This was my 250th book read according to my personal notes this year, this doesn’t include the many picture and early chapter books I pick up with the girls though but it is a pretty huge achievement and I’m glad it was this book.
I’ll admit I was a little wobbly about reading this, I knew what it was about, what happens and that I would likely be a sobbing mess by the end of it. I tend to avoid books that are likely to make me cry for MH reasons but feeling a little stronger, I am so glad I gave it a go even though it made me cry, there is a courage and an uplifting take from this book.

This book is about the experience of two young children desperately trying to ensure a star is named after their mother in the immediate aftermath of a failed escape attempt from domestic violence.
As adults we immediately know what that is likely to mean, but a child reader may or may not depending on their life experience and as the narrative unfolds and there are brief discussions and childlike alludes to their perception and experience of domestic violence both physical and emotional the truth of these children’s former lives becomes gut wrenching clear from their perception of normal such as the way their dad was constantly ‘rearranging the furniture’, ‘games’ to keep dad happy, and especially Aniyah becoming a ‘pleaser’ who has learned to be compliant so as not to ‘flip switches’ in people. It is very important to be aware of this going in especially if you think this could be triggering for the reader.
But this isn’t a doom and gloom style gritty memoir, this is pure and heartfelt and hopeful and so very very beautiful and innocent I could get weepy again. Raúf does not sugarcoat not dress up the realities of lives like these, but she takes a loving hand that raises up these stories rather than exploiting for shock value; a truly caring gesture for both the reader and those whose real lives resemble these circumstances.
Hello mum….
Hello mum….
It’s also a powerful statement to place this within the care system, again not painting rainbows of a sadly flawed and struggling system nor avoiding talking about those caters who do not act in best interests, but alongside these asides Raúf is highlighting the human sunshine within where it can be found such as the wonderful foster mum Mrs Iwuchukwu.
Furthermore, actually giving children in care stories they can see themselves in beyond the likes of Tracey Beaker (who is actually a mum herself now) , here an adventure story alongside the drama with children in foster care for different reasons choose to be each other’s family and make Aniyah’s dream come true, I could cry all over again.
This writer is a powerhouse for empathy, this book is so packed full of love and heartbreaking hope I struggled to read the last few chapters for the tears, books like these are necessary to build empathy and understanding of different situations to our own to understand what unites us rather than dividing each other down angry partisan lines.
A must-read.
The Star Outside my Window by Onjali Q Raúf is published by Orion Children’s books
What an amazing review Lily; you have really captured the emotion, hope and love captured in this beautiful story.
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Thank you so much 😊 it is an emotive but beautiful read
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I’m glad to get a bit more of a feel for thus book from your review as it’s not one I’m likely to pick up. Thanks 😊
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Yes it’s a challenging one, I cried throughout I’m a huge softy, but there is something magical, something that calls up adventure stories about this book despite the sad circumstances. It’s incredibly clever and powerful.
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Ah, bless you! Good to know how highly you rated it!
Have you read Boy at the Back of the Class? How do you feel it compared to that – I know very different subjects but in style etc?
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I’ve not read that yet so I can’t comment on similarities or differences unfortunately.
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I didn’t remember you mentioning it! Be interested to see what you think if/when you do read it.
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This is a wonderfully heartfelt review. I really want to read this but I also know it will be a difficult read.
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It is a difficult read as an adult who knows fully well what’s happened from the language around their arrival in care. I’m a huge softy and I’m glad I read it, it has a magic in it that lifts it out if the dark and has those children reaching for the stars.
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I loved The Boy at the Back of the Class even though I cried lots. I’m definitely going to try to read this one but think I’ll save it for the New Year.
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It’s tough but ultimately uplifting, a lovely way for new year, new hope sort of thing
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This sounds so good but I’m pretty sure I’d be a teary mess afterwards. Lovely review Lily!! Also, congrats on 250 books 😄 Jen
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Thank you Jen!! This book is fantastic, got a feel of an old adventure story but modern day and then the absolute heartbreak of the circumstances. I was a sobbing mess but I coped which I think is testament to the skill of Onjali as a writer 💜
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I saw this on Amazon but resisted as I was worried it would be too sad! But this review is amazing and makes me want to give it a second chance and maybe pick it up at some point!
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Thank you so much 😊 I would definitely give it a chance, I was so worried about it I put it off for ages, and yes I sobbed but it was so uplifting overall that it was worth the tears! I hope you enjoy it too 💜
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