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The Letter with the Golden Stamp
'I can't remember how old I was when I first started collecting stamps. But I've got a whole shoebox full of them now.
Mam used to help me collect them ... Before she got so ill that she lost her job, her friends...everything.
Now it's my job to take care of her and protect her - and my little brother and sister too. But to do that, I have to make Mam a Secret. A secret no-one can ever find out about. Not even my best friends at school, or Mo, our postman.
Or the stranger living in the house across the street. The one no-one has seen, but who I know is spying on us.
The one I think might be Them...'
Deep in the heart of Swansea, Wales, lives a small girl with some big secrets to keep. Secrets that make her one of the best actresses on the planet - because no-one would ever think that, away from school, Audrey is the sole carer for her increasingly sick mam and her two younger siblings ... or a seasoned thief.
With her worlds threatened by the arrival of a mysterious, invisible neighbour, behind whose closed curtains and shut front door may lie a spy, Audrey must take matters into her own hands to save her family.
Inspired by her beloved collection of stamps, her friendly neighbourhood postman (and fellow stamp collector), and her two best friends, off Audrey must on an adventure that will lead her to places - and hearts - she never knew existed.
Celebrating the hidden army of Young Carers daily keeping their loved ones alive behind closed doors, and the everyday s/heroes that surround them, The Letter with the Golden Stamp delves into the fears and hopes of Young Carers everywhere, and the invisible sources of kindness knocking on all our doors.
Mam used to help me collect them ... Before she got so ill that she lost her job, her friends...everything.
Now it's my job to take care of her and protect her - and my little brother and sister too. But to do that, I have to make Mam a Secret. A secret no-one can ever find out about. Not even my best friends at school, or Mo, our postman.
Or the stranger living in the house across the street. The one no-one has seen, but who I know is spying on us.
The one I think might be Them...'
Deep in the heart of Swansea, Wales, lives a small girl with some big secrets to keep. Secrets that make her one of the best actresses on the planet - because no-one would ever think that, away from school, Audrey is the sole carer for her increasingly sick mam and her two younger siblings ... or a seasoned thief.
With her worlds threatened by the arrival of a mysterious, invisible neighbour, behind whose closed curtains and shut front door may lie a spy, Audrey must take matters into her own hands to save her family.
Inspired by her beloved collection of stamps, her friendly neighbourhood postman (and fellow stamp collector), and her two best friends, off Audrey must on an adventure that will lead her to places - and hearts - she never knew existed.
Celebrating the hidden army of Young Carers daily keeping their loved ones alive behind closed doors, and the everyday s/heroes that surround them, The Letter with the Golden Stamp delves into the fears and hopes of Young Carers everywhere, and the invisible sources of kindness knocking on all our doors.
212 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2024
About the author
Onjali Q. Raúf
33 books301 followersOnjali Q. Rauf 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. In her spare time she delivers emergency aid convoys for refugee families surviving in Calais and Dunkirk, and supports interfaith projects.
Her first novel, The Boy at the Back of the Class, has sold over 100,000 copies and won multiple awards. Her second book, The Star Outside My Window, publishes in October 2019.
Her first novel, The Boy at the Back of the Class, has sold over 100,000 copies and won multiple awards. Her second book, The Star Outside My Window, publishes in October 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
October 30, 2026
3 stars ⭐️ Secular Middle-Grade
I collected stamps too when I was Audrey’s age, so hearing about her collection and love for stamps was really cute—and what made me buy this book at Waterstones over Christmas when I had never heard of the author before. Well, the stamp on the cover and the gold foiling! Those are definitely selling points in my eyes! 😁 I’ve always been fascinated by the postal system here in the States, so I was excited to find a book that had more about the Royal Mail. Plus, I didn’t know anything about Welsh culture, so it was interesting to learn and research through this book.
Book starts with the consequences of Audrey’s actions and then her telling the whole story to the adults asking her questions—no flashbacks, just her telling what happened, why she did it all, and how it all worked out. This was a very different way to tell a story, but I honestly liked it! Her story telling reminded me of Pippi Longstockings in the little-kid logical kind of way. There were many comments from Audrey and other kids that aren’t quite right—such as a serial killer because called a “crazy cereal-chomping killer”, Audrey calling herself hard-nose criminal because her nose has gotten stiff, and “closet-phobic” instead of claustrophobic. I don’t know if a young reader would pick up on these, but as an adult, I laughed multiple times.
I did catch a typo (Georgie is called George once), but else wise the story is written as if Audrey is telling everything that’s happened in her first-person POV to two adults at the police station—I had to laugh at her run-on sentences because that’s definitely how I talk as well!
I don’t like it when a main character in a middle-grade book lies or steals—and I hate to say “but”—but, Audrey knows all of this is wrong. She feels guilt over shoplifting and plans to pay everyone back one day, but there isn’t enough money for food so she’s in a hard place. Because of the reason and her guilt, these scenes made her actions a little more understandable. She’s not a bad kid or doing the shoplifting just because she’s bored, she’s doing it for the sake of her family. Still wrong and illegal, don’t get me wrong, but because there was a good reason for it and her guilt was evident (and how it was handled at the end), I wasn’t bothered as much by these scenes. There’s also a good resolution at the end of the book regarding all of this and I’m satisfied by it and her attitude.
Audrey doesn’t really have strange-danger awareness about these new suspicious neighbors—she knocks on their door a lot, leaves a message in their mail flap, and offers to wash their car. Thankfully, they aren’t robbers or anything like that so it ends up okay by the end, but I would caution against a middle-grade kiddo doing this in real life. 😅
I was a little bummed in the ending regarding Audrey’s dad which lowered my rating by .5 a star, but the rest of the ending was very precious and I loved seeing more of Audrey and her community/neighbors. Overall a pretty enjoyable and feel-good story about a determined nine-year-old who loves her family. Usually I wouldn’t recommend a middle-grade book about a character who lies and steals, but she wishes she didn’t have to do it and there’s good discussions about it by the end, so I think this book could work for ages 10+.
Main Content-
Religious + Ghosts-
The author thanks God in her acknowledgments at the end of the book (she is Muslim according to social media).
Audrey’s little siblings think the house across the street is “haunted” (one thinks by “a ghost in a white bedsheet”, the other thinks by “a group of hairy monsters”); Audrey says she knows it’s not haunted by ghosts or monsters because she’s “way too old” to believe in such things, and even if ghosts and monsters did exist, she doubts they’d have use for the car in front of the suspicious house.
Audrey mixes up the word “hypnosis” and “hypothesis” (and is corrected by an adult).
Mentions of luck & being lucky; A few mentions of chapels (and Audrey saying that the people at the chapels in Wales are always super nice); A mention of Eid.
Negative + Dangerous-
The book starts with Audrey in a police station after she’s apparently done something wrong because she is being asked questions, told that no one is going to press charges, and Audrey wonders if she’ll still get a criminal record and end up in jail; Audrey refers to herself as a criminal, but only when she “absolutely [has] to”; *Spoilers*.
Audrey is afraid of “Them” (also referred to as “They” and called ‘spies’) who know everything that is happening with Audrey’s family and plan to take everyone she loves away from her (social service workers—which Audrey describes as “the ones that spy on you and try to catch you doing things wrong so they can take you away from your family”); Audrey goes back and forth commenting about “Them” taking her and her siblings away, but also “Them” taking her mom away; *Spoilers* .
Audrey says she has to know everything because that’s the only way she can keep her family and their secret safe; Audrey explains that she and her siblings are so good at acting like everything is okay, even on bad days.
