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Leon's mixed-race heritage and the social unrest of the era shape his understanding of where he fits in the world.
In the novel My Name Is Leon by Kit de Waal, the protagonist’s journey through the foster care system of 1980s Britain serves as a lens to explore deep-seated social issues. Set against the backdrop of the Birmingham riots, the story follows nine-year-old Leon as he is separated from his mother and his white, baby brother, Jake. While Jake is quickly adopted, Leon, being mixed-race and older, remains in the care of foster guardians, highlighting the systemic inequities and racial biases inherent in the adoption process. My Name Is Leon
💡 If you are writing this for a GCSE English Literature exam, focus your analysis on writer's methods , such as how de Waal uses Leon’s limited perspective to create empathy for his situation. Leon's mixed-race heritage and the social unrest of
Explores how race and age impact a child's "desirability" in the adoption market. While Jake is quickly adopted, Leon, being mixed-race
Leon manages the trauma of separation by seeking connection in new, unexpected places like the allotments.