiences and family separation
• Accessible prose for confident readers ages 9 to 12 (Grades 4-7)
• Great for classroom libraries and book club discussions
• Thoughtful gift for birthdays, holidays, or back-to-school

Book-by-Book Guide
The Boy at the Back of the Class — A classroom befriends a new student who has fled conflict, and learns what real friendship means.
The Star Outside My Window — A girl copes with family separation by watching a strange new star in the night sky.
The Night Bus Hero — A boy famous for detentions and mischief stumbles into an unexpected act of real bravery.
The Lion Above the Door — A curious child follows an old carving to uncover a hidden piece of wartime family history.

About the Author
Onjali Q. Raúf is a British author and human rights activist known for weaving urgent, real-world social issues into warm, hopeful stories for young readers. Before turning to children's fiction, she worked directly with refugees and families affected by displacement and violence, experience that informs the empathy in her novels. Her books consistently center ordinary children who choose courage, kindness, and curiosity when faced with extraordinary circumstances. Raúf's storytelling resonates with teachers, librarians, and young readers for making complex topics feel personal, accessible, and full of hope.

Why You'll Love This Collection
This collection pairs page-turning storytelling with genuine heart, making it a standout gift for birthdays, the holiday season, or the start of a new school year. Kids build empathy while staying hooked on relatable characters and gentle mysteries, making it a meaningful addition to any home library, classroom shelf, or summer reading list.

Please Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.