Audrey’s mom is sick (advanced osteoarthritis) & Audrey tries to keep from worrying her because if she worries too much, her hands shake really badly and her breathing gets noisy which scares Audrey and her siblings; Because of this, Audrey tries to only tell her mom what she absolutely has to and try to solve the rest by herself; Audrey tries to focus on the most important thing: getting home quickly to her mom because she’s always worried about her and wondering if she’s okay (there were two times that she got home and her mom wasn’t okay which made Audrey think her “life was over”); Audrey’s mom rarely leaves her room because it’s the safest place for her; Audrey says that on somedays, her mom’s pain is like there’s “monsters inside her are twisting her all up and hunting her so much” and has to scream because of the pain; Audrey doesn’t go to school on those days or on the days where she can tell her mom is lying to her about her pain; Her mom’s pain is very bad and it worries Audrey, so Audrey decides she will do anything it takes to make her mom’s life better—even when that sometimes means being a criminal; Audrey asks the two adults listening to her story to not tell her mom about what she did because she’s afraid the truth would make her mom worse and hate Audrey forever (the adults say they won’t tell unless they have to; Audrey thinks that “Maybe after I tell them everything, if they have to tell Mam about it, they can make her understand that I didn’t ever mean to become what I am, and that sometimes it’s the world that makes you into things, even when they’re the last things you ever want to be.”); Audrey’s mom screams after a fall and Audrey calls the emergency line, but it was very scary for her and her siblings (Audrey never wants to see her mom like that again because she looked broken and like a rag doll on the floor; Her mom is okay after being checked out by the doctors).
Shortly after her mom got sick, Audrey’s dad said he “felt lost” and her mom “told him to get lost”, so then he left and they haven’t seen him since in the last two years; Audrey wants to contact her dad because her mom’s health is worsening and they need help; When searching her mom’s phone (secretly) to find her dad’s contact info, his proper name didn’t come up, so Audrey thinks that maybe it’s under a not nice nickname because of their past loud arguments and looks under “FART HEAD” and “BUCKET FACE” (which she remembers her mom calling her dad during fights); *Major Spoilers* .
Money is tight for Audrey’s family: Audrey has noted that her mom has said she’s not hungry “loads of times” so that there would be food for her and her siblings; Because of this, Audrey decides she has to become a “lifter criminal” (shoplifter) and only does it when she really really has to (she calls it “borrowing things to help us stop starving”); Audrey feels guilty about her first time shoplifting and still feels guilty each time after (she’s kept count of all the money she owes the shops so she can repay them one day) and she tells about her first time shoplifting, the couple times he was caught, and describes the most recent time where she only shares her tips/hacks into shoplifting (such as watching for the store owner and cameras, always buying other things, and stealing things that aren’t noisy; This all lasts about twenty pages and Audrey’s guilt is very noticeable, but also her determination for her family); *Spoiler* .
Audrey says it’s her job to help around the house as much as she can and to keep the rest of her family together (this involves cooking dinner and helping her mom with basic things) & feels responsible for making sure her mom is okay; Audrey sacrifices her interests and hopes in order to take care of her family.
In her school journal, Audrey writes about pretend things that she imagines have happened to her (this is due to her not having the opportunity to due the things she actually wants to do or places to go to because her family doesn’t have enough money to do them; She calls it “pretending” and the word “lying” is never used); She does this to appear to her class like everyone else so they don’t suspect her family’s secret.
Audrey goes and talks to neighbors without an adult (her mom is fine with this because she knows most of the neighbors).
Audrey has the idea of playing the lottery to win the money her family needs, but would still need someone to buy the tickets and she would need the money for them in the first place (“and what if I played and played and never won?”); Audrey also has the idea to break into the suspicious house in case they are jewelry thieves, but rejects that idea because of different reasons.
Injuries & Pain.
Language, Lying, + Attitudes-
1 ‘duh’,
4 ‘stupid’.
Some eye rolling & sarcasm; Eavesdropping (on her mom’s doctor appointments because her mom won’t tell her everything); Audrey’s friend says something is “wicked!” (meaning smart/brilliant in the context) thrice; Audrey’s two best friends bicker with each other at times.
Audrey does lie somewhat often throughout the book:
1- Audrey tells about lying on accident (“I hadn’t mean to! It was one of those lies that slip out of your mouth before your brain has even thought of it.”).
2- Audrey also lied to her mom about a project being for school when it really wasn’t & the same lie to neighbors when asked (and expounds on it) due to her investigation of the suspicious neighbors.
3- Audrey says all the lying you have to do is another horrible thing about being a criminal.
4- She lies again (in order to protect her mom from “Them”) & also to her friends (about her mom not being sick, but tells the truth shortly after on that regard);
5- Audrey lies to her mom (in a way that, she notes, isn’t a “big red lie” but not a “small white one either”, so she guesses it was more like a “pinkish” lie).
6- Audrey lies about her investigation being a school project & gets her friends involved in the lies as well (later a friend lies to other classmates to protect Audrey’s secret).
Audrey has kept her stamp collection a secret from her family and friends for two years because “whoever heard of a cool stamp collector? No one, that’s who.”; Audrey has never let her friends walk home with her or come to her house because of the secret.
Audrey snaps at her little sister who then starts crying, so she bribes her with chocolate to stop crying; Audrey says little siblings can be annoying and didn’t want to take them along with her, but does so they don’t bother their mom.
Audrey sneaks through her mom’s bedroom, things, & phone to try to find information about her dad’s whereabouts.
Audrey is invited to a party by a girl at school and she really wants to go, but knows she can’t because of all that it would involve that it’s possible (getting to the girl’s house, her mom dropping her off, buying a good present, and leaving the house for more than twenty minutes).
Mentions of the suspicious neighbor possibly being a murderer or a “crazy cereal-chomping killer”; Mentions of robbers, robberies, stealing, stolen items, criminals, & crimes; Mentions of jails & arrests; Mentions of injuries & pain; Mentions of lies & lying; A few mentions of eavesdropping & rumors; A couple mentions of fires & accidents; A mention of a car crash.
Other-
A few mentions of Medusa (a story of her was read in Audrey’s school; A mention of her hair with snakes in it and turning people to stone); A few mentions of Santa; A couple mentions of zombies; A couple mentions of vampires; A few mentions of aliens; A mention of Halloween.
I collected stamps too when I was Audrey’s age, so hearing about her collection and love for stamps was really cute—and what made me buy this book at Waterstones over Christmas when I had never heard of the author before. Well, the stamp on the cover and the gold foiling! Those are definitely selling points in my eyes! 😁 I’ve always been fascinated by the postal system here in the States, so I was excited to find a book that had more about the Royal Mail. Plus, I didn’t know anything about Welsh culture, so it was interesting to learn and research through this book.
Book starts with the consequences of Audrey’s actions and then her telling the whole story to the adults asking her questions—no flashbacks, just her telling what happened, why she did it all, and how it all worked out. This was a very different way to tell a story, but I honestly liked it! Her story telling reminded me of Pippi Longstockings in the little-kid logical kind of way. There were many comments from Audrey and other kids that aren’t quite right—such as a serial killer because called a “crazy cereal-chomping killer”, Audrey calling herself hard-nose criminal because her nose has gotten stiff, and “closet-phobic” instead of claustrophobic. I don’t know if a young reader would pick up on these, but as an adult, I laughed multiple times.
I did catch a typo (Georgie is called George once), but else wise the story is written as if Audrey is telling everything that’s happened in her first-person POV to two adults at the police station—I had to laugh at her run-on sentences because that’s definitely how I talk as well!
I don’t like it when a main character in a middle-grade book lies or steals—and I hate to say “but”—but, Audrey knows all of this is wrong. She feels guilt over shoplifting and plans to pay everyone back one day, but there isn’t enough money for food so she’s in a hard place. Because of the reason and her guilt, these scenes made her actions a little more understandable. She’s not a bad kid or doing the shoplifting just because she’s bored, she’s doing it for the sake of her family. Still wrong and illegal, don’t get me wrong, but because there was a good reason for it and her guilt was evident (and how it was handled at the end), I wasn’t bothered as much by these scenes. There’s also a good resolution at the end of the book regarding all of this and I’m satisfied by it and her attitude.
