The Boy at the Back of the Class
by Onjali Q Raúf
Interest age: 7 to 11
Reading age: 10+
Published by Orion, 2018
About this book
This is the story about how one ordinary nine-year-old child and three classmates are full of empathy for Ahmet, a boy that comes to their school as a refugee from Syria (he is the boy at the back of the class).
Through their sensitivity, curiosity, ingenuity, bravery and innocent niceness, they make a massive impact on Ahmet’s life, friends, class, school, community and wider world. There’s a lovely lack of stereotyping on gender and backstory for the narrator, which adds to the message of not judging people before you know them.
An inspiring and sweet tale that will help children think about what it is to be a good person whatever your circumstances (the narrator is from a poor background with a single parent mum who struggles to make ends meet), and challenge prejudice and push for fairness, whenever possible.
This is a beautiful, open-hearted debut from Onjali Q Raúf that should help children be the best they can be and realise the power of kindness.
About the author
What to read next
We know that children can get hooked on a favourite book series or author and struggle to find something they love as much, but we’re here to help.
-
The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf is a bestseller and beloved by children - but which other stories might its fans enjoy? We've got some ideas and would love to hear your thoughts too!
More books like this
-
The Game I Will Never Forget
by Onjali Q Raúf
9 to 14 years
-
The Girl at the Front of the Class
by Onjali Q Raúf, illustrated by Pippa Curnick
4 to 7 years
-
The Letter With the Golden Stamp
by Onjali Q Raúf, illustrated by Pippa Curnick
9 to 14 years
-
Where Magic Grows
by Onjali Q Raúf, illustrated by Katarzyna Doszla
5 to 9 years
Lists of recommended reads
-
Talking about war and conflict
When war is in the news, children can often pick up on what's going on and feel upset or anxious. It can be hard to know how to talk to young people about conflict, but these books could help to spark discussions about war and its consequences.
-
Books to read aloud to ages 7 and 8
Children love being read to, as a group and one-on-one, even once they can read fluently themselves. In a group, it's a chance to spark excitement over what might happen next, whereas one-on-one, it's an opportunity to bond and to discuss anything unfamiliar. This selection of books contains gripping stories, funny situations and poetry that will make children smile.
-
11 great books for 10 year olds
11 great books for 10-year-olds
-
100 Best Books 9-11
Take a look at our pick of the best books for 9-11 year olds from the last 100 years.