This book was definitely an eye opener for the younger crowd. This book featured a young boy who wasn't like everyone else who was picked on due to his nationality. During the course of the novel his classmates started to accept him and I really enjoyed the book.

What an excellent book about the refugee crisis for kids and adults alike. The story is told with grace and humor and will have the reader experiencing a wide range of emotions. I hope every elementary school provides a copy of this one.

I did not finish - I have tried reading this book on multiple occasions and just could not get into it.

I had the opportunity to review this book through an online book club called Book Posse. This book is written at a high-level. It is a great fit for middle-level students. It offers lots of opportunities to talk about cultural differences and immigration. It is fitting for everything that is going on in our world today.

There are times when a middle grade novel comes along, and does such a brilliant job of talking about important topics like struggles of refugees on foreign land. The Boy at the Back of the Class is a book that I feel everyone should read.

The highlight of the story, is the main character and narrator, Alexa. There are so many small things which I admired about her. She is curious, inquisitive, and doesn’t hold barriers to befriend someone different from her. She wants to learn more about Ahmet to help him, and has wonderful friends like Josie, Michael and Tom. Also, I found myself laughing out loud in some scenes like when Alexa winks at Ahmet with both eyes. She also shares a beautiful bond with her mother, and I loved the part where they went around town looking for a pomegranate.

The author has done a terrific job for her debut novel. The story has action, adventure, humor, drama, a little bit of everything for this genre. She also wrote Ahmet in a wonderful manner. Ahmet is a character that your heart goes out to as soon he appears in the story. I got teary eyed when he presented life and family back in Syria, and how they escaped. The author also tackles the issue of bullying. She wrote Brendan and Mr. Irons nicely, where you love to hate them. Moreover, I also loved all the Tintin references, as it is one of my favorite comics from childhood.

The illustrations by Pippa Curnick add so well to the story, and reminds me of the illustrations by Nick Sharratt (who did the illustrations on the Tracy Beaker books by Jacqueline Wilson). Overall, I loved everything about this book!

We've seen many children's books about Syrian refugees in the past couple of years. This one is very well written and accessible to younger readers.

Beautiful book about how an eight year old tries to befriend a new student who turns out to be a refugee. Through gentle acts of courage, we learn more about Ahmet who smiles at fruits that remind him of his home country and sets a group of concerned students onto a plan to help save other refugee children like him.
Touching, tender and sweet, praise to Raúf for taking the time with this book and proving compassion and love transcends.

A good look at differences; I would put this in the category of a WONDER, or OPERATION FROG EFFECT. Students will enjoy this

An engaging read about an exuberant kid who tries really hard to help her new friend, a Syrian refugee. Lots of silly antics, but not a silly book. The friendships rang true, and I think young readers will connect with the narrator and her relationships with both her friends and her family, and her desire to help her friend who is in real need of support.

I'm entirely on board with Rauf's aim with this book. Personally, though, I found the approach to be a misstep. There's a little too much "it's precious when kids misunderstand". The innocence of youth lighting the way for self-interested adults. That kind of thing. Adults may find that sweet but it doesn't always land with young readers. Even though I find the line by line reading less than ideal, though, I sill recommend this book. Because not enough authors are writing about refugees and the impact of war for a young audience. We need to see the stresses of refugees, the difficulty of fighting in to a new culture, especially when the media is full of voices condemning your very existence. Rauf even manages to add in messages about the complexity of dealing with bullies for kids and adults. This is a book that will speak to the right kid at the right moment.

This was the first middle grade book I have read in a while and let me say I didn't know what to expect at first but I loved this book! This book hit a hard topic about acceptance and fitting in and it did it in a way where you felt the pain and happiness of all the characters and I was so here for it

It's three weeks after the beginning of a new school year and suddenly there's a new boy named Ahmet sitting in what had up until then been an empty seat. But while he may be a student in Mrs. Khan's class, he doesn't ever participate, nor does he go to lunch or out into the schoolyard with the other kids. No one knows where he goes during lunch break, so naturally all kinds of wild rumors abound. And although the narrator Alexa, age 9, keeps making friendly overtures to Ahmet, it is to no avail. But when Alexa and her friends Josie, Tom, and Michael overhear teachers talking about Ahmet, they learn he is a refugee kid and that no one speaks his language.