Audrey doesn’t really have strange-danger awareness about these new suspicious neighbors—she knocks on their door a lot, leaves a message in their mail flap, and offers to wash their car. Thankfully, they aren’t robbers or anything like that so it ends up okay by the end, but I would caution against a middle-grade kiddo doing this in real life. 😅
I was a little bummed in the ending regarding Audrey’s dad which lowered my rating by .5 a star, but the rest of the ending was very precious and I loved seeing more of Audrey and her community/neighbors. Overall a pretty enjoyable and feel-good story about a determined nine-year-old who loves her family. Usually I wouldn’t recommend a middle-grade book about a character who lies and steals, but she wishes she didn’t have to do it and there’s good discussions about it by the end, so I think this book could work for ages 10+.
Main Content-
Religious + Ghosts-
The author thanks God in her acknowledgments at the end of the book (she is Muslim according to social media).
Audrey’s little siblings think the house across the street is “haunted” (one thinks by “a ghost in a white bedsheet”, the other thinks by “a group of hairy monsters”); Audrey says she knows it’s not haunted by ghosts or monsters because she’s “way too old” to believe in such things, and even if ghosts and monsters did exist, she doubts they’d have use for the car in front of the suspicious house.
Audrey mixes up the word “hypnosis” and “hypothesis” (and is corrected by an adult).
Mentions of luck & being lucky; A few mentions of chapels (and Audrey saying that the people at the chapels in Wales are always super nice); A mention of Eid.
Negative + Dangerous-
The book starts with Audrey in a police station after she’s apparently done something wrong because she is being asked questions, told that no one is going to press charges, and Audrey wonders if she’ll still get a criminal record and end up in jail; Audrey refers to herself as a criminal, but only when she “absolutely [has] to”; *Spoilers*.
Audrey is afraid of “Them” (also referred to as “They” and called ‘spies’) who know everything that is happening with Audrey’s family and plan to take everyone she loves away from her (social service workers—which Audrey describes as “the ones that spy on you and try to catch you doing things wrong so they can take you away from your family”); Audrey goes back and forth commenting about “Them” taking her and her siblings away, but also “Them” taking her mom away; *Spoilers* .
Audrey says she has to know everything because that’s the only way she can keep her family and their secret safe; Audrey explains that she and her siblings are so good at acting like everything is okay, even on bad days.
Audrey’s mom is sick (advanced osteoarthritis) & Audrey tries to keep from worrying her because if she worries too much, her hands shake really badly and her breathing gets noisy which scares Audrey and her siblings; Because of this, Audrey tries to only tell her mom what she absolutely has to and try to solve the rest by herself; Audrey tries to focus on the most important thing: getting home quickly to her mom because she’s always worried about her and wondering if she’s okay (there were two times that she got home and her mom wasn’t okay which made Audrey think her “life was over”); Audrey’s mom rarely leaves her room because it’s the safest place for her; Audrey says that on somedays, her mom’s pain is like there’s “monsters inside her are twisting her all up and hunting her so much” and has to scream because of the pain; Audrey doesn’t go to school on those days or on the days where she can tell her mom is lying to her about her pain; Her mom’s pain is very bad and it worries Audrey, so Audrey decides she will do anything it takes to make her mom’s life better—even when that sometimes means being a criminal; Audrey asks the two adults listening to her story to not tell her mom about what she did because she’s afraid the truth would make her mom worse and hate Audrey forever (the adults say they won’t tell unless they have to; Audrey thinks that “Maybe after I tell them everything, if they have to tell Mam about it, they can make her understand that I didn’t ever mean to become what I am, and that sometimes it’s the world that makes you into things, even when they’re the last things you ever want to be.”); Audrey’s mom screams after a fall and Audrey calls the emergency line, but it was very scary for her and her siblings (Audrey never wants to see her mom like that again because she looked broken and like a rag doll on the floor; Her mom is okay after being checked out by the doctors).
Shortly after her mom got sick, Audrey’s dad said he “felt lost” and her mom “told him to get lost”, so then he left and they haven’t seen him since in the last two years; Audrey wants to contact her dad because her mom’s health is worsening and they need help; When searching her mom’s phone (secretly) to find her dad’s contact info, his proper name didn’t come up, so Audrey thinks that maybe it’s under a not nice nickname because of their past loud arguments and looks under “FART HEAD” and “BUCKET FACE” (which she remembers her mom calling her dad during fights); *Major Spoilers* .
Money is tight for Audrey’s family: Audrey has noted that her mom has said she’s not hungry “loads of times” so that there would be food for her and her siblings; Because of this, Audrey decides she has to become a “lifter criminal” (shoplifter) and only does it when she really really has to (she calls it “borrowing things to help us stop starving”); Audrey feels guilty about her first time shoplifting and still feels guilty each time after (she’s kept count of all the money she owes the shops so she can repay them one day) and she tells about her first time shoplifting, the couple times he was caught, and describes the most recent time where she only shares her tips/hacks into shoplifting (such as watching for the store owner and cameras, always buying other things, and stealing things that aren’t noisy; This all lasts about twenty pages and Audrey’s guilt is very noticeable, but also her determination for her family); *Spoiler* .
Audrey says it’s her job to help around the house as much as she can and to keep the rest of her family together (this involves cooking dinner and helping her mom with basic things) & feels responsible for making sure her mom is okay; Audrey sacrifices her interests and hopes in order to take care of her family.
In her school journal, Audrey writes about pretend things that she imagines have happened to her (this is due to her not having the opportunity to due the things she actually wants to do or places to go to because her family doesn’t have enough money to do them; She calls it “pretending” and the word “lying” is never used); She does this to appear to her class like everyone else so they don’t suspect her family’s secret.
Audrey goes and talks to neighbors without an adult (her mom is fine with this because she knows most of the neighbors).
Audrey has the idea of playing the lottery to win the money her family needs, but would still need someone to buy the tickets and she would need the money for them in the first place (“and what if I played and played and never won?”); Audrey also has the idea to break into the suspicious house in case they are jewelry thieves, but rejects that idea because of different reasons.
Injuries & Pain.
Language, Lying, + Attitudes-
1 ‘duh’,
4 ‘stupid’.
Some eye rolling & sarcasm; Eavesdropping (on her mom’s doctor appointments because her mom won’t tell her everything); Audrey’s friend says something is “wicked!” (meaning smart/brilliant in the context) thrice; Audrey’s two best friends bicker with each other at times.
Audrey does lie somewhat often throughout the book:
1- Audrey tells about lying on accident (“I hadn’t mean to! It was one of those lies that slip out of your mouth before your brain has even thought of it.”).
2- Audrey also lied to her mom about a project being for school when it really wasn’t & the same lie to neighbors when asked (and expounds on it) due to her investigation of the suspicious neighbors.
3- Audrey says all the lying you have to do is another horrible thing about being a criminal.
4- She lies again (in order to protect her mom from “Them”) & also to her friends (about her mom not being sick, but tells the truth shortly after on that regard);
5- Audrey lies to her mom (in a way that, she notes, isn’t a “big red lie” but not a “small white one either”, so she guesses it was more like a “pinkish” lie).
6- Audrey lies about her investigation being a school project & gets her friends involved in the lies as well (later a friend lies to other classmates to protect Audrey’s secret).
Audrey has kept her stamp collection a secret from her family and friends for two years because “whoever heard of a cool stamp collector? No one, that’s who.”; Audrey has never let her friends walk home with her or come to her house because of the secret.
