The Boy At the Back of the Class

The Boy at the Back of the Class is a touching middle-grade debut that offers a child's perspective on the Syrian refugee crisis. The story revolves around Ahmet, a nine-year-old Syrian refugee, who fills an empty chair in Mrs. Khan's classroom. As his classmates learn about Ahmet's harrowing journey and separation from his family, they band together to devise a plan to reunite him with his loved ones. Told with both humor and heart, the book highlights the importance of friendship, kindness, and being an ally in a world that often doesn't make sense. It has received accolades including the Blue Peter Book Award and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, and has been shortlisted for the Jhalak Prize.