There’s a buzz in the classroom. The chair at the back of the class, empty since a classmate moved away; is now occupied by a new boy. But he
doesn’t talk, or even look at anyone to begin with. Everyone wants to know more than just his name – Ahmet. Where is he from? Does he have any brothers and sisters? Does he like playing football too?
One girl in the class makes a special effort to welcome Ahmet, and despite a classroom thug (Brendan the bully) and his mates, Ahmet slowly comes out of his shell. He might come from Syria and hardly knows any English at all, but he does love Tintin books and is good on the football pitch.
The more the class learn about Ahmet, the more the girl and her friends want to make him feel welcome. When the class hears about the bombs and war that Ahmet had to run from, the boys in particular are impressed, but what about his family? He was being fostered now, so where was his mum and dad?
Plans are put in place to help Ahmet, with little thought for danger, royal guards or police getting involved. But suddenly, ‘The Best Plan in the World’ is broadcasted all over their world, and Ahmet and his new friends are all over the newspapers and TV. Is being kind to someone who looks and sounds different such a big deal?
Wow. With all that is going on in the world, and especially the UK (where this novel is set), The Boy at the Back of the Class is still so relevant – 6 years after it was published.
The courage of a 9 3/4 girl and her friends is so heart warming as they do all they can to make a new boy named Ahmet feel welcome. Told in this young girl’s point of view (we never learn her name), this story strikes at my heart as she tries to make sense of the new boy in her class.
At first he doesn’t come to the playground at recess or lunchtimes, won’t look up from his desk or speak when she tries to talk to him. She notices his ‘lion’ eyes when he finally does, and tries even harder to make him feel welcome. As most nearly ten year old’s do, she has a zillion questions to ask, so tries to answer them herself through books and asking her librarian mum.
The more she learns, the more intrigued she becomes about this boy from a country called Syria, who speaks something called Kurdish. He slowly comes out of his shell with the help of a teacher aide who speaks his language, and kindness from the main character and her friends.
Racism, prejudice and misinformation is shown brilliantly to young readers through classroom gossip, overhead conversations via parents or on public transport, then more forcefully through outspoken neighbours, a local MP and newspaper headlines.
A beautifully told story of understanding, kindness and compassion for differences among us – from children untainted by politics and hate.
Wow! Simply loved it. Tissues were required.
Author – Onjali Q. Raúf
Illustrator – Pippa Curnick
Age – 9+
WINNER OF THE BLUE PETER BOOK AWARD 2019
WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN’S BOOK PRIZE 2019
SHORTLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE 2019
Find more reviews of this author’s books here
(2018, UK, England, Syria, Refugee, School, Buckingham Palace, Queen’s Guard, Queen Elizabeth, Bullies, Bullying, Bombs, Friendship, Standing up for someone, Prejudice, Racism, Borders, Courage)