Audrey snaps at her little sister who then starts crying, so she bribes her with chocolate to stop crying; Audrey says little siblings can be annoying and didn’t want to take them along with her, but does so they don’t bother their mom.
Audrey sneaks through her mom’s bedroom, things, & phone to try to find information about her dad’s whereabouts.
Audrey is invited to a party by a girl at school and she really wants to go, but knows she can’t because of all that it would involve that it’s possible (getting to the girl’s house, her mom dropping her off, buying a good present, and leaving the house for more than twenty minutes).
Mentions of the suspicious neighbor possibly being a murderer or a “crazy cereal-chomping killer”; Mentions of robbers, robberies, stealing, stolen items, criminals, & crimes; Mentions of jails & arrests; Mentions of injuries & pain; Mentions of lies & lying; A few mentions of eavesdropping & rumors; A couple mentions of fires & accidents; A mention of a car crash.
Other-
A few mentions of Medusa (a story of her was read in Audrey’s school; A mention of her hair with snakes in it and turning people to stone); A few mentions of Santa; A couple mentions of zombies; A couple mentions of vampires; A few mentions of aliens; A mention of Halloween.
March 30, 2024
Beautifuly written and touching, but not without flaws. While highlighting the plight of young carers and the struggles they face every day, the narrative is diminished by holes in the plot that even a 9 year old would pick up on. Knowledge of safeguarding and child welfare is widespread (especially among those it's policies are intended to protect) so there's absolutely no way that the main character in the book would be in that situation for as long as she was. For starters, there's zero chance a nine year old would be allowed to take or collect two Early Years children to/from school. This alone took me out of the narrative from early on.
Maybe my job in education gives me a view that others may not have, but I know for certain that the pupils in my setting would struggle with the "artistic license" shown here.
There is a good story here, but this isn't as strong as Rauf's other novels.
Maybe my job in education gives me a view that others may not have, but I know for certain that the pupils in my setting would struggle with the "artistic license" shown here.
There is a good story here, but this isn't as strong as Rauf's other novels.
May 14, 2024
It wasn’t a patch on The Boy At The Back of The Class or The Star Outside My Window but it was still a lovely story. Mo is the best postman ever!! I love the community Audrey has around her. Onjali Rauf is outstanding for the way she writes innocently from the voice of a young person facing adult challenges; it’s really interesting to perceive these through the eyes of a child.
May 29, 2026
SIX STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 6, 2024
This is yet another brilliant Middle Grade book from Onjali Q. Rauf.
The author, who wrote 'The Boy At the Back of the Class' (& other books,) has written about a young carer in this novel. I loved the main character, Audrey. I would definitely recommend this to middle grade readers, and also to teachers as a class reading book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The author, who wrote 'The Boy At the Back of the Class' (& other books,) has written about a young carer in this novel. I loved the main character, Audrey. I would definitely recommend this to middle grade readers, and also to teachers as a class reading book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 22, 2025
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. Audrey’s character shone through and was my favourite thing about this book. The lack of safeguarding from all of the adults in this book was a big concern & I’d like to think that someone in Audrey’s position would get help a lot sooner than she did! Unfortunately, this did make a lot of the story quite unrealistic but enjoyable nonetheless.
March 21, 2026
IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is like my go to author. All of this authors books have never disappointed me. This is such a sweet story about a girl who needs to take care of her siblings and mother while trying to act like a normal kid and not a young carer. It is so good. Even though it’s not mystery or crime story it does keep you gripped because there are dodgy neighbours who could potentially be spying on them. The element of the unknown make me want to read more. The ending is so good and I love it when everything is explained at the end and when every character gets a mention, which this author has done. I just love it. Highly recommend to any age group!
This is like my go to author. All of this authors books have never disappointed me. This is such a sweet story about a girl who needs to take care of her siblings and mother while trying to act like a normal kid and not a young carer. It is so good. Even though it’s not mystery or crime story it does keep you gripped because there are dodgy neighbours who could potentially be spying on them. The element of the unknown make me want to read more. The ending is so good and I love it when everything is explained at the end and when every character gets a mention, which this author has done. I just love it. Highly recommend to any age group!
March 22, 2024
Over the last few years Onjali Q Rauf has written some of the most original and popular children's stories- each with its own unique story reflecting the world of young people from all heritages in the UK today.
The Letter with the Golden Stamp is another winner with an incredibly powerful and important message- the hidden world of child carers.
Audrey is a carer for her mother who is gradually failing in her mobility ; she also cares for her two young siblings Peck( Gregory) and Kat ( Katherine Hepburn ). Mum is a fan of old movies- hence Audrey( Hepburn ).
A new neighbour moves in across the street and Audrey is convinced they are spying on her and the family so that her mum could be taken away; so begins a mystery as Kat and her two best friends Kavi and Inara try to find out who is the mysterious and elusive resident.
But the story takes a deeper turn when Audrey's mum's health worsens and she decides to try a contact her father who left the family home some years before to ask for financial help and then try to visit him. ; a multitude of problems and events then take place
The story is told through a recount as Audrey has to tell the story of her daily life and all that is happening to the police in Scotland Yard! Audrey lives in Wales. She reveals the challenges in her daily life as she has to bunk off school and even shoplift to survive.
The beauty of the story is how much it gradually builds up and really gets under your skin as a reader- clearly forcing acknowledgment and reflection towards the forgotten heroes- child carers.
Audrey, her family, friends, neighbours , Mo the Postman and Mrs Davies from the local shop are all warm hearted generous characters.
No denial but by the end of the book you are truly moved by Audrey's plight, the discovery of who is actually living across the road and the solidarity and love of neighbours and friends.
In a world that can seem very bleak at times, Onjali Q Rauf has highlighted the plight of the million young carers in the UK but with love, compassion and hope.
Highly recommended for upper KS2 readers/classes- a book I will be recommending to family, friends and colleagues in education
The Letter with the Golden Stamp is another winner with an incredibly powerful and important message- the hidden world of child carers.
Audrey is a carer for her mother who is gradually failing in her mobility ; she also cares for her two young siblings Peck( Gregory) and Kat ( Katherine Hepburn ). Mum is a fan of old movies- hence Audrey( Hepburn ).
A new neighbour moves in across the street and Audrey is convinced they are spying on her and the family so that her mum could be taken away; so begins a mystery as Kat and her two best friends Kavi and Inara try to find out who is the mysterious and elusive resident.
But the story takes a deeper turn when Audrey's mum's health worsens and she decides to try a contact her father who left the family home some years before to ask for financial help and then try to visit him. ; a multitude of problems and events then take place
The story is told through a recount as Audrey has to tell the story of her daily life and all that is happening to the police in Scotland Yard! Audrey lives in Wales. She reveals the challenges in her daily life as she has to bunk off school and even shoplift to survive.
The beauty of the story is how much it gradually builds up and really gets under your skin as a reader- clearly forcing acknowledgment and reflection towards the forgotten heroes- child carers.
Audrey, her family, friends, neighbours , Mo the Postman and Mrs Davies from the local shop are all warm hearted generous characters.
No denial but by the end of the book you are truly moved by Audrey's plight, the discovery of who is actually living across the road and the solidarity and love of neighbours and friends.
In a world that can seem very bleak at times, Onjali Q Rauf has highlighted the plight of the million young carers in the UK but with love, compassion and hope.
Highly recommended for upper KS2 readers/classes- a book I will be recommending to family, friends and colleagues in education
September 4, 2024
Audrey is a very busy nine-year-old. Before school she gets up, makes breakfast for herself and her twin siblings, helps get them ready for school, along with herself and checks on her mam. If Mam is having a Nightmare day, Audrey will rush the twins to school and rush home again to sit with her mum, by her bedside, ready to help in any way she can.
