The Boy At the Back of the Class

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The Boy At the Back of the Class

By: Onjali Q. Raúf, Pippa Curnick

Narrated by: Imogen Wilde

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About this listen

Told with heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class is a child's perspective on the refugee crisis, highlighting the importance of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn't always make sense.

There used to be an empty chair at the back of my class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it.

He's nine years old (just like me), but he's very strange. He never talks and never smiles and doesn't like sweets - not even lemon sherbets, which are my favourite!

But then I learned the truth: Ahmet really isn't very strange at all. He's a refugee who's run away from a War. A real one. With bombs and fires and bullies that hurt people. And the more I find out about him, the more I want to help.

That's where my best friends Josie, Michael and Tom come in. Because you see, together we've come up with a plan. . .

(P) 2018 Hachette Children's Group©2018 Onjali Q. Raúf

Fiction

Growing Up

Growing Up & Facts of Life

Islamic Heritage

Literature & Fiction

Friendship

Heartfelt

Refugee

Funny

Feel-Good

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Critic reviews

Raul's book is at once tearjerking and chuckle-inducing and will go a long way to restore faith in human nature.

Onjali Raúf's debut, The Boy at the Back of the Class (Orion), illustrated by Pippa Curnick, offers a child's eye view and an ambitious, adventure-filled plot. When a new boy is introduced at school, no one is exactly sure where he has come from; what is a "refugee kid", anyway, and how can Ahmet be helped to feel that he belongs? Though the narrator's voice is overly young at times, this is a lovely, warm-hearted first novel, a celebration of courage and friendship leavened with mischief.

Most relevant

This beautifully told story allows us to discuss the refugee crisis with young child in a way that makes it accessible. Told through the eyes of a nine year old, this story is a must read for any class, Year 4/5 up. Brought a tear to this teacher's eye and made me very grateful for how lucky I am to live in the UK.