The Lion Above the Door by Onjali Q. Raúf
The Lion Above the Door by Onjali Q. Raúf
November 11, 2022
Multi-award-winning children's author Onjali Raúf joined us for an evening by the Lampedusa Cross to talk about the real-life places and people who inspire her writings and works, and replenish her hopes for a world open to helping all refugees, and ending the inhumanities of racism.
Leo and his best friend Sangeeta are the odd ones out in their school. But as Leo's dad is always telling him, it's because they're special. Only thing is, if they're so special, how come they never see anyone who looks like them in their school history books?
Then, on a class trip to a nearby cathedral, Leo's attention is drawn to a large marble slab high above the doors of the hall. Right there, bang in the middle of a list of war heroes, Leo finds himself staring at something incredible: his own name. Desperate to know who this other Leo was, the two friends embark on a search. And together, they begin to uncover missing stories from the past, ones which they are determined to put back into their rightful place in the pages of history.
Touching on themes of historical racism, The Lion Above the Door shines a light on the stories our history books have yet to contain and the power of friendships that can last through generations.
Onjali also spoke about her time with the volunteers at the Calais Jungle and some of the challenges refugees and migrants are facing in the current crises.
Onjali is author of The Lion Above the Door, taking inspiration from Rochester Catheral, and The Boy at the Back of the Class.
A book signing followed, and we were pleased to pick up a signed copy for the Chapter Library.
Hundreds of events and services are conducted every year at the Cathedral as they have for centuries.