The Boy at the Back of the Class

Authors: Raúf, Onjali Q.
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
BISAC/Subject: JUV039250, JUV039060, JUV035000
ISBN: 9781984850799, Related ISBNs: 1984850784, 1984850792, 1984850806, 1984850814, 9781984850782
Classification: Non-Fiction
Number of pages: 304,
Audience: Children/juvenile
Synopsis: Told with humor and heart, The Boy at the Back of the Class offers 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 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 bands together to concoct the Greatest Idea in the World--a magnificent plan to reunite Ahmet with his loved ones.

This accessible, kid-friendly story about the refugee crisis highlights the community-changing potential of standing as an ally and reminds readers that everyone deserves a place to call home.

"This moving and timely debut novel tells an enlightening, empowering, and ultimately hopeful story about how compassion and a willingness to speak out can change the world." --School Library Journal, Starred Review

Overall Winner of the 2019 UK Waterstones Children's Book Prize
Winner of the 2019 UK Blue Peter Book Award
A CLIP Carnegie Medal Children's Book Award Nominee
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