The Boy At the Back of the Class

By Onjali Q. Rauf
Illustrated by Pippa Curnick

WINNER OF THE BLUE PETER BOOK AWARD 2019

WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE 2019

SHORTLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE 2019

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. . .

With beautiful illustrations by Pippa Curnick