My Name Is Leon -

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

Ultimately, de Waal uses Leon’s story to critique the failures of the social welfare system while celebrating the resilience of the human spirit. The novel emphasizes the importance of community and unconventional family structures in providing the stability that formal institutions often fail to deliver. By the end, Leon's quest to reunite his family evolves into a personal reclamation of identity, proving that his name—and his story—hold significant weight in a world that often tries to overlook him. Key Themes & Elements 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.