Mam didn’t use to have Nightmare days. In fact, Mam ran her own successful business, and was busy and happy in their household of three children and Audrey’s father. But when Mam started to get tired, and sore, and slowly lost all normal movement due to a terrible illness, their life fell apart, and with no other family – Audrey trying to hold everything together.
There are bright things in her life, like their kind and friendly postman Mo who brings Audrey stamps from all over the world. Mo always asks if everything is ok, and Audrey always tells him they’re fine. She never lets anyone know what’s going on behind their front door. She keeps her secret from Mo, her best friends Inara and Kavi, and her teachers at school.
Things get worse for Audrey when someone moves in across the street. Is it Them, coming to spy on her and her Mam? They are the people that split up families.
Soon things get so bad behind her own front door that the house across the road is the last thing on her mind. She has to get help for Mam and soon quickly hatches an outrageous plan. Stamps help trigger the idea, and also save her from terrible danger. Will she ever be able to sort out this horrible mess?
After finishing The Boy at the Back of the Class, I looked for more books by this author and found three more novels. This is the first I could get my hands (and eyes) on and I loved this story too. Learning that there are millions of Young Carers around the world like main character Audrey is a sobering fact. Many don’t ask for help, like in Audrey’s case, and the author herself experienced this when she was only 15 years old when her own father had an accident.
Audrey tells the story in her own words, and readers hear it second hand as she explains everything she has been through to a policewoman and a social worker. She ends up on a courageous adventure which breaks many rules, but she can’t see any other way to help her Mam.
I loved the way Audrey misunderstood or misinterpreted words, giving a light touch to a serious subject.
Another wonderful read by this author who has received a MBE in 2022 for her work with frontline refugee aid, women’s rights and services to literature.
Mam didn’t use to have Nightmare days. In fact, Mam ran her own successful business, and was busy and happy in their household of three children and Audrey’s father. But when Mam started to get tired, and sore, and slowly lost all normal movement due to a terrible illness, their life fell apart, and with no other family – Audrey trying to hold everything together.
There are bright things in her life, like their kind and friendly postman Mo who brings Audrey stamps from all over the world. Mo always asks if everything is ok, and Audrey always tells him they’re fine. She never lets anyone know what’s going on behind their front door. She keeps her secret from Mo, her best friends Inara and Kavi, and her teachers at school.
Things get worse for Audrey when someone moves in across the street. Is it Them, coming to spy on her and her Mam? They are the people that split up families.
Soon things get so bad behind her own front door that the house across the road is the last thing on her mind. She has to get help for Mam and soon quickly hatches an outrageous plan. Stamps help trigger the idea, and also save her from terrible danger. Will she ever be able to sort out this horrible mess?
After finishing The Boy at the Back of the Class, I looked for more books by this author and found three more novels. This is the first I could get my hands (and eyes) on and I loved this story too. Learning that there are millions of Young Carers around the world like main character Audrey is a sobering fact. Many don’t ask for help, like in Audrey’s case, and the author herself experienced this when she was only 15 years old when her own father had an accident.
Audrey tells the story in her own words, and readers hear it second hand as she explains everything she has been through to a policewoman and a social worker. She ends up on a courageous adventure which breaks many rules, but she can’t see any other way to help her Mam.
I loved the way Audrey misunderstood or misinterpreted words, giving a light touch to a serious subject.
Another wonderful read by this author who has received a MBE in 2022 for her work with frontline refugee aid, women’s rights and services to literature.
April 1, 2024
Totally endearing, sob-inducing Young Carer story from a talented writer of child's-eye-view narrations.
I've been enamoured with Rauf's writing since her debut, saw the name here and clicked 'read'. And fell straight into another young person's story and life, with a few tears along the way.
Knowing the author has a 'young carer' background herself (written sensitively and thoughtfully about following the story) made this seem all the more real, though the premis itself is a little over-the-top to be real.
In a small town in Wales, Audrey regularly misses school to care for her mum, with degenerative osteoarthritis. Her dad has left her with two 4-year-old siblings and their good-days-bad-days mum. We only know this because Audrey is in Scotland Yard telling police officers about it, and about how she's ended up in their custody... and her story will become clearer as she tells it. In her own clear-eyed, innocent and yet wise beyond her years way.
Worried about social services spying on her family and splitting them up, Audrey is determined to find out if new neighbours and their suspicious lights/behaviour are watching her. But she also knows her family needs money, and her mum needs help... but how can a 9-year-old, with a stamp-collecting postman friend, two willing best friends and a determination to sort out her own problems possibly manage to juggle everything and give her family what they need?
This really did hit a nerve, Audrey is so wonderfully innocent - using a kitchen roll tube as a telescope, with her 'hypnosis' about the new neighbours being spies - yet she's also so magnificently managing so much without even acknowledging the effort. The police characters and adults around her show the reader this with their reactions to her, despite her lack of understanding of their emotions.
The story moves quickly to quite a daring segment when we find out exactly how our 9-year-old heroine managed to get from Wales to London... and we just hope all can be resolved for her.
Wonderful, wonderful writing and story. And thank you to Rauf for bringing Audrey and those like her to our attention.
For ages 7 and above. With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
I've been enamoured with Rauf's writing since her debut, saw the name here and clicked 'read'. And fell straight into another young person's story and life, with a few tears along the way.
Knowing the author has a 'young carer' background herself (written sensitively and thoughtfully about following the story) made this seem all the more real, though the premis itself is a little over-the-top to be real.
In a small town in Wales, Audrey regularly misses school to care for her mum, with degenerative osteoarthritis. Her dad has left her with two 4-year-old siblings and their good-days-bad-days mum. We only know this because Audrey is in Scotland Yard telling police officers about it, and about how she's ended up in their custody... and her story will become clearer as she tells it. In her own clear-eyed, innocent and yet wise beyond her years way.
Worried about social services spying on her family and splitting them up, Audrey is determined to find out if new neighbours and their suspicious lights/behaviour are watching her. But she also knows her family needs money, and her mum needs help... but how can a 9-year-old, with a stamp-collecting postman friend, two willing best friends and a determination to sort out her own problems possibly manage to juggle everything and give her family what they need?
This really did hit a nerve, Audrey is so wonderfully innocent - using a kitchen roll tube as a telescope, with her 'hypnosis' about the new neighbours being spies - yet she's also so magnificently managing so much without even acknowledging the effort. The police characters and adults around her show the reader this with their reactions to her, despite her lack of understanding of their emotions.
The story moves quickly to quite a daring segment when we find out exactly how our 9-year-old heroine managed to get from Wales to London... and we just hope all can be resolved for her.
Wonderful, wonderful writing and story. And thank you to Rauf for bringing Audrey and those like her to our attention.
For ages 7 and above. With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
June 24, 2024
The Letter With The Golden Stamp by Onjali Q Rauf
It's a story of 9 years old Audrey. Audrey's mother has advanced Osteoarthritis that's why she couldn't leave home, someday she can't even get out of her room and that's why Audrey's father left them. Peck and Kate her twin brother and sister, Audrey took all the responsibility of her family on her small shoulder. Audrey very efficiently took care of the twins and her mother's, she did all the house chores, she managed the financial struggle while buying groceries for home and she shows expertise in keeping everything as secret from her school friends and everyone she knows.
But you know time changes and Audrey feels despite her impeccable struggle everything will fall down soon. Audrey's mother's condition is getting worse day by day, Audrey needs more money to get adequate fecility for her mother, she needs to install a new automated wheelchair and other accessibility for her mother and for this she needs more money, which only her father can give. Audrey thinks she must write letter to his address but it returns with an undeliverable cross mark. After that Audrey comes up with a shockingly brilliant idea, but what could a 9 year old possibly make?
It's a poignant book that brings back positivity and hope in every heart. A YA story that infuses new energy to fight back for life...
