"Touching and clear-sighted child’s-eye view of the problems facing refugees"
Chosen by Cressida Cowell, Guest Editor May 2020 | Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2020 | Shortlisted for The Branford Boase Award 2019 | Winner the Blue Peter Book Awards 2019, Best Story category
The arrival of a new boy in class sparks a funny, moving and quietly powerful story for young readers. Our narrator – we only discover her name in the last chapter – is immediately intrigued by her new classmate, who doesn’t speak, or smile, and disappears at break times. She’s determined to become his friend and as she gets to know him learns that Ahmet is a refugee from Syria. Finding out that his family are lost somewhere in Europe she decides to help – something that exposes both the prejudice and generosity of those around her. The plotline is very lively – it includes some excellent comic scenes at Buckingham Palace – and Raúf manages to keep the story positive and uplifting while still illustrating the cruelty and bigotry that refugees face.
Our Guest Editor, Cressida Cowell said, "This is a lovely, warm book that is all about kindness, and putting yourself into someone else’s shoes."
Also chosen as a recommended read by our Guest Editor, Konnie Huq, April 2021; A really lovely, moving book about a refugee boy that comes to the uk. Fab for understanding the plights and lives of others.
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It was a very long book with big adventures and fun but sad. I give it 4/5 because its very long but fun to read.
This book is fun but sad at the same time beacuse it has adventures and stories but Ahmet's story was very sad. he lost his family in the war in Syria. Tom and the others wanted to help him so they went to the queen for help. It was a very big adventure but sad.... Read Full Review
A thrilling, amusing story which captivates you, making you read until the end. This is a great book for all ages. It deserves 5 golden stars!
An amusing funny story written by Onjali Q. Raúf. The book tells the story of Ahmet (a refugee from Syria) who joins a new school in the UK after escaping from the war. His presence raised interest amongst a group of friends at the school. They later learnt about his unfortunate past, his parents were lost, and his little sister drowned at sea.
The narrator and her friends created a Top secret plan in order to stop the UK gates from closing to future refugees. They also needed to protect and support Ahmet from Brendan the Bully. Will they succeed in their plan?
Onjali Q. Raúf tells the story from a child’s perspective. It’s filled with emotion, action and sadness.
I found this book really funny and interesting, in one word captivating.... Read Full Review
The boy at the back of the Class is a interesting story written by Onigali Q. Rauf .The book tells the story of Ahmet,a refugee boy from Syria who moved to London and made friends there.His friends then made it there mission to become friends with him and figure out more about him.
The boy at the back of the Class is a interesting story written by Onigali Q. Rauf. The book tells the story of Ahmet, a refugee boy from Syria who moved to London and made friends there.... Read Full Review
