War, refugee, new school, friendship, determination, London, Stereotypes
The Boy at the Back of the Class
by Onjali Q. Raúf
Key information
Author: Onjali Q. Raúf
Illustrator: Pipps Curnick
Release Date: 12th July 2018
Star rating: ★★★★~
Book type: Chapter, 296 pages, paperback
Reader level: Growing reader (content 9+)
Age: Year 4+
Overview
The chair at the back of the class has always been empty, but now it no longer is; there is a new boy, Ahmet, sitting in it.
Ahmet is a young refugee who has recently joined school. He is very shy, but that doesn't matter. Curious to learn more about his home and the war he has fled, Alexa and her friends Tom, Josie and Michael, set our to learn as much as they can about Syria and how to make Ahmet feel welcome in his new home. Even more importantly, they have a wonderful plan to make everything better: they will find and reunite Ahmet with his family!
With their initial plans leading nowhere, and no-one else willing to help, the children decide that they should contact the Queen to see if she can find Ahmet's family. But before long, news that the British borders are to be closed reaches the friends and they realise that time to save Ahmet is running out. They decide to sneak away and race across London to speak with the Queen, however when they arrive they are faced with a major dilemma - the Queen isn't taking visitors. Desperate to help their new friend, the children cause chaos at the gates of Buckingham palace, ending up on the global news where they have a chance to share their message.
Key concepts/themes
- War
- Refugees
- Refugee Crisis
- Stereotypes
- Moving school
- Moving country
- Government
- Family
- Friendship
- Love
Considerations
- War
- Refugees
- Loss of family
Curriculum links
- RSHE - war and refugees, compassion, being new, making friends, stereotypes
Additional teaching opportunities
1. Writing
- Newspaper article (refugee crisis/children's performance at Buckingham Palace)
- Letter (to the Queen/from the Queen)
- Diary entry (Ahmet)
- Discussion text (helping refugees)
- Persuasive writing (help Ahmet find his family)
- Character description (Ahmet/Alexa)
- Setting description (Syria/London)
2. History
- Syrian war
- Wars in recent history
- History of refugee charity
3. Geography
- Syria
- London
4. Art
- Poster to help find Ahmet's family
5. IT
- News report (scripted and recorded)
Vocabulary
As this story is told in first person by a child, the majority of the language is very simple and accessible to children. There is, however, some Tier 3 vocabulary linked to refugees.
| Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
|---|---|
| Refugee, refugee crisis, government, borders, Syria, terrorist, High Court, High Court Judge, foster mum, MP |
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