Delacorte Press | 978-1984850782
On the third week of school, something surprising happens. The principal introduces a new boy. He sits in the only open seat, at the back of the class.
Throughout the day, the students sneak glances. Most of the time the new boy keeps his head down. Who is he? Where is he from?
At lunch, Josie, Tom, Michael, and the main character – whose name we don’t learn until the end of the book – look the new boy, hoping to show him the playground, help him learn his way around. Was he having lunch with the lower grades by mistake?
In the classroom, Mrs. Khan, the teacher, spends more time with Ahmet than any of the others.
“Maybe he’s deaf,” someone whispered.
“Maybe he can’t speak English?” muttered someone.
“There’s definitely something wrong with him!” whispered everyone.
Over time, the children begin to learn more: Ahmet is a refugee from Syria who’s become separated from his mother and father.
When the main character comes up with “The Greatest Idea in the World,” the friends join together to carry out the “Emergency Plan.” It’s exactly the kind of plan that only children would be bold enough to dream up and brave enough to try.
This timely debut sensitively introduces young readers to the plight of refugees, while also empowering them with hope, courage, and the knowledge that they, too, can make a difference.
With humor and heart, author Onjali Q. Raúf reminds readers that “a little kindess goes a long way.”
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- Enjoy this exceptional Ted Talk by the author on the 8 words that inspired her to write The Boy at the Back of the Class
- Listen to author Onjali Q Raúf read from the book
- Learn more about the author and her book in this video interview