The school finally brings in a class assistant to work with Ahmet. Meanwhile, Alexa and her friends keep trying to be friends with him, until finally Ahmet is allowed to go out and play in the schoolyard with the other kids. And imagine their delight when they discover he can kick a mean football/soccer ball - well, everyone except Brandon the class bully who hates everyone who's different.

Little by little, Ahmet's story comes out and the kids learn that his family had had to escape Syria when the fighting there began, and that his baby sister had drowned crossing the Mediterranean Sea, and that he had somehow become separated from his parents and doesn't know where they are.

Alexa's father had passed away when she was little, and now her mother has to work long hours, so she has some idea of how Ahmet must be missing his parents. She also learns that her Austrian grandmother had had to escape the Nazis in WWII and that she had then worked to help other escape, too. All of which is why, when she overhears that the border is closing in a week and the United Kingdom won't be accepting any more refugees, she and her friends decide to do something about reuniting Ahmet with his parents.

When the first plan Alexa, Tom, Josie, and Michael come up doesn't produce results, Alexa come up with "the Greatest Idea in the World." This plan consists of getting a letter to the Queen explaining Ahmet's situation, the urgency of reuniting him with his parents before it's too late, and asking for her help. After putting the plan into action, the kids end up becoming front page news in the newspapers and on television. All of this bring the plight of refugees to the fore, which is good, and it also brings out people's true feelings - both positive and negative - about the refugee crisis.

Narrated in the first person by a very empathic Alexa, this is a book that looks at the refugee crisis with humor but does not skirt the serious problems faced by refugees. From learning a new language, to making friends, fighting off bullies, dealing with those who dislike and resent all refugees, to mourning the loss of his sister, missing and worrying about his parents and homesickness, Raúf has written a moving middle grade story that highlights the kinds of things Ahmet, and all refugees, must deal with.

Some may feel that this book is too British for American readers, but I don't think that should be a problem for today's readers, and that's not what's important. What is important is Ahmet's story shows what a difference friends can make in the life of a scared child. This is a warmhearted, feel good story that ends on a very hopeful note, but in case you are afraid it is just another "white savior" story, check page 231 first.

I should say that when I read The Boy At the Back of the Class, I had no idea what the narrator's gender is. Her name doesn't appear until the end of the book. And it was kind of fun not knowing, but unfortunately, it has been used in reviews and I followed suit. I feel like this is a spoiler, but I hope I can be forgiven.

Raúl has included some important back matter to help you readers learn and understand more about refugees. Among other things, there are questions to think about and an interesting chart to fill out. Do read the Author's Note for some important background that lead to the creation of The Boy At the Back of the Class.

This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was bought for my personal library

The sentiment behind this book is beautiful, as are the actions of the four children who band together to help their new friend, Ahmet, find his family.

Ahmet is a Syrian refugee, and his family was separated during their travels from Syria to Europe. As if that wasn’t difficult enough, the young boy has to deal with the social intricacies of life as a nine-year-old in a new school. Luckily for Ahmet, he’s able to make a few good friends. Unluckily, he also attracts the attention of the class bully.

What ends up happening in the last third of the book might not be the most realistic vision of our current reality, but it definitely reflects where we should be and how people should respond to the plight of refugees.

The ending is a tear-jerker, so be prepared. This book is a good way to introduce children to the topic of refugees, and it also makes a good case for why you should always stand up for your friends and speak out against bigotry.

I do think that the story is written with less sophistication than many other modern (and not so modern) middle grade books. Technically, middle grade is meant for readers aged 8-12, but the more simplistic nature of the writing style will probably make this one suitable for the 8-10 crowd only. And that’s a real shame because the lovely message behind this book deserves to be read and enjoyed by as many people as possible.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

Rauf's story focuses on life as a refugee and the battles one child faced as he went through a school year. It is a topic that is very much needed, but this story was not for me and I found much of it to be a trudge to get through.

Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to read an advance reader's copy.

