My Name Is Leon Now

Carol’s breakdown highlights the lack of support for struggling parents in the 1980s.

Leon manages the trauma of separation by seeking connection in new, unexpected places like the allotments. 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. Carol’s breakdown highlights the lack of support for

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 Ultimately, de Waal uses Leon’s story to critique

Explores how race and age impact a child's "desirability" in the adoption market.