Hope on the Horizon

Hope on the Horizon, a nonfiction book, represents a departure for the award-winning author of The Boy at the Back of the Class and several other highly acclaimed children’s novels. Drawing extensively on her own experiences and work as an activist, this is intended as a children’s handbook on empathy, kindness and making a better world.

The book is structured into ten chapters, each sharing a ‘secret’ for creating change and making the world a kinder place to live in.  Themes include hope, friendship and kindness with encouragement to grow your empathy muscle. The tone is reassuring and encouraging throughout; if you feel worried about what is happening in the world it means you care. The suggestion is to deflect negative feelings away and use worries to fire positive action. There are lots of simple suggestions for this, acknowledging that no one way will suit everyone.

Fictional characters have a central role in the book, reflecting the importance of story both in the form of books and film in the author’s life. They are used as exemplars of key characteristics. Characters featured range from Frodo’s friend Sam in the Lord of the Rings to super heroine She Ra of the eighties TV series. The specific qualities of characters are highlighted as something to aspire to, for example trying to be more ‘Charlie Bucket’ (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) by showing humility or more ‘TinTin’ by asking questions.

Famous people who embody these characteristics are introduced and their contribution described. For example, Greta Thunberg, is shown to display courage, passion, perseverance and hope. There are also links to less well-known heroes. These are often drawn from the author’s real-life friends and colleagues, including those who have worked with her to help refugees in Calais.

Key terms and concepts such as ‘activist’ and ‘feminist’ are defined within the text and there is a fuller glossary at the back of the book as well as links to resources and organisations mentioned in each chapter.

Throughout the book there are pauses for the reader to reflect on their own concerns and aspirations together with a call to action – simple things they can do to make a difference, ranging from writing letters to those in power to simply being aware when a friend needs help.

A warm hearted and encouraging book about hope, change and making a difference. Perfect to share and likely to prompt conversations whether you dip in or read cover to cover. It celebrates many individuals, famous, historical, fictional and unsung and also provides an insight into Onjali Raúf’s own work and passions – including her love of chocolate!