The Boy at the Back of the Class

In the vein of timely titles such as Katherine Applegate's Wishtree and Alan Gratz's Refugee comes a touching, accessible middle-grade debut about the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis, as well as the life-changing power of friendship and standing as an ally. There used to be an empty chair at the back of Mrs. Khan's classroom, but on the third Tuesday of the school year a new kid fills it: nine-year-old Ahmet, a Syrian refugee. The whole class is curious about this new boy--he doesn't seem to smile, and he doesn't talk much. But after learning that Ahmet fled a Very Real War" and was separated from his family along the way, a determined group of his classmates band together to concoct the Greatest Idea in the World--a magnificent plan to reunite Ahmet with his loved ones. Balancing humor and heart, this relatable story about the refugee crisis from the perspective of kids highlights the community-changing potential of standing as an ally and reminds readers that everyone deserves a place to call home. Overall Winner of the 2019 Waterstones Children's Book Prize Winner of the 2019 Blue Peter Book Award "Tearjerking and chuckle-inducing. . . . Above all it celebrates the power of kindness." -- The Sunday Post (Scotland) "Inspiring and sweet. . . . This is a beautiful, open-hearted debut from Onjali Q Ra?f that should help children be the best they can be and realise the power of kindness." --BookTrust (UK) "An engaging exploration of the refugee crisis through the eyes of a child." --Readings (Australia)

In the vein of timely titles such as Katherine Applegate's Wishtree and Alan Gratz's Refugee comes a touching, accessible middle-grade debut about the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis, as well as the life-changing power of friendship and standing as an ally. There used to be an empty chair at the back of Mrs. Khan's classroom, but on the third Tuesday of the school year a new kid fills it: nine-year-old Ahmet, a Syrian refugee. The whole class is curious about this new boy--he doesn't seem to smile, and he doesn't talk much. But after learning that Ahmet fled a Very Real War" and was separated from his family along the way, a determined group of his classmates band together to concoct the Greatest Idea in the World--a magnificent plan to reunite Ahmet with his loved ones. Balancing humor and heart, this relatable story about the refugee crisis from the perspective of kids highlights the community-changing potential of standing as an ally and reminds readers that everyone deserves a place to call home. Overall Winner of the 2019 Waterstones Children's Book Prize Winner of the 2019 Blue Peter Book Award "Tearjerking and chuckle-inducing. . . . Above all it celebrates the power of kindness." -- The Sunday Post (Scotland) "Inspiring and sweet. . . . This is a beautiful, open-hearted debut from Onjali Q Ra?f that should help children be the best they can be and realise the power of kindness." --BookTrust (UK) "An engaging exploration of the refugee crisis through the eyes of a child." --Readings (Australia)

OVER HALF A MILLION COPIES SOLD IN THE UK ALONE! TRANSLATED INTO 20+ LANGUAGES 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 THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS STAGE PLAY NOMINATED FOR AN OLIVIER (UK) 2026 '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 AVAILABLE - FIND IT UNDER 'ALL FORMATS AND EDITIONS'*

OVER HALF A MILLION COPIES SOLD IN THE UK ALONE! TRANSLATED INTO 20+ LANGUAGES 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 THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS STAGE PLAY NOMINATED FOR AN OLIVIER (UK) 2026 '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 AVAILABLE - FIND IT UNDER 'ALL FORMATS AND EDITIONS'*