A wonderful and timely novel that will help middle graders gain some insight into the refugee crisis. Ahmet is the new boy at the back of the class. He doesn't speak English and he looks very sad. A group of his classmates befriend Ahmet and learn that he is a refugee. They are inspired by his story to come up with a brave and risky mission to try to help Ahmet and his family with a few interesting surprises. I read this to my kids (boy age 9 and girl age 11) and we all loved it. Filled with adventure, humor and loads of compassion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Books for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

Enjoyable by kids and parents: Yes
Kids chose reading over extra screen time: Yes
Offensive Language: None
Violence: Some - there is some hitting and bullying.
Adult Concepts: The refugee crisis is obviously front and center in this book and while deaths are mentioned and it is heart-wrenching at times, it is handled well for the middle grade audience.
Age Range: 8 and up

The Boy at the Back of the Class
by Onjali Q. Raúf

Random House Children's

Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Children's Fiction

Pub Date 06 Aug 2019



I am reviewing a copy of The Boy at the Back of the Class through Delacorte Books for Young Readers:



There was an empty chair at the back of Mrs Khan’s classroom, but on the third Tuesday of the new school year it is filled by a new kid, a Syrian Refugee named Ahmet.



Everyone is curious about the new kid in class. He doesn’t seem to smile and he doesn’t talk much! After learning that Ahmet fled from a very real war and ended up being separated from his family along the way a group of his classmates come together to concoct the Greatest Idea in the World, a magnificent plan to reunite Ahmet with his loved ones.




This book tales the Refugees story with humor and heart, sharing the story or the Refugee crisis in the way kids can.


I give The Boy in the Back Of the Class five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

Writing: 4/5 Plot: 3/5 Characters: 3/5

This is a British story about the Syrian refugee crisis — focused on one small boy and given a fairy tale ending. 9-year old Alexa gets excited from the first moment she sees the new boy — Ahmet — sitting quietly at the back of the room. She and her three friends befriend him and are introduced to his plight just as the UK is moving to stop the flow of refugees completely by “closing the gates.” Alexa conceives the “MOST AMAZING PLAN” (backed up with an “Emergency Plan”) to help keep the gates open, help Ahmet find his family, and deal with the “haters” of the world (with clearly marked names such as “Mrs. Grimsby” in case you are in doubt as to who they are).

The book is sweet and does an excellent job of portraying the refugee crisis in real human terms by describing one boy’s very sad situation. I do feel that the story was oversimplified and did not like the way everyone was depicted (literally) as “good guys” and “bad guys.” While I support trying to find a real solution to refugee problems, this book was written as a very heavy handed propaganda piece. Anyone who doesn’t absolutely support unlimited refugee immigration is labeled (literally) a “bully,” a “hater,” “heartless,” “selfish,” and by implication stupid, and irrational. I don’t think that was necessary — it would have been just as effective a book if she had focussed on one young refugee’s experience, the way the kids had helped bring attention to his plight, and some positive messages about how refugees can be helped and integrated into society, without including all the nasty labels and overly simplified and often inaccurate portrayals of those with other opinions.

A child in the class — “Brendan the Bully” — is portrayed as a terrible boy with no possibility of education or redemption. And when explaining what is happening in Syria, Alexa’s mother explains: “The bad people are just much stronger than they are and like to feel big and powerful by bullying them. You see, some people think that by taking things away from other people and hurting them, it gives them more power, and the more power they have, the more they want and the greedier they get. So they go on hurting more and more people until everyone wants to run away.” Is that really an accurate description of the Syrian civil war? I don’t think so — and I think that oversimplifying problems for children by blaming and labeling whole groups of people as simply irredeemably bad is a very dangerous proposition.

When a new refugee boy from Syria arrives at Alexa’s London school, she can’t wait to be friends with him. However, Ahmed doesn’t talk or make eye contact. Alexa and her friends learn that Ahmed was in a real war and has been separated from his family. When Alexa and her friends hear that England is going to shut the borders, they decide they must go to the Queen to help Ahmed be reunited with his family. They go to the palace in person, tangling with the guards, and getting in big trouble but it eventually leads to media attention and a happy solution. Showing the power of individuals to make a difference, this moving gem of a novel ultimately is about human kindness and friendship. It will be an essential addition to your homes, classrooms, and libraries.

My son and I enjoyed this book. We were able to spend quality time together to get through it. I hope other patents enjoyed it as much as well.

This was a good read for a children’s/middle grade book. The pace of the book was just right, keeping the reader engaged and interested as the story progressed. I can honestly say that I was not aware of the main character’s gender until the middle of the story when the description of “daughter” was used. However, this did not affect the story for me.

I did feel that the ending may have been a little abrupt, but understand the importance of the ending and keeping the intended audience in mind. The author, Onjali Q. Raúf, did a good job at portraying a sensitive subject on a level all will understand and possibly make a connection with,