The Star Outside My Window: Onjali Q. Rauf

Product Information

As a star hunter, Aniyah's interest in astrology helps her to knows Mum is out there somewhere - and then her foster brothers and her hear about the new star in the sky. Speaking of astronomy, one of the other things I loved about The Star Outside My Window was the positive representation of women in science. So when a new star is spotted acting strangely in the sky, Aniyah is sure it's her mum, and she embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to make sure everyone else knows, too - an adventure that involves breaking into the Royal Observatory of London, a mischievous scurry of squirrels and the biggest star in Hollywood. In her spare time, she delivers emergency aid convoys for refugee families surviving in Calais and Dunkirk, and supports interfaith projects.

I actually got incredibly emotional reading the content warning because it really drives home the fact that while this book is fiction, for so many children this is their reality.

Now, the adventure is fun and compelling reading, but the adult in me wonders if this would give kids ideas - it's all very realistic, risky, and totally possible. They played it well, yet one day she didn’t pick them up, and something like an explosion burst in Aniyah’s chest. Lots of talk would be needed as it’s such a sensitive and important topic so a safe space for children to discuss any concerns or ask questions would definitely be required.

Towards the end of the novel, there's a reference to Greek mythology where Aniyah learns the tale of the Seven Sisters who were turned into stars and placed up in sky out of Orion's reach so that he couldn't take them. Most of the time I have to look around to see what she's smiling at, because usually you need a reason to smile.

Aniyah also doesn't understand where Dad is, though she doesn’t miss having to be quiet to avoid setting off his “triggers”. It's hard being in a new home, even though Mrs Iwuchukwu doesn't mind them being noisy, or even changing Noah's sheets when he wets the bed every night.