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Onjali Q. Raúf, Author
Imprint: Orion Children's Books
Publication date: August 28, 2025
Category: Family & home stories (Children's / Teenage)
ISBN: 9781510108967
Just after his tenth birthday, the last thing Zak expects to hear is that his mum is having a baby and he has to give up his room for an ageing old grandmother who is coming to live with them!
With the help of his friends and a series of cheeky pranks, Zak is convinced it’ll be no time before he can reclaim his rightful territory!
But Zak soon discovers that his nani is no ordinary old grandma but a former chess prodigy, able to outwit and outdo him – and his friends – at every turn.
Just as both players begin to forge a mutual respect and a friendship that might finally overcome all obstacles, Zak begins to notice things. Like how Nani sometimes forgets where she is… Or who Zak is…
In a desperate bid to ensure his nani never forgets again, Zak enters her into the chess competition of a lifetime.
But will Zak’s nani remember long enough to play?
Onjali Q. Raúf is the founder of Making Herstory, an organisation mobilising men, women and children from all walks of life to tackle the abuse and trafficking of women and girls in the UK and beyond. She is also the founder of O’s Refugee Aid Team, which provides support for refugee families surviving in Calais and Dunkirk.
She is an award-winning and best-selling author of books for children that tackle the issues of today. Her titles include The Boy at the Back of the Class, The Star Outside My Window, The Night Bus Hero, and The Lion Above the Door.