The Boy At the Back of the Class
Onjali Q. Raúf, Pippa Curnick
Subjects
- Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
- Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Average rating
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
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’
Reviews
This book made me cry because I hate knowing that horrible things like war are happening to people everyday. It teaches to be grateful for what we have and understand what other people might have been through I would recommend this book
Nurse Flossy Spaghetti-Hoops 30.07.2026
I really enjoyed this book and it showed the unbreakable power of friendship.
Professor Babs Squirrel 25.07.2026
Star Reviewer
It was a boy who traveled to England and my favorite person was Aphmat because he was new and really good at football I would recommend this to a person who loves playing football
General Marge Sequins 23.07.2026
Star Reviewer
This is a fiction book ,I like this book because it was very creative and unique .My favorite character was Ahmet because his journey from Syria to England.I would recommend this book to someone who likes the author of this book which is Onjali q Rauf.
Senorita Kiki Turkey 22.07.2026
It is a heartfelt book about a refugee boy named Ahmet . He makes friends with Alexa , Michael , Josie and Tom. The friends go to the Queen to tell her about poor boys like him. They soon become famous and take down Brendan the bully. Ahmet's family is found and life is amazing for them.
Princess Daisy Vampire 20.07.2026
Star Reviewer
I really liked this book. It was very intriguing and interesting. I didn't like Mr Greggs, Mr Irons or Brendan The Bully.
Mademoiselle Bunny Heronimus 19.07.2026
I liked ahmet, with his skills in football and his bravery, but I didn't like Jennie, if that is what you call her.
Corporal Geronimo Hammersmith 19.07.2026
This was amazing. It was about a refuge boy called Ahmed who stood up for himself against a bully. I like Ahmed because he was confident. I would recommend to people who like a non-fiction books.
Prince Slip Armadillo 18.07.2026
I loved how the boy and his friends tried to welcome the refugee boy and tried to be his friend
Professor Fandango Frankenstein 18.07.2026
It’s sad but good. I find friends hard too
Lord Snoopy Racoon 17.07.2026
I like the description in it. My favourite character was the narrator as he was kind and always looked after his friend refugee named Amhet. I would recommend it to all my friends and family members
Captain Chilli Flattery 16.07.2026
This is a book about a refugee boy and his friends. It felt like a real adventure with themes of death and exclusion. It was very interesting to learn about the world from the perspective of a refugee child. It was very intense and exciting but it also made me feel a bit sad.
Mademoiselle Viper Possum 16.07.2026
very interesting and educational
Lady Beryl Ridiculous 15.07.2026
This book is very sad. I was quite sad about how it ended as well.
Professor Cynthia Teabag 13.07.2026
lovely book i enjoy every page of it
Ambassador Viktor Submarine 11.07.2026
I really enjoyed it I liked how there was always an adventure
Principal Flopsy Peninsula 11.07.2026
We read this book in school and I liked it because it was a refugee child and the narrator wanted to become friends with him. I likes it because I don’t see many books about refugees and it’s fun that we are learning it in English (we read the book beforehand)
Principal Blueberry Yo-yo 09.07.2026
A boy called Ahmed (a refugee) came from Syria. Brenda- the- bully does not like people who are different from him
Judge Esmerelda Toothpaste 07.07.2026
I love how Alexa and her friends make Ahmet feel like he belongs there and not make him feel like a stranger also they protect him from being bullied and help find his parents
Coach Hopscotch Quagmire 06.07.2026
An insprining story about refugees and their lives
Princess Aspidistra Heronimus 30.06.2026