The book gives us a message, this world is huge, a lot of people are living on the other side of the roads, all you have to do is ask for help and then you will definitely see the light of possibilities.
I love Audrey for her never bending attitude and the fun she gave me. Audrey is smart, witty and loves to watch mysteries so she is definitely interesting and intelligent and willing to do anything for her Mam. All she needs is her Tad (Dad), she needs to meet him and tell him about all this misfortunes. So Audrey finds out a way which is jaw-dropping, an extravaganza of adventure. I bet you can't guess what it is! To know what she did and how she gets all the help she needed, you have to read this book
It's a story of 9 years old Audrey. Audrey's mother has advanced Osteoarthritis that's why she couldn't leave home, someday she can't even get out of her room and that's why Audrey's father left them. Peck and Kate her twin brother and sister, Audrey took all the responsibility of her family on her small shoulder. Audrey very efficiently took care of the twins and her mother's, she did all the house chores, she managed the financial struggle while buying groceries for home and she shows expertise in keeping everything as secret from her school friends and everyone she knows.
But you know time changes and Audrey feels despite her impeccable struggle everything will fall down soon. Audrey's mother's condition is getting worse day by day, Audrey needs more money to get adequate fecility for her mother, she needs to install a new automated wheelchair and other accessibility for her mother and for this she needs more money, which only her father can give. Audrey thinks she must write letter to his address but it returns with an undeliverable cross mark. After that Audrey comes up with a shockingly brilliant idea, but what could a 9 year old possibly make?
It's a poignant book that brings back positivity and hope in every heart. A YA story that infuses new energy to fight back for life...
The book gives us a message, this world is huge, a lot of people are living on the other side of the roads, all you have to do is ask for help and then you will definitely see the light of possibilities.
I love Audrey for her never bending attitude and the fun she gave me. Audrey is smart, witty and loves to watch mysteries so she is definitely interesting and intelligent and willing to do anything for her Mam. All she needs is her Tad (Dad), she needs to meet him and tell him about all this misfortunes. So Audrey finds out a way which is jaw-dropping, an extravaganza of adventure. I bet you can't guess what it is! To know what she did and how she gets all the help she needed, you have to read this book
July 7, 2024
Firstly, what is a young carer?
A young carer is someone aged 5-18 who helps look after a person in need of daily assistance. These responsibilities can cause them to miss school and mature quickly, as they carry heavy responsibilities on their small shoulders.
This book tells the story of Audrey, a 9-year-old young carer, who faces significant challenges as she looks after her sick mother, who has osteoarthritis, and her two younger siblings. Told from Audrey’s point of view, her innocence and resilience in caring for her family will awe you.
Audrey realises she needs more money to care for her family and decides to find her lost father. Her letter to him is heart-wrenching as she lists all the things her mother needs, such as a wheelchair, an accessible bathroom, and handrails to help her mother walk. Amid her busy routine caring for others, Audrey becomes concerned with the house across the street, which she claims is full of spies. Are they really spies? Will Audrey get the help she needs?
I salute the author for addressing the important issue of young carers through this beautiful story. This book helps both children and adults see life from different perspectives, fostering not only gratitude but, most importantly, empathy.
Congratulations to the author for creating a book that sends a strong message of love and support for young carers. The author’s portrayal of Audrey’s life shines a light on the often overlooked struggles these children face. It serves as a powerful reminder of their strength and the need for society to recognise and support them.
Thank you, definitelybookskids , for the review copy. Discussing the issues raised in this book with Hassan has been enlightening and memorable moment for me, and hopefully to him as well. As an educator and a part of the community, this story reminds me to be more aware of young carers and to approach them with kindness and understanding. 🩷
A young carer is someone aged 5-18 who helps look after a person in need of daily assistance. These responsibilities can cause them to miss school and mature quickly, as they carry heavy responsibilities on their small shoulders.
This book tells the story of Audrey, a 9-year-old young carer, who faces significant challenges as she looks after her sick mother, who has osteoarthritis, and her two younger siblings. Told from Audrey’s point of view, her innocence and resilience in caring for her family will awe you.
Audrey realises she needs more money to care for her family and decides to find her lost father. Her letter to him is heart-wrenching as she lists all the things her mother needs, such as a wheelchair, an accessible bathroom, and handrails to help her mother walk. Amid her busy routine caring for others, Audrey becomes concerned with the house across the street, which she claims is full of spies. Are they really spies? Will Audrey get the help she needs?
I salute the author for addressing the important issue of young carers through this beautiful story. This book helps both children and adults see life from different perspectives, fostering not only gratitude but, most importantly, empathy.
Congratulations to the author for creating a book that sends a strong message of love and support for young carers. The author’s portrayal of Audrey’s life shines a light on the often overlooked struggles these children face. It serves as a powerful reminder of their strength and the need for society to recognise and support them.
Thank you, definitelybookskids , for the review copy. Discussing the issues raised in this book with Hassan has been enlightening and memorable moment for me, and hopefully to him as well. As an educator and a part of the community, this story reminds me to be more aware of young carers and to approach them with kindness and understanding. 🩷
May 22, 2024
The Letter With The Golden Stamp by Onjali Q Rauf is a powerful contemporary children’s novel. It is perfect for ages ten years and over. Whatever your age, this book will leave you full of admiration for the lead character nine year old Audrey.
The book is about a single parent family in Swansea. The mother is often bed-ridden with osteoarthritis, leaving Audrey to run the house, looking after her four year old twin siblings and mother who has more bad days than good. “Some days we used to have what Mam calls a Sunshine Day. That’s when her bones feel like there’s a strong bit of sun heating them all up, and she’s not in too much pain, and I can go to school without worrying.” Audrey continually worries that if the authorities know, then she and her siblings will be taken away. Audrey feels isolated as she cannot confide in anyone.
Just occasionally Audrey does ‘normal’ things. “I felt normal. Like I was doing something everyone else got to do every day but I never usually did.” Audrey worries, so her Mam doesn’t have to. “I have to make sure Mam doesn’t worry about things too much.”
Audrey searches for her Tad, believing that he could fix things for her. This search leads her to take drastic action.
The street is very much community-minded, led by postman Mo. He is an unsung hero, working behind the scenes.
The book is written in the first person from the point of view of Audrey. We get to know her intimately. She is very likable. She does what she does in order to support her family. She has a conscience and a kind heart.
I absolutely adored The Letter With The Golden Stamp. I think it should be part of the English curriculum. It would enable children to see that others have very different lives. It will make children think as they empathise with Audrey.
This is a very engaging and heartfelt read.
The book is about a single parent family in Swansea. The mother is often bed-ridden with osteoarthritis, leaving Audrey to run the house, looking after her four year old twin siblings and mother who has more bad days than good. “Some days we used to have what Mam calls a Sunshine Day. That’s when her bones feel like there’s a strong bit of sun heating them all up, and she’s not in too much pain, and I can go to school without worrying.” Audrey continually worries that if the authorities know, then she and her siblings will be taken away. Audrey feels isolated as she cannot confide in anyone.
Just occasionally Audrey does ‘normal’ things. “I felt normal. Like I was doing something everyone else got to do every day but I never usually did.” Audrey worries, so her Mam doesn’t have to. “I have to make sure Mam doesn’t worry about things too much.”
Audrey searches for her Tad, believing that he could fix things for her. This search leads her to take drastic action.
The street is very much community-minded, led by postman Mo. He is an unsung hero, working behind the scenes.
The book is written in the first person from the point of view of Audrey. We get to know her intimately. She is very likable. She does what she does in order to support her family. She has a conscience and a kind heart.
I absolutely adored The Letter With The Golden Stamp. I think it should be part of the English curriculum. It would enable children to see that others have very different lives. It will make children think as they empathise with Audrey.
