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
‘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’
Reviews
I read it all about it there is a new boy and his name is ahmet he is a refugee
Judge Pansy Fascination 13.09.2026
Very good book and I would recommend
Professor Beryl Desperado 11.09.2026
This book starts with a bunch of friends, and a refugee who’s moved into the class. It’s quite ingenious from the author (but only a tiny bit boring) how the story begins with the friends gradually starting to like refugee Ahmet more and more, and how he’s starting to learn English more and more, and he reveals his story more and more, and how they want to help him more and more. Then, they form a plan to help him, and become famous for stopping the Queen’s guards to help him (This review is all in a nutshell) I can believe that someone did do that, and that it would appear all over the news. And I can believe that the person involved (judging by that she’s a dark-skinned girl) would see some racism. But, it’s a light-hearted book. I’d highly recommend it. 5 stars out of 5.
Lord Cornetto Aardvark 06.09.2026
The book was very interesting and i liked the end
General Flopsy Bottlenose 02.09.2026
The Boy at the Back of the Class is a super sweet and exciting book about a kid whose class gets a brand-new student named Ahmet, who sits in the very back row and is really quiet. After trying to become his friend by giving him lemon drops, the narrator and a group of friends find out that Ahmet is actually a refugee who had to escape a scary war in Syria and got separated from his family. When they hear that the gates to the country might close forever, they come up with a massive, top-secret plan called "The Greatest Plot in the World" to sneak past guards and ask the Queen of England for help! It is an awesome story that shows how far you will go for a friend and how being kind can totally change someone's life.
Don Portobello Nuggets 31.08.2026
This book was fun to read and I would recommend it to other people to read it and I learnt a lots of facts on wars.
Captain Angel Dalmatian 30.08.2026
i love Ms Hemsi and am so glad they found his parents in the end
Coach Blueberry Rollercoaster 27.08.2026
This is a very good book as I found it very relatable to real life
Master Itchy Piccalilli 26.08.2026
I read this book with my mummy - a chapter a night. I liked this book as I learnt about refugees. I moved schools last year and know how hard it can be. Like in the book, I now have lots of friends and am happy.
Senorita Blossom Fascination 26.08.2026
its a book about a reffugee that comes from syria. his friends try to find his parents
Corporal Pirate Menace 23.08.2026
it was nice
Inspector Pluto Biscuits 19.08.2026
Amazing! Such an inspiring message to young people to welcome the weak and helpless into our lives
Madam Kangaroo Bertrand 15.08.2026
Great
Duchess Fifi Teacup 07.08.2026
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