The Lion Above the Door

In The Lion Above the Door, Leo embarks on a quest to uncover overlooked histories, exploring themes of identity and representation in a touching narrative.

From Onjali Q. Rauf, the award-winning author of The Lion Above the Door, comes a heartfelt exploration of identity and history. The story is narrated by Leo, a young Singaporean boy who feels the weight of being different in a predominantly homogenous environment. Despite his father's reassurances that their family is 'special', Leo grapples with the reality that he rarely sees anyone who looks like him in the literature at school. This absence of representation ignites a curiosity in Leo, leading him to question why historical narratives often overlook individuals like him and his family.

During a class trip to a cathedral, Leo's world shifts when he discovers his own name among the WWII heroes commemorated on a marble slab. This revelation sparks a quest for knowledge, as Leo and his friend Sangeeta set out to uncover the stories of those who have been erased from history. Their journey not only seeks to find the identity of the other Leo but also addresses the broader theme of missing narratives, particularly those of women and people of color.

The Lion Above the Door is a poignant tale that highlights the importance of representation in history, encouraging readers to acknowledge and rectify the omissions of the past. Through humor and heart, Rauf invites us to recognize the heroes whose stories deserve to be told, reminding us that everyone has a place in the collective narrative of our shared history.