This is a very engaging and heartfelt read.
October 15, 2025
This did bring tears to my eyes.
A poignant telling of a young carer and how she hides her secret. This is the reality for so many young people.
I was confused by some of the writing, but I didn't realise that Tad was the Welsh for Dad. This is a lovely way to weave the Welsh language into the story as it set in Wales.
There are a few safeguarding issues that I see others have mentioned - however Onjali is correct as these things can/do get missed. I think this story is very much an example of what could be happening - young carers who don't get the support they need do indeed find ways of hiding their situation so that no one knows. In this story there is a positive outcome and the reality is that this isn't always the case. It is a reminder to all about the importance of communication and how important a holistic approach is. Also this is a child's book so there is some artistic license to stretch reality. The "incident" is a perfect example of something that cannot in reality happen - however this allows the story to have that happy ending that is truly needed.
If you are not an adult reading this, then know it is a book that will build your empathy for those young carers who spend so much time looking after family as they have no one else. Also know that there are supports if you are in this situation or know someone who is. You are not alone.
A poignant telling of a young carer and how she hides her secret. This is the reality for so many young people.
I was confused by some of the writing, but I didn't realise that Tad was the Welsh for Dad. This is a lovely way to weave the Welsh language into the story as it set in Wales.
There are a few safeguarding issues that I see others have mentioned - however Onjali is correct as these things can/do get missed. I think this story is very much an example of what could be happening - young carers who don't get the support they need do indeed find ways of hiding their situation so that no one knows. In this story there is a positive outcome and the reality is that this isn't always the case. It is a reminder to all about the importance of communication and how important a holistic approach is. Also this is a child's book so there is some artistic license to stretch reality. The "incident" is a perfect example of something that cannot in reality happen - however this allows the story to have that happy ending that is truly needed.
If you are not an adult reading this, then know it is a book that will build your empathy for those young carers who spend so much time looking after family as they have no one else. Also know that there are supports if you are in this situation or know someone who is. You are not alone.
March 11, 2025
The Letter with the Golden Stamp by Onjali Q. Raúf is such a heartwarming story! As a lover of letters, I was drawn to the idea of a story about a special letter right away. With an enterprising protagonist at the centre, the book is completely unpredictable and utterly charming.
The book opens with Audrey sitting in a police station, sure that she has been arrested even though the adults around assure her that she has not. They just want to know her story. And as she tells her story, the reader keeps wondering, 'What did she actually do? How outlandish could her ideas get?' And the reveal doesn’t disappoint!
Stories with strong familial relationships and friendships always warm my heart. The desire to protect your family’s secrets is so strong! Reading about it makes my heart ache, even as it fills with the sweetness of childhood love.
Each character is loveable, from Audrey herself to her friends and well-wishers. My favourite has got to be the postman Mo, whom you want to hug tight!
In some ways, I probably enjoyed The Letter with the Golden Stamp more than the author’s more famous The Boy at the Back of the Class. Character, emotion, humour and story–this one has it all!
The book opens with Audrey sitting in a police station, sure that she has been arrested even though the adults around assure her that she has not. They just want to know her story. And as she tells her story, the reader keeps wondering, 'What did she actually do? How outlandish could her ideas get?' And the reveal doesn’t disappoint!
Stories with strong familial relationships and friendships always warm my heart. The desire to protect your family’s secrets is so strong! Reading about it makes my heart ache, even as it fills with the sweetness of childhood love.
Each character is loveable, from Audrey herself to her friends and well-wishers. My favourite has got to be the postman Mo, whom you want to hug tight!
In some ways, I probably enjoyed The Letter with the Golden Stamp more than the author’s more famous The Boy at the Back of the Class. Character, emotion, humour and story–this one has it all!
February 17, 2026
Such a beautiful story!!!!!
Audrey has been through so much,
I feel so sorry for her.
She sounds like an amazing young carer!
Also wow, she risked a lot just to help her mum.
Audrey is such a nice character with such a loving heart!
She does so much for her mum and siblings.
Also she is only 9!
Just how?
This book was amazing
and I am so glad my mum bought it for me.
Here is a bit about the book...
9 year old Audrey has a big secret,
her Mum is very ill and her father left her!
So, Audrey has to look after her siblings and do all the housework.
When someone moves into the house over the road on her street,
she gets worried that it is " THEM".
Them are the people that take children away from there parents
if they aren't looked after right and Audrey is scared that they think mum is a bad parent.
After hearing the doctor say
that mum needs a lot of new things that are out of her budget,
Audrey starts trying to get her dads help.
But, as he doesn't reply to her letters,
Audrey must find another way to reach him.
Though as he lives in England and she lives in Wales it was going to be hard.
Then Audrey decides to post her self to London,
but when things go wrong what can Audrey do?
So I would recommend this book!
Audrey has been through so much,
I feel so sorry for her.
She sounds like an amazing young carer!
Also wow, she risked a lot just to help her mum.
Audrey is such a nice character with such a loving heart!
She does so much for her mum and siblings.
Also she is only 9!
Just how?
This book was amazing
and I am so glad my mum bought it for me.
Here is a bit about the book...
9 year old Audrey has a big secret,
her Mum is very ill and her father left her!
So, Audrey has to look after her siblings and do all the housework.
When someone moves into the house over the road on her street,
she gets worried that it is " THEM".
Them are the people that take children away from there parents
if they aren't looked after right and Audrey is scared that they think mum is a bad parent.
After hearing the doctor say
that mum needs a lot of new things that are out of her budget,
Audrey starts trying to get her dads help.
But, as he doesn't reply to her letters,
Audrey must find another way to reach him.
Though as he lives in England and she lives in Wales it was going to be hard.
Then Audrey decides to post her self to London,
but when things go wrong what can Audrey do?
So I would recommend this book!
April 20, 2024
The Letter with the Golden Stamp
Another superb read from Onjali Q Rauf, The Letter with the Golden Stamp is the story of Audrey, a young carer for her mother who desperately just wants life to be easier for her family, while keeping the secret of what is going on.
It’s a beautifully touching story of friendship, kindness and fear. Her friendships are not just with her school best friends Kavi and Inara, but also with the adults in her life - Mo the postman, Mrs Davies at the shop, Mrs Lumley on her street and her teachers. The story showcases the secret fear Audrey has of ‘them’ - the people she worries will take her away from her mum, who she is convinced is watching her family from the house across the road.
The book is a wonderful adventure, I would highly recommend for anyone teaching or in contact with young carers, however I would think carefully about children reading if they are in a caring position as to whether it is a suitable read for each individual.
TW - parental separation, young caring, parental illness.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Another superb read from Onjali Q Rauf, The Letter with the Golden Stamp is the story of Audrey, a young carer for her mother who desperately just wants life to be easier for her family, while keeping the secret of what is going on.
It’s a beautifully touching story of friendship, kindness and fear. Her friendships are not just with her school best friends Kavi and Inara, but also with the adults in her life - Mo the postman, Mrs Davies at the shop, Mrs Lumley on her street and her teachers. The story showcases the secret fear Audrey has of ‘them’ - the people she worries will take her away from her mum, who she is convinced is watching her family from the house across the road.
The book is a wonderful adventure, I would highly recommend for anyone teaching or in contact with young carers, however I would think carefully about children reading if they are in a caring position as to whether it is a suitable read for each individual.
TW - parental separation, young caring, parental illness.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
March 21, 2024
The Letter With the Golden Stamp by Onjali Rauf centres around Audrey, a primary school girl who is a carer for her mum and twin brother, and sister. Audrey has a lot of responsibility for her family, making sure her mum takes her medication, shopping, and taking her brother and sister to school every day.
Whilst at school Audrey finds respite with her two young friends and when a new neighbour moves opposite the house, Audrey's life begins to change. Audrey is convinced that the neighbour is a spy and she sets out to find out exactly who they are - roping in the neighbours and particularly Mo the postman.
Onjali sensitively covers a subject which seldom is discussed - the responsibility of young carers - as she weaves her tale, it becomes apparent just how much work and pressure young carers have to deal with.
A detailed, well-written story which is sure to hook the reader in from the first page.
Whilst at school Audrey finds respite with her two young friends and when a new neighbour moves opposite the house, Audrey's life begins to change. Audrey is convinced that the neighbour is a spy and she sets out to find out exactly who they are - roping in the neighbours and particularly Mo the postman.
Onjali sensitively covers a subject which seldom is discussed - the responsibility of young carers - as she weaves her tale, it becomes apparent just how much work and pressure young carers have to deal with.
A detailed, well-written story which is sure to hook the reader in from the first page.
April 1, 2024
Imagine being a young child with a very ill parent. Imagine having 2 young siblings to look after. Imagine taking on the running of the house by yourself. This is life for Audrey. She does it uncomplainingly and, it seems, happily. She just wants to have a life like all the other children in her class, but she doesn't. She knows the struggles her mum faces with her health so doesn't trouble her with worries about money. When Audrey hears the Dr talking to her mum, she realises things are worse than she thought. So she gets her friends to help her on an adventure that could help her mum, or so she thinks. The ending is lovely. It didn't end like I thought it would, it was better! I'm not ashamed to say that I cried!
August 22, 2024
Really beautiful, heartwarming read that highlighted the very unsettling and distressing issues of young carers, with this young carer having only been 9, as well as the reality of disadvantaged families, including those with single parents who are too ill to work, and the reality of the political and economic climate.
It was pretty impressive as well the way literally most of the book was narrated in the police station interview, yet still managed to remain intriguing.
My only problem was after Audrey arrived as human mail in the centre and they all started chasing her and she kept managing to avoid them and caused them to be injuries, that whole scene just seemed a bit too cartoonish to me and just a bit out of place.
Otherwise very nice read.
It was pretty impressive as well the way literally most of the book was narrated in the police station interview, yet still managed to remain intriguing.
My only problem was after Audrey arrived as human mail in the centre and they all started chasing her and she kept managing to avoid them and caused them to be injuries, that whole scene just seemed a bit too cartoonish to me and just a bit out of place.
Otherwise very nice read.
December 9, 2025
This book has all the charm, heart, humour and innocence of Onjali's middle grade novels and this time highlights the experience of young carers. The major downside to this (and previous books) is all the lying and sneaking out for Do Gooder schemes. While the main character in this seems to get consequences, her friend still lies for her after everything and she was pleased, which irked me. I would love these stories even more without that dishonesty.
Recommend for 8+ or read alouds for younger.
CONTENT:
Language: None
Romance: None
Holidays: Mentions of Christmas and presents. A birthday party.
Other: Lying to hide she cares for her mum. Lying and sneaking out to help her mum (consequences explained to her after).
Recommend for 8+ or read alouds for younger.
CONTENT:
Language: None
Romance: None
Holidays: Mentions of Christmas and presents. A birthday party.
Other: Lying to hide she cares for her mum. Lying and sneaking out to help her mum (consequences explained to her after).
April 21, 2024
Having read several of Onjali Q. Rauf’s other titles and loved them I was very excited to get my hands on her latest work and she did not disappoint! I am always impressed with how she manages to tell a story with serious themes which are easily digested by middle grade readers.
This is a wonderfully told story through the eyes of a child which is funny in places and will break your heart in others. It’s a story about family, friendship and the harsh realities of a child carer. There are thousands of children just like Audrey across the U.k and beyond and this story high lights the issues that arise and the importance of help from the community, family and friends that we may have around us.
I really can’t recommend this enough, If you have read and loved Boy at the Back of the Class then you will love this too and if you haven’t then what are you waiting for! Onjali Q Rauf is one of the best children’s writers out there today!
This is a wonderfully told story through the eyes of a child which is funny in places and will break your heart in others. It’s a story about family, friendship and the harsh realities of a child carer. There are thousands of children just like Audrey across the U.k and beyond and this story high lights the issues that arise and the importance of help from the community, family and friends that we may have around us.
I really can’t recommend this enough, If you have read and loved Boy at the Back of the Class then you will love this too and if you haven’t then what are you waiting for! Onjali Q Rauf is one of the best children’s writers out there today!
May 18, 2024
I have read many books by this author to my kids and we have always enjoyed them. This book is no different. It is about a girl, who has to be a carer for her mum, whose health is deteriorating, and her two siblings. Audrey, the main character, starts to suspect that her neighbour is a spy. My girl thought it was really clever how it was written, from Audreys point of view, telling a pair of policemen in a police station, about everything that has happened to her. Its a heart warming book, and you really feel for her and the turmoil she has been through and her courage. Fantastic plot twists and wonderful ending.
March 2, 2026
I loved this book because the Little girl is
À Young carer for her mam because her mam cant walk properly and they dont have much money so , One day done body moves in 2 doors down from them but no body ever cômes out of the house. One day the Little girl needs to get in touch with her dad, she sends a letter to him but it gets sent back,so Inara attempts to post her self with some help from her younger siblings to London how ever while she was in Wales still she fell out of the box and then she gets Chased by the police and
Then she gets interviewed by the police and then she gets to go home.
À Young carer for her mam because her mam cant walk properly and they dont have much money so , One day done body moves in 2 doors down from them but no body ever cômes out of the house. One day the Little girl needs to get in touch with her dad, she sends a letter to him but it gets sent back,so Inara attempts to post her self with some help from her younger siblings to London how ever while she was in Wales still she fell out of the box and then she gets Chased by the police and
Then she gets interviewed by the police and then she gets to go home.
June 30, 2024
I do love reading Onjali Q Rauf books from The Boy At The Back Of The Class I started collecting all of her books to read on blue days none of her books has disappointed me so far.
The Letter With The Golden Stamp even with the extra wait really made my day. Everything written through nine years old is so pure and innocent I can't help laughing at some of her Welsh Inquisition questions. Onjali writes brilliant through so many different perspectives it is hard not to be amazed by her imaginative story telling.
The Letter With The Golden Stamp even with the extra wait really made my day. Everything written through nine years old is so pure and innocent I can't help laughing at some of her Welsh Inquisition questions. Onjali writes brilliant through so many different perspectives it is hard not to be amazed by her imaginative story telling.
April 12, 2024
I don’t care what anyone says, Onjali does not disappoint. First can I just say if I wore my teacher head then yes I can see some holes in the plot, but couldn’t we say that for most books. Onjali has yet again took a sensitive topic and brought it to the forefront. Using a story full of adventure she has managed to show the hard side of being a young carer. As always I shed a tear and just didn’t want it to end!
August 15, 2024
Although written for middle grade readers, I found myself as drawn into Audrey’s story as the adults who are listening to it throughout the book. I laughed and cried while reading this beautiful story about the realities of life… challenging and beautiful. While it wouldn’t be the kind of story everyone would be looking for, it is one that many children need and that any adults working with children should also read.
April 8, 2025
I really loved this book. It had really strong and sometimes sad things about it. But overall taught a really good lesson and helped understand something that is all around us but never fully acknowledged. Has a lot of things about Young Carers and people that work in the post/mail industry that often go unnoticed and unappreciated. I think this book would be suitable for ages 9-12 years olds. I also love the other books by the author!
May 27, 2025
I have read all of Onjali Q Rauf's books and have loved them all. This book was no exception. What I love the most about her books is the message behind them, and this book was about young carers and how they care for their family. I never realised how much work young carers actually do and what they may have to miss out on in order to care for their family, but this book gave me an insight on just how much they do and I really enjoyed reading it.
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