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The Boy At the Back of the Class

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The Boy At the Back of the Class

By: Onjali Q. Raúf, Pippa Curnick
Narrated by: Imogen Wilde
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About this listen

 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. . .

(P) 2018 Hachette Children's Group©2018 Onjali Q. Raúf Fiction Growing Up Growing Up & Facts of Life Literature & Fiction Friendship Refugee Heartfelt

Critic Reviews

Raul's book is at once tearjerking and chuckle-inducing and will go a long way to restore faith in human nature.
Onjali Raúf's debut, The Boy at the Back of the Class (Orion), illustrated by Pippa Curnick, offers a child's eye view and an ambitious, adventure-filled plot. When a new boy is introduced at school, no one is exactly sure where he has come from; what is a "refugee kid", anyway, and how can Ahmet be helped to feel that he belongs? Though the narrator's voice is overly young at times, this is a lovely, warm-hearted first novel, a celebration of courage and friendship leavened with mischief.
All stars
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My football, skating, gamer son has listened to this book over 10 times!

I think you can't get a better recommendation than that.

"Awesome" was the response after reading from a 12 yr old boy's mouth

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One of the the best books I have ever read in my entire life. I totally recommend this book and for others to read it. I am really sympathetic for the refugees and my mum is a teacher and she has lots of refugees in her class. Awesome, keep up the great work Onjali!.

Awesome 😎

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My daughter recommended we listen to this on a long road trip. I was trying to talk her into something she hadn't read before but she put her foot down because she said she thought I'd really like it.

She couldn't have been more right.

I found myself in tears many times. We would often pause it and have conversations about some of the issues it raised. I'm so impressed how well the author managed to introduce the refugee perspective to kids, so gently, with so much compassion and fun. It even empowers kids to question views other adults or even their parents may have.

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