What to Read After... The Unforgotten Coat

Frank Cottrell-Boyce’s poignant tale of two Mongolian refugees and their experiences of moving to Liverpool has captured the hearts and minds of many readers since its publication in 2011 and is still used as a primary text in many schools. 

Now, to celebrate Frank’s new role as the Waterstones Children’s Laureate, we wanted to share our suggestions for what to read after The Unforgotten Coat. We have highlighted some more of Cottrell-Boyce’s wonderful books as well as other authors work who have explored similar themes around refugees, migration and multiculturalism.  

Other titles by Waterstones Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce 

If you loved the style and the challenging themes that made The Unforgotten Coat so enchanting, you will be sure to enjoy some of Frank’s other books.  

Millions, which also exists as a brilliant film, tells the story of a boy who finds a bag of stolen money by a railway. This event introduces a complicated moral dilemma which the protagonist battles with throughout the book. As with many of Cottrell-Boyce’s books, this moral complexity is complemented by humour and lightness of touch.   

For a more whimsical tale, why not try Wonder Brothers? A tale of two budding magicians who end up investigating the vanishing of the Blackpool tower. This title fizzes with magic and side-splitting humour –showcasing Cottrell-Boyce’s natural talent for comedy writing. He even learned some magic tricks of his own especially for it!  

Another hilarious and absurd adventure, Noah’s Gold, follows a group of marooned schoolchildren who find a map seeminglyleading to a treasure hoard. This story is told through a series of letters written by Noah, and it focuses on themes of friendship, teamwork and the role of technology in modern society. 

Books about refugees and migration 

If the themes of migration and refuge in The Unforgotten Coat inspired you to read more about this important subject, then you should check out the following contemporary titles which cover similar themes. 

When Stars are Scattered is an incredibly unique graphic novel which tells the story of the lived experience of its author, Omar Mohamed. It follows he and his brother’s journey as they grow up in a large refugee camp known as Dadaab in Kenya. This important story is filled with contrasting emotions of hope and desolation, love and cruelty, comfort and hardship. The graphic novel format makes it appealing and accessible to readers, but readers should be aware that it contains themes which are hard-hitting. 

In Running on the Roof of the World readers are introduced to Tash and Sam, two children who must flee occupied Tibet for the safety of India. Similar themes of displacement, freedom and cultural integration are explored in this title, but in a slightly more optimistic way – focusing more on the overarching importance of compassion and friendship. 

Elizabeth Laird’s excellent book Welcome to Nowhere features a boy called Omar and his escape from conflict in Syria. Laird expertly avoids over politicising this text and manages to skilfully distil a complex situation into an understandable, rich story which promotes empathy and understanding for all victims of war. 

Books exploring multiculturalism 

A contemporary classic and a popular choice for school reading lists is Onjali Rauf’s The Boy at the Back of the Class. Ahmet is a refugee from Syria who has recently joined a school in the UK. Rauf’s story follows his progress and the interactions he has with some incredibly empathetic classmates. This book challenges many stereotypes including those associated with race, gender and class and celebrates the power of empathy and community. 

Bird Boy features two child characters who have been moved to the English countryside; the protagonist Will who is recovering from the loss of his mother and his new friend Omar who is fleeing war in Afghanistan. Through their shared love for an injured osprey, the two boys find solace in their new life and learn to trust again. A beautifully written book which explores the emotional impact of grief and recovery. 

A huge part of The Unforgotten Coat is Julie’s learning journey as she discovers more and more of the cultural heritage of the two Mongolian brothers. Compassion and empathy are often brought about by understanding people’s cultures and their histories. Sanghera’s Stolen History is a non-fiction text that sheds a light on the rich, multicultural tapestry that is modern British history.  

Books for older readers 

For those who may have read The Unforgotten Coat in year 6 and are now looking for an even more challenging text with similar themes, try one of these hand-selected titles that we think you will find compelling.  

Manjeet Mann’s The Crossing is a challenging but important read. It is written in verse and from dual perspectives – one a girl from the South coast of the UK and the other a refugee seeking safety in the UK after fleeing Eritrea. Hearing both sides of the refugee experience feels unique, and Mann’s poetic writing style makes a very difficult subject feel more accessible. With some swearing in the dialogue, and many bleak events, it's suitable for older readers, of at least 13. 

Featuring a similar plot to The Unforgotten Coat, Miriam Halahmy’s Hidden also incorporatesa UK school setting and deals with issues of empathy and cultural integration. The protagonist Alix defends Iraqi refugee Samir from bullies and finds herself pulled into his world. In the process, she develops new levels of understanding and empathy for those seeking refuge.  

Illegal tells the story of Ebo, a 12-year-old boy who flees grinding poverty, zero opportunities and a drunken uncle in his small village in Africa.The story is in graphic novel format and is immediately gripping and engaging. Although Ebo’s story is fictional, every element of it has been inspired by facts, based on extensive interviews and research.