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The Boy At the Back of the Class

Book
The Boy At the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf, and Pippa Curnick

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By Onjali Q. Raúf, and and, Pippa Curnick

avg rating

944 reviews

WINNER OF THE BLUE PETER BOOK AWARD (UK) 2019
WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN’S BOOK PRIZE (UK) 2019
WINNER OF THE SAKURA MEDAL (JAPAN) 2020
WINNER OF THE CHILDREN’S COWBELL AWARD (SWITZERLAND) 2021
WINNER OF THE PRIX JANUSZ KORCZAK PRIZE (FRANCE) 2022

‘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 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…’

On a perfectly ordinary school day, something extraordinary happens: a boy with pale skin, lion eyes and a tattered red rucksack walks in. Unable to speak English and seated at the back of the class, Ahmet ‘the refugee kid’ becomes the perfect target for bullies and rumours alike.

But Ahmet has also captured the attention and empathy of a fellow classmate, who will do anything to help him find his family. Even if that involves a plan – or five, and the Queen herself!

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.

With beautiful illustrations by Pippa Curnick

BEAUTIFUL GOLD FOIL ANNIVERSARY EDITION NOW AVAILABLEFIND IT UNDERALL FORMATS AND EDITIONS

Reviews

24 Aug 2025

A beautifully written, engaging tale about friendship, compassion and empathy. The perfect introduction for older children to learn about refugees, and the reality of their lives, beyond the headlines. This book could be read to younger readers who may find the text challenging. When Ahmet joined the class he is met with curiosity, kindness and mistrust from some. Himself and his friends hatch a daring plan, involving the Queen to help Ahmet reconnect with lost family members. The story inspires discussion of the issues surrounding refugees and challenges the reader to explore their own views and that of the people...

A beautifully written, engaging tale about friendship, compassion and empathy. The perfect introduction for older children to learn about refugees, and the reality of their lives, beyond the headlines.
This book could be read to younger readers who may find the text challenging.

When Ahmet joined the class he is met with curiosity, kindness and mistrust from some. Himself and his friends hatch a daring plan, involving the Queen to help Ahmet reconnect with lost family members.

The story inspires discussion of the issues surrounding refugees and challenges the reader to explore their own views and that of the people around them.

Read more...
23 Aug 2025

Good

16 Aug 2025

It was quite interesting. I felt bad for the boy

15 Aug 2025

I liked it 'cause it involved educational stuff and they're 65,000.000 refugees so far:)

10 Aug 2025

I liked reading about how they were saving the boy in the story

09 Aug 2025

Alexa was really brave about helping ameet

09 Aug 2025

it was very mixed feelings sad happy lonlyness

04 Aug 2025

I loved this book because it is based on true events.

03 Aug 2025

i liked the part were he tawks about him being a refuge becase not verr many people in books open about there past.

01 Aug 2025

My favourite character: Ahmet! So who is Ahmet? Ahmet is immigrant refugee and from Syria. (This book about trying finding Ahmet's family... this plan will work?) I know how to be a refugee too so I really liked it book! I recommend this book for children wants to know about friends!

01 Aug 2025

I though it was a really good book to read and can inspire young children that they can change the world in many different ways that they like so it doesn’t matter if you’re a refugee or just a normal person you can change the world the way you want to.

29 Jul 2025

More for year 6 children as needs some understanding of outside world.

29 Jul 2025

I gave it a total of 4 stars out of 5 because i love the way the doesn't understand things like a lemon sherbert and other foods

28 Jul 2025

Well narrated story of tolerance and making the right decisions

27 Jul 2025

I like this book because it talks about how important refuge kids (and adults) are.

26 Jul 2025

I recommend this book because it’s about a refugee who had to fleet to a different country. It’s really emotional and it’s really nice.

25 Jul 2025

Incredible story of how children may see refugees who join their class and the kindness and generosity that humans have.

20 Jul 2025

it is goated

20 Jul 2025

It has a good message to spread and its continues to speak out about the struggles of refugees

14 Jul 2025

I liked when Leo got the pomegranate and gave it to Ahmed and I would recommend it to others because it shows that a little act of kindness goes a long way

12 Jul 2025

This book was amazing!! It is one of my favourite books!

12 Jul 2025

very good

30 Jun 2025

A feel good novel as seen through the eyes of children, with a happy ending!

09 Jun 2025

I recommend it. It's about a Syrian boy called Ahmet.

03 Jan 2025

My favourite novel and book

02 Dec 2024

It was about a boy from Syria and it was amazing but his sister died in the medditeanian sea

08 Sep 2024

Amazing story of friendship and courage. Emotional, funny, gripping, my class loved it and all adults I know!

04 Sep 2024

It was a nice story as the refugee had 3 friend helping him settle in to his new school and country.

04 Sep 2024

I really enjoyed it and it put a realism in it because some people do get unfortunately bullied in school , but some people try to stop the bullying in the story and I’m really happy that it happened because Ahmet seemed really affected by the bullies .

02 Sep 2024

Unexpectedly different to what you would think. A great book that talks all about the amazing journey the boy at the back of the class went through and what the little girl had done